Understanding Motivation and Inspiration

Motivation is the power to achieve one's goals. It can be defined as a natural ability to achieve one's goal in any given circumstances. For those that are seeking a way to motivate others to follow their dreams, motivation and inspiration can prove to be a major factor. Read on to discover how both motivation and inspiration can play an important role in your life.


The word motivation actually comes from the Latin word, "motive" which means the innate urges or drives inside an individual to take action. For many, inspiration can prove to be a very powerful source of inspiration. Many times we have seen people take action in spite of all the odds or external factors that might prevent them from achieving their goal. This is usually referred to as motivation. This is usually attributed to the outside force of the environment.

When you are working towards achieving your goal, it is very important to have motivation and inspiration. If you lack motivation and inspiration, it is very easy to give up as you may feel that you have already achieved the best that you can achieve. You must remember that the journey is always better than the destination. Many times we have failed because of not having the right mindset when it comes to putting in the best effort and working towards our objective. Inspiring others to take action is a very powerful tool if you want success to happen for you.

When it comes to the definition of motivation, it is based on the notion that an individual can become motivated by any sort of stimuli. Some may find it more effective to listen to music while driving to work or during long airplane flights. Others may find it more productive to read a motivating book during the commute to work or during a lonely dinner at a friend's house. These stimuli are very effective in directing the brain in the proper direction to allow one to become motivated.

If you are searching for the source of your motivation and inspiration, you must first understand the difference between being inspired and being motivated. Being inspired entails that you take immediate action regardless of whether the stimulus is a piece of information, a phone call from a friend or an unwanted impulse from a stranger. People who are motivated are able to focus on the task at hand and are not distracted by any form of stimulus.

Motivational speakers often use the term "inspiration" to describe this process. They believe that inspiration can be defined as the state of being fully awake and alert to the fact that the best effort that you have ever made is about to culminate in an achievement. If you have ever read any successful book, motivational books or motivational quotes online, you would notice that there is one common thread throughout these motivational pieces. The message is that there is always room for improvement. And even though there are those who have failed before you, it does not mean that you should give up and allow your failure to discourage you from continuing with your best effort.

Inspirational books and quotes are designed to inspire you to take a different approach when facing challenges. If you have read enough motivational books, you would notice the common theme of finding the courage to push forward regardless of whether you feel scared or discouraged. Most of us are able to apply this type of reasoning even in our daily lives. It does not matter if you are working at home, in school, at work or at play - there is always room for motivation and inspiration.


When it comes to motivation and inspiration, the meaning often differs from one individual to another. One person might compare inspiring quotes or book passages with a sudden burst of inspiration, while another might view inspiration in the same way as the steady flow of a river. There are many people who view inspiration in a completely different meaning, but the important thing to remember is that you can find whatever type of motivation and inspiration that works for you. The important thing is that you are able to recognize the various sudden burst of motivation and inspiration as the signal that it is time to move on with your life.