Be Inspired
February 23rd, 2009 Posted in Leadership, NewsletterI’ve been to Las Vegas several times in the past few weeks to speak. Yes, despite what the media says companies are having and should have meetings that bring their leaders and employees together to learn best practices, enhance relationships, improve teamwork, refocus and hear speakers like me. 
While taking a morning walk along the Vegas strip it occurred to me that Las Vegas is a lot like life. It offers a lot of everything-both the good and bad. Both the soul nourishing and the soul crushing. You can find what you want depending on what you are looking for and focusing on. You can focus on the negative things that bring you down or you can focus on the dancing fountains at the Bellagio, the stone carvings at the Venetian, the beautiful architecture of the Wynn hotel, the countless art galleries, and the genius of my favorite entertainer Danny Gans. You can find desperation or inspiration. It just depends what you are looking for.
With all the negative news lately I’ve found myself wanting to be inspired more than ever. So one night while I was sitting in my hotel room watching CNN, not inspired at all, I had a thought that I should go see a show and be inspired. I had never gone to a show by myself. I went down to the ticket office and told them I want to be inspired. They suggested a few shows and I decided on Jersey Boys. Boy was I inspired. It was amazing. I realized that you can’t always wait for inspiring moments to come to you. You have to find them.
This past wednesday night Tim Tebow, the quarterback for the Florida Gators, was speaking at a local church in our town. I had a million things going on and a million reasons not to go but I went and took my son with me. During his talk Tim said that he could just share football stories and talk about winning the national championship and the Heisman trophy or he could talk about what really matters. Faith. He talked about writing John 3:16 under his eyes during the national championship game and how 90 million people searched it on Google as a result. I, along with the other 900 people that were there that night, were glad we stopped the treadmill of life for a brief time to be inspired.
The world is full of so much negativity and pain right now but it is also full of so many amazing opportunities to be inspired. Inspiration is everywhere and I want to encourage you to seek it out and find it. Make time for it. You need it more than you realize.
Rent and watch inspirational movies. (Slumdog Millionaire) Play your favorite song. Read inspirational books. Enjoy more sun rises and sunsets. Watch American Idol (just mute Simon). Visit an art gallery. Go see a play or concert. Attend an energizing Sunday service. Go see a high school sports event. Whatever inspires you, seek it out and make it a part of you. Be inspired.
Where do you find inspiration? Share your comments here.
Stay Positive,
-Jon
www.JonGordon.com
www.TheEnergyBus.com
www.NoComplainingRule.com
Tags: be inspired, danny gans, inspiration, john 3:16, jon gordon, lav vegas, success, tim tebow
29 Responses to “Be Inspired”
By Lyndq on Feb 23, 2009
Running with my grandson (15 months old) on a 3 mile path really keeps me inspired…..
By Dana on Feb 23, 2009
Of the piles of newsletters and quotes I receive in my inbox every day, yours always stands out. Your heart-centered authenticity is a welcome relief and always very timely. Found my inspiration today, thank you!
By Crissie Cudd on Feb 23, 2009
I could not agree more. And “Slumdog Millionaire” is a great example on so many levels. While the news media may be full of negativity and despair, the entertainment media is offering inspiration in movies like “Slumdog” and “Milk” and many others. Hope and joy are out there. We just have to look.
By Pam on Feb 23, 2009
My inspiration comes from the many newsletters such as yours that I receive regularly. But I also love to watch animals/birds interact. There’s the swallow who’s partner was knocked by a car. He fed her till she died and then he stayed with her. Then there’s the dog who helped and dog that had been knocked on a busy highway by pulling him off the road. Elephants are phenomanal and so close to thinking like humans its scary. As with chimpanzees and their cousins. Watching animals teaches love, discipline and compassion.
Thanks for you inspiration
By karen coronado on Feb 23, 2009
Inspiration! Don’t leave home without it. I find it in nature. Solitude. There’s something beautiful in solitude in this fast paced world. You can get alone in your thoughts and THINK BIG dreams. It’s a gift that you unwrap… only to give to others.
By Melissa on Feb 23, 2009
Being fully, completely “present” when I’m with my children is my inspiration. Listening to them, and hearing exactly what they are saying (and perhaps not saying) inspires me to be more. It inspires me to model for them that anything is possible with faith and determination. Being present and completely “in the moment” with my amazing children inspires me.
By Michael C. Varela on Feb 23, 2009
Hello;
I love receiving the weekly Positive Tips.
After taking care of some items at work, I get my coffee and read the weekly Positive Tip received. It loads my mind with wonderful ideas and truly gets me going. I have even created a folder to store the Positive tips just in case you have targeted a subject that would inspire me on a particular day.
What inspires me is Art. Whether I just take a pencil or a brush, I am grateful because it’s a skill that not many people have. I’ve begun to take a sketch book with me everywhere so when I am down and out, I can just settle some where and draw.
With the busy life we are living today, having access to something that enables us to be positive is key.
Thank you again for “The Energy Bus” book and for the wonderful ideas you help generate!
If it wasn’t for my Employer (Realogy Corporation - Sunbelt Title), I would have never gotten my hands on this book.
God Bless you!
Mrs. Michael….
By Joe De Blas on Feb 23, 2009
Dear Jon,
I Thank you for all the great work you do and all the great wisdom you have to communicate what life is all about. Thank you for your daily habit of building people up and building that bridge of oppurtunity, to be the best at what you believe in.
I get inspired by talking ,communicateing and trusting God’s brilliance through me. every morning I make it a habit to Thank the lord for the the blessing of everyday encouraging others to grow and have fun in life. When I drop of my son to school, I make it a habit to pray in front of him so he can also learn the basic values of life. Thankful for the blessing of everyday, I get inspired because it is the very thing that God wants from us be great listeners and be obediant to he’s direction in life. When the things I pray for become visible I quickly commucnicate with my son and confirm with him that a prayer has been answered,its inspiring to me when he smiles at me back and shares the same feeling together ‘Pursuing happiness’ in life through the daily teachings of God through my kids….
my sons smile : )inspires me everyday because I’am building that bridge he will pass by one day and he can also build that bridge for he’s kids to pass by aswell. I will always shoot for the stars at least I ‘ll get to the moon.
God bless you Jon,
Joe De Blas
Manager Tony Roma’s
McAllen, TX.
rib expert!
956-631-2121
By Tim Merrick on Feb 23, 2009
I work in the Blue Ridge Mountains and valleys of Central Virginia near Charlottesville and Monticello, an area Thomas Jefferson described as “the Eden of the United States”, and it is as true today as it was back in the late 1790’s.
When the negativity of the news media, the self dealing pontificating of the politians or financial experts, or the self centered shallowness of media and film celebrities becomes too invasive, I simply walk into the mountains or along the stream banks and pick up something like a leaf, or a wildflower or a butterfly,or a salamander and look at the stunning colors or intricate and divine design of that particular creation by The Almighty and suddenly it becomes clear we should give thanks for He has provided for our delight and amazement and all we have to do is take a short walk. It is all around us and it certainly relieves stress and puts things in perspective.
By Shanhong Lu on Feb 23, 2009
I love your words of great encouragement to people, specially also make people realize that they do have a choice during this hard time, to be inspired and seeking the positive and opportunities to grow and strive!
For this very reason, I love Orenda International a company carrying the positivity and inspiration and a company with the mission of lifting people and empowering them.
By Marta on Feb 23, 2009
Last weekend I attended service at Unity Church at 11:00am at 95th and Broadway in Manhattan. The message of the day was “Choices” and the affirmation of the day was “I Choose Love”. The talks were very inspiring and the music was uplifting. After the service, I walked across Central Park to The Met to visit the “Art in Renaissance” exhibit. Upon entering a quote in Italian was there to greet all: “Amore Vole Fe”, which means “Love is Faith”.
The day was filled with 3 things I wanted to do for along time. I was engaged and inspired by the positive energy in all three location. As a result, I felt GREAT!
By Julie Trednick on Feb 23, 2009
I am doing an 8 week “success team workshop” and it is very inspiring. Especially now since I got laid off from my job in October. It is a small group of women who meet once a week for 8 weeks, and follow a process set forth in Barbara Sher’s book, Wishcraft - How to Get What You Really Want. Basically, we each set a goal at the beginning of the workshop - can be big (finding a new career) or little (organizing closets) - and we help one another realize our goals by following Barbara’s formula (yes, there’s homework), being accountable each week - reporting our progress, contributing ideas to help each other succeed, buddy calls in the middle of the week, and at the end - an “Idea Party” where we bring in additional people (each of us invites 3 people) who can give THEIR ideas to help us achieve our goals. It is a very inspiring and supportive experience and has kept my spirits in hopeful rather than doldrum. The other part of this is the power of fellowship that develops betw the 6 women who were strangers to begin with and also the gratitude that comes from helping others. It’s win-win.
By Derede Darden on Feb 23, 2009
I try to listen to Greg Laurie on the radio every morning! I have jazzed up music with me at all times in the car, on my phone, IPOD, etc… Trying to praise God for every little thing in life!
By trish on Feb 23, 2009
I am always inspired or encouraged when I receive these emails from Jon’s site,, and his insight… I too have been struggling with every day madness,, I find my inspiration when I am alone and listen, to whatever comes into my thoughts, I try to go on what seems to stay with me.. the beach is also my greatest peace,, the waves help me to clear my mind and relax,, no beach… just sit outside, somewhere quiet try to remember what you are passionate about,, then Act on it..!
By Fitu Papu on Feb 23, 2009
Hey Jon,
Inspiration. It’s quite a big word in its purest application. One cannot fanthom the whole meaning of it because there is too much of it to discover than it be a single entity.
My utmost inspiration, however, is spending time with the Lord and with my wife. I don’t have children yet, but time spending with the Lord and with my wife is worth every minute of my life.
I was away from my wife on a conference meeting held in Guam for a while. Like you, I could not sit in the room clicking through the channels just to get inspired. So, one night I decided to go down to the Mall not only to make the exchange of the wrong size of shoes I bought from Foot Wear for my wife, but also to eat and enjoy being in a socialized place. Later, I decided to watch a movie in the Cinemas before I headed back to the hotel. Surely it was a night of inspiration. I learned instead of looking at that place with negativity, but I decided to change my perspective and try to enjoy my stay there as much as I could. The whole time I was thinking about my wife, but God was my hope–of that I was grateful. Coming back home was a time to remember. I felt as though my life became complete after seeing my wife again, though she was sick.
I really thank God for His goodness and for inspiring me to experience His love upon me on my trip, and upon my wife during the time of her being sick.
By michael cates on Feb 23, 2009
It seem’s when you help someone else smile for a moment it helps you smile! I try to do that with all of my staff,parents and children at Broadway Gymnastics School! Now my staff have started doing the same thing!
By joan on Feb 24, 2009
i find inspiration in being outdoors on a clear day. on saturday, i attended a bee-keeping workshop at wave hill in riverdale, ny. wave hill is located along the hudson river and looks across to the new jersey palisades. although it was cold outside, i found a seat and just listened to the quiet breeze, a lone woodpecker, an occasional train passing below along the riverfront. it let me reconnect with nature and be more inspired to bring these experiences to my loved ones as well.
By WD Tate on Feb 24, 2009
I gain my inspiration from spending time with our children! It is incredible how much they appreicate so little- they want our time and when they get it, wow! I feel like amillion bucks after hiking with our daughter or golfing with our son-
Eating dinner together and taling about nothing really important, buust simply sharing thoughts-
By Linda Starbuck on Feb 24, 2009
Every day I find inspiration in the fact that I’m not alone in my struggle; I work a second, part-time job to help families with developmentally disabled family members, providing respite to the adults who care for their (mostly) children. Being able to share some of what I’ve learned in my struggles with my own son (who is not disabled by the most common definition but definitely has his own challenges) allows me to keep going in this dance of life, and to be grateful for the universal abundance that supports me and allows me to help support others. Every day I say thank you for all the blessings and challenges in my life, because they all are part of my growth.
By Debbie on Feb 24, 2009
I am inspired when I remind myself that I am NOT in charge. It’s a relief to know that God will take care of things better than I can.
I’m most at peace at the edge of sea…it’s so alive and seems to be God’s art.
By Tim Lencki on Feb 24, 2009
A majority of my inspiration comes from spending the time to read Faith-based books on God’s purpose for our life. God designed each one of us with an amazing plan. The more I learn about God’s plan for my life, the more I am inspired. My job also brings me inspiration. As an author and speaker in the fitness world I get the opportunity to inspire others to a healhty lifestyle. What joy this is!
By Ellen on Feb 24, 2009
I’m in a very difficult work environment right now. But I’m inspired by other folks who tell me they are in a similar situation and we’re able to boost each other up just by focusing on the positive things we find within ourselves. I’m helping my nephew go to school - and it gives me peace and helps me get up every day, knowing that I’m able to contribute to his success.
By Joe De Blas on Feb 25, 2009
Getting inspired is a great way to tap into your innerself of listening to some or your intution to be the best. I get inspired when I have a team goal at work and everyone uses there own skills and knowledge to complete that goal. At the end of the day I always make it a point to let them know thanks to there efforts we got done. the smile is the relief you have tryed your best that day. Most of us have so much courage that we dream we had and we possess it, by enspiring others to let go of FEAR. (False Evidence Apperaing Real) continue to inspire is my daily Habit.
Joe De blas
By David Smith on Feb 25, 2009
Jon,
I’m inspired by an article I read today by Bill Plaschke, a columnist for the LA Times. The story described the sacrafices made by members of the Royal High School track team to assist a senior teammate, Alyssa Rossi, who was born without vision. It’s a heart warming story. I’m so tired of picking up the paper or turning on the news to hear more of the same….A-Rod’s steroid scandal….political scandal’s…Madoff’s ponzi scheme. It’s no wonder that the national mindset is the way it is right now. Tell us more about the Tim Tebows of the world, tell us more about Nicole Todd, the Sophmore on the Royal High track team that forgoes individual accomplishments to lead her visionless teammate along the trail teathered to a grey belt.
A quote from the Royal High Track coach stuck with me after reading the article. When describing the willingness of her team to assist their newest teammate, the coach said…”This just shows you that kids get it…”
By Laurajkb on Feb 26, 2009
I think of all the good things I’ve got going and all the things I’ve gotten to do in my life. I think of my fabulous husband,kids,friends and my animals…all makes me very happy, even though I’ve had the toughest year of my life!
By Marsha Keeffer on Mar 2, 2009
Friends, family and people I meet are a constant source of inspiration!
By Lizzie on Mar 3, 2009
Jon:
I am one of those people compounded by fear in my daily life. It effects my husband and our future. I live half of what I really believe I meant to be living and want to be free from that. Blogs like yours remind me that I’m not the only one and inspire me to face up to what I am afraid of and make the change I need to make.
I had hear of Joe’s saying before FEAR = False Images Appearing Real. Need to remember that more often!!
By Joe De Blas on Mar 3, 2009
Good morning inspiring people is our purpose by doing little things that will carry a ripple affect daily. Creating your habit to inspire yourself is the key. I always tell my self a story every morning of great people around me and how I can use there experiance to grow emotionaly every day in life. Tell your self what you need to hear everyday and lose FEAR of negative thoughts. It always inspireing when the things you talk about earlier in the day at times become real from other people actions. Its the law of attraction that helps your thoughts come true. Lizzie, believe in yourself that you will find resolve everyday. Every morning you will have an answer for your question. keep your spirit going forward, your brilliance is in you….
Be the best today,
Joe de Blas