Inspirational quotes on social media are not inspiring you (or anyone). It’s time to do something different.
Do you read inspirational quotes on social media and think “that’s inspiring” but go on to take no action? My bet is that’s just what happens each time you see or post one of those quotes on social media.
If the inspirational quotes on social media aren’t motivating you to action and instead move you towards looking at more quotes, then maybe it’s time to look for inspiration somewhere else.
Can you list five quotes that inspire you? Now think about five people that have inspired you. Which list comes to mind more easily? Which one has had a more significant effect or brought something memorable to your life?
Think about it. Do you remember that last quote you read or maybe posted on Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest? How about the last person that posted an action they took that moved you? I’ll bet you remember that one.
See what I mean? Inspiring action doesn’t have to be climbing a mountain. It could be the person giving back to the community, challenging themselves, helping others, or heck, I find therapy dogs inspiring.
Some days my Instagram feed and story are filled with quote after quote. I don’t understand why this is so popular. All I see is wishful thinking.
How do you put that quote into action? Is this to inspire yourself or me? If it’s me, show me how the quote impacted you. If it’s for you, think about how you will live it, show the action(s), and then share that on social media.
People can inspire each one of us much more than reading a few words in the form of a quote posted online.
My approach and one of the purposes of this blog is sharing inspiration. That inspiration comes from people and actions, not just words. Let’s leave the inspirational quotes on social media behind.
I believe strongly in the idea that we can and should inspire one another. It’s time to start lifting each other up.
challenge.inspire.impact.
What if each one of us decided we wanted to inspire one other person? You may have noticed from the tagline; this is a big deal here at headformance.
Follow me here. What if your inspiration is to do something simply to inspire someone else? That works too.
What would the world look like? Think about it. Instead of FOMO (fear of missing out), we can create YIM (you inspire me).
You know the surge you get when you post on social media and get a simple like, heart, or thumbs up. What if the comment was #YIM. I know the dopamine boost your brain would get would be even more substantial.
Of course, Inspiration doesn’t have to be on or come from social media.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable
I admit, I have a few quotes that have inspired me, as I think many people do. They can be important in our life. They work as an anchor during times of change, challenging periods, or for focusing our thoughts and, also in seeing success.
One of the quotes I use but, more importantly, LIVE is “get comfortable being uncomfortable.” This quote is not only to inspire myself, but I use it as words to live by.
That uncomfortable space for me is where growth, excitement, and adventure happen. When I put myself in that uncomfortable place, I know what comes next just might be magical.
If you have several quotes written in your journal, on your social accounts, or maybe your old school and have them on your mirror, take a look at them right now.
Are there one or two that resonate with you in a deep or meaningful way? Do they genuinely inspire you, or are they merely an inspirational quote? The difference is personal.
You READ an inspirational quote. You LIVE quotes that inspire you.
I CHALLENGE you to look for your INSPIRATION and then put it out there for others. I know each of you are doing something that will inspire someone else.
If you ran or walked your first 5K, that is inspiring to someone. It doesn’t have to be a marathon! There is someone else out there thinking they might be able to do it too.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be big or groundbreaking. If we let go of the idea that inspiring others comes only from doing the big things, it becomes much easier to motivate one another.
A good rule to use is, if it takes you out of your comfort zone or scares you even a little bit, it takes courage and will likely be an inspiration to someone else.
Inspiring others through Action
Are you still not sure you can put your inspiring action out there for others to see? I know that feeling all too well. “Should I post this for others to see, or does it sound like a boast?” It’s time to get over ourselves and just do it.
In 2018 I traveled to Africa to visit a child I have sponsored in Tanzania for the past eleven years. While there, I also climbed and summited Mount Kilimanjaro. That’s one of my photos above taken while watching the sunrise from the summit.
The trip was emotional, spiritual, incredibly challenging, and one of the most remarkable things I have ever done.
When I came back from the trip, I had trouble posting anything on social media about the adventure or even talking about it. In my head, it all sounded like one big “look at how amazing I am.”
No doubt about it, it was a tremendous accomplishment and one I’m incredibly proud of doing.
My time in Africa also included many people who inspired me. Each day of the trek, the group leaders, the guides, along with my incredible new friends, who accomplished something genuinely remarkable under challenging conditions, inspired me.
Looking back, what I should have done is highlighted each one of those people who inspired me on the trip.
It is such a different way of looking at things, especially when posting on social media. It didn’t have to be about me. I could still tell a story and be inspiring to someone else but not have it focused solely on me.
What if the story about my sponsored child, Halima, inspired someone to help another child in Africa?
What if I posted about “grandma”? She was the 67-year-old recent widow who, like many in my group, reached the summit through pure will and belief.
That story may help someone else climb their mountain. Whatever that mountain might be. I’ve learned not to hold back.
Stop with the “Inspirational” Quotes on Social Media
Whether it’s your story or a story about another, it is about inspiring others to get out of their comfort zone and allow them to know they can do it too. It is not about the random quote.
Another idea is to say it this way. “I was inspired to do/post this by _______” and add who or what inspired you (and of course, feel free to use @headformance or #challenge.inspire.impact.).
And perhaps a more natural and comfortable place to start is telling others when they inspire you. Tell them in person, text, or on social media, and all you need to say is YOU INSPIRE ME. Let’s add #YIM to the internet slang dictionary!
You can see this, right?! If even a few others then do the same, the IMPACT is tremendous.
I CHALLENGE you to stop with the inspirational quotes on social media and start living them.
Go ahead, INSPIRE someone today.
Let’s IMPACT the world!
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