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Since January gray blankets my world this week – a wholly uninspiring landscape – I asked a few friends: What inspires you...?
Charlie O'Donnell: "The word 'no' inspires me. Anytime someone tells me something can't be done or I have some kind of limitation, I immediately start thinking about how to do it."
Stephen Denny: “Dialog. It's too easy to get wound up in your own personal space and talk to yourself. The more people you meet, whether face-to-face, or via phone (or even online), the more you are exposed to. And the more you have to react to others' individual contexts.… My inspiration is the last thought coming out of the last rant. What Roger might call the ‘second right answer.’”
Mike Sansone: "New connections. This could be introducing two people and watching what they create; sharing an idea and watching for the 'a-ha' moment; or finding a solution to a problem."
Shelley Ryan: “When I'm writing to an individual instead of to an audience. (I have a folder of saved emails I've written to friends that are fun to re-read now and then.) If I can imagine my "audience" as a friend, the digital ink flows more freely.
“Another source of inspiration, which is also a quote from Douglas Adams (I think): ‘I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.’”
Roy Young: “I am inspired by people who pursue hobbies with passion. They could be watching television, but they choose to learn photography, astronomy, music, or cooking. And they often start hobbies as adults, without having much previous skill or background. This tells me we can always discover and learn.”
Roger von Oech: “The client's needs. These get me out of myself and give me a different focus. Calls from out of the blue. For example, I got a request this morning to do a creative seminar with the CIA and this could lead to some interesting ideas. Working on a problem or project, and allowing myself to get sidetracked. Having someone else say, 'Boy, I bet you've got an interesting take on that subject,' and then giving myself some time to work it out. Deadlines. Getting away from problems and projects, for example, I'm going to Egypt next week and I'm sure I'll be inspired there. Swimming (daily), going to the movies (I've seen "The Last King of Scotland" and "Pan's Labyrinth" in the past week) and Netflix (I've having an "Ingmar Bergman marathon" this month). Also, talking with my wife and children (who are in their 20s). Their points of view are quite different and it forces me to think. Working with my hands to make stuff. This gets me out of my head."
Sharon Hudson: “A 'problem' to solve or work through. A calm environment and morning light. And finally, time enough to procrastinate."
Christina Kerley (CK): “Sharing ideas is what inspires my writing. By connecting with others, I'm both teaching and learning.”
Monica Powers: "Inspiration? The moment when everything clicks--when the idea is right and the message gels with its intended audience. Getting to that point is the hard part. It takes a great deal of patience and preparation, but the moment of awareness, the rush of adrenaline when you know you're on to a powerful idea....that's where the payoff lies. A satisfying creative product is its own reward, and that's what inspires me to work."
Anne Simons: "Writing a blog inspires me to think about a wide range of issues and to develop a perspective on them, which is intellectually satisfying, and makes me more valuable to my clients. I also like to think that once in a while I am able to share news, an idea, or an interesting tidbit that is helpful to someone."
Karl Long: "I'm inspired by the interesting dichotomy between people's capacity to be creative and their capacity to be single-minded. I think it's incredibly difficult to be creative and consistent. I, for one, manage to often be creative, but I find it hard to maintain the single-minded focus to see things through. It's kind of like that saying of Thomas Edison's.... that genius comes from 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration."
Val Frazee: "Hot and spicy Cheezits. :) Plus classical music (current fave is 'Swan Lake') and coffee. Lots of coffee. The coffee and music come first. Then the Cheezits are for when I get stuck."
Nick Wreden: "I am inspired by Muhammad Ali, a true champion of the world who has lived by his faith and his principles. I also find the social intelligence of the Internet inspiring -- potentially, all the intellect and passion of the world collectively working together to increase knowledge and understanding."
Peter Kim: "I always love a good challenge – focusing on marketing, thinking about how things could be improved. Doesn’t matter if it’s fixing a poor campaign or making a good one better. The only requirement is an idea that actually makes me care, i.e. love or hate. Otherwise it’s just noise and images.
"Generalizing broadly, brand advertising usually makes me think and wonder. 'Call to action' ads, like 'lease now for $199 per month' or 'buy 3 pizzas for $5 each' are wholly ignorable."
* * * * *
Tell me more. There is another full week of this horrid month... I'd love to feed off of your inspiration!
What inspires YOU?
Graphic by Tino Buntic via Cord Silverstein. Thanks, Cord!
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Comments
Children laughing, kindness among strangers and great customer service inspire me. As do great conversations. All give me hope that we can live together and do great things.
Posted by: Lewis Green | 01.23.07
My dog (no surprise here for those of you who know me). Every day's walk is a NEW experience and every tossed ball is an amazingly wonderful challenge. Nothing is same-old, same-old, and that inspires me no end.
Posted by: Andrea Learned | 01.23.07
andrea was faster than me about dogs.
what i have always found inspiring is the early morning walk with the dogs and a ipod playlist called pure morning: it's based on jimy hendrix.
the combination of the two things is pure passion and a pray for the new day.
Posted by: gianandrea facchini | 01.23.07
Outside of my family, I am most inspired by passion.
I get pretty worked up and passionate about what I get to do for a living and many things related to marketing these days. But what really gets my palms all sweaty and my heart racing is sharing passion with others. Coming here and sharing in dialogs with so many people is the kind of thing I'm talking about. I come away from conversations here with all kinds of inspiration from the passions shared here.
Right now I am in Taiwan, meeting with my vendors and potential new vendors, and I have had some really amazing conversations with people who are passionate about what they do, how they do it and the people they get to work with. Needless to say, I'm pretty inspired right now. I feel pretty fired up and excited about things.
So, Ann, I'd have to say that it is passion that inspires me... thanks for asking!
Posted by: Tim Jackson | 01.23.07
This guy inspires me:
http://www.news1130.com/news/international/article.jsp?content=w010425A
Posted by: Cam Beck | 01.23.07
Thanks for the comments, all. Great inspirations! I feel better already.
Cam: Try that link again? It doesn't seem to be complete?
Posted by: Ann Handley | 01.23.07
Sharing a unique moment with someone new... whether they are someone I meet in a business context, or the stranger on the subway platform.
Great post Ann, very inspiring!
Posted by: Tamera Kremer | 01.23.07
"Outside of my family, I am most inspired by passion."
Crap Tim stole my answer! Also seeing or hearing about a great idea. When I do, I cannot wait to blog about it and share the idea with others so it can continue to spread.
Posted by: Mack Collier | 01.23.07
Sorry about that... I'll go with a NYT article describing the same guy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/nyregion/03life.html?ex=1325480400&en=bfb239e4fab06ab5&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&
Posted by: Cam Beck | 01.23.07
I'm inspired by early morning quiet, by reading completely unrelated to work, by deadlines, by challenges -the bigger the better, and by connection, with old and new friends.
and i'm with the dog people. the pure joy of my dog inspires me.
like you, i am suffering from january. great post ann!
Posted by: B.L. Ochman | 01.23.07
My inspirations/passions: my husband whom I adore, dinner with close friends, a great book, the Beethoven string quartets (my old LPs on a new turntable), thank you very much and the rush of finding a new Whieldon teapot for my collection of 18th century English pottery.
And on the bleakest, coldest days of January: the ability to hibernate--for just a day here and there!
This post was a great idea, Ann. Thanks.
Posted by: Claire Ratushny | 01.23.07
Cam: Holy Toledo....THAT is an amazing story. Thanks for the boost.
Posted by: Ann Handley | 01.23.07
Activism! There is so much bad stuff going on, but there are still so many great people willing to speak out and create change. during these times where so many people act as though they have no social responsibility, I am inspired by the people who stand up and let there voices be heard. Oh yea, and love, because with out that there is nothing.
-dani
Posted by: dani | 01.23.07
I love to prove others wrong. So, is being headstrong considered an inspiration? :-)
Posted by: Carolyn Kent | 01.23.07
Carolyn - I think so... especially when those around you are telling you that something can't be done.
Posted by: Cam Beck | 01.23.07
serendipity
It happens to me a lot.
Posted by: Tammy Strnatka | 01.23.07
Reading about sources of inspiration to others is inspirational. Great community! Thanks, Ann.
Posted by: Roy Young | 01.23.07
What a great question! (The questions itself kind of inspired me!)
That being said, questions, in general, can be rather inspiring.
I am also very inspired when I spend time focusing on, and understanding all sides of an issue, problem or idea. Everyone has different points of view, and thoughts and it can be very inspiring to (not necessarily agree with) but learn about and understand a different opinion.
This is actually a great way to solve work related conflicts or "creativity blocks." Some very "outside - the - box," yet effective solutions can be formulated!
Posted by: Amy Schroeder | 01.23.07
I am inspired by those who "do life" in ways I can only dream of—but someday hope to.
Excellent post.
Posted by: David Armano | 01.23.07
My children inspire me. Their innate curiosity, and million-and-one questions that literally come from left field never cease to amaze.
Aside from that, a large blank whiteboard and new dry-erase marker. Does the trick every time!
Posted by: Maria Lopez | 01.23.07
Large whiteboard and a new dry-erase: Pretty funny, Maria... spoken like a true marketer! lol....
Posted by: Ann Handley | 01.23.07
I am always inspired by GRACE. You know it when you see it in the actions of people, in the words of writers and in the generosity of those under pressure.
Posted by: Gavin Heaton | 01.23.07
I'm inspired by surprise. And it doesn't even really matter what it is usually, just when I see something I didn't expect, or when someone goes the extra mile when they didn't have to, or when I see an ad that is really drop-dead astounding, and on and on...
Posted by: Paul McEnany | 01.23.07
Creatively - a deadline; plus thought-provoking questions like "what inspires you?"
Personally - people who overcome tremendous adversity in their lives. St. Francis House - a homeless shelter in Boston - has a tremendous program (the Moving Ahead Program, or MAP) that helps homeless people rebuild their lives and get back into work, housing, and healthy relationships. This program works, and I defy anyone to attend a MAP graduation and stay dry-eyed. Full disclosure I'm a board member and volunteer,but all bias aside, SFH is a truly remarkable organization.(http://www.stfrancishouse.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Ed_MAPEd)
Posted by: Maureen Rogers | 01.23.07
Ann,
On the personal side -- my daughter's faith in me.
On the professional side, I am inspired by clients who really let you in. The intimacy of the collaborative conversations that ultimately lead to that "a ha" moment. When the light goes on in their eyes, I literally have to squelch the fist-raising "YES!" that bubbles up inside me.
Thanks for asking!
Drew
Posted by: Drew McLellan | 01.24.07
Limitations inspire me. As marketing people, we are often faced with limited resources, may it be marketing budgets , manpower, etc; yet we are expected (and rightly so) to deliver. This inspires & forces me to create and innovate.
Posted by: Aaron Palileo | 01.24.07
Inspiration comes to me from expectations not met bridging a gap in my mind. Looking at ordinary things as if they were totally alien, does the trick as well.
Posted by: Christian Matschke | 01.24.07
Funny, I wrote a blog post about this last week: http://kermitfan.blogspot.com/2007/01/source-of-inspiration.html.
I am inspired by people: their actions, their feelings, their struggles, their joys, their lives. I am also inspired by people who strive to live better lives and help others be better people.
Thanks for the great post, Ann!
Posted by: KermitFan | 01.24.07
Ooppsss, looks like the link didn't work. I'll try again: http://kermitfan.blogspot.com/2007/01/source-of-inspiration.html
Posted by: KermitFan | 01.24.07
I'm a little late in this conversation, but thought I'd weigh in anyway.
Creative ideas inspire me. When I wake in the middle of the night after an idea popped into my subconscious brain, that's inspirational and exciting. When I'm brainstorming and researching and a new concept comes to me, that's inspiring.
Oh, and when my Havanese dog, Snickers, licks my face without provocation, that's also inspirational. :)
Posted by: Elaine Fogel | 01.25.07
Ann,
The thought virus has mutated:
I’m remashing the 2000, down to 150,
Post and your in.
http://hotelanyware.blogspot.com/2007/01/2000-bloggers-american-idol-meets.html
Posted by: Ed Reif | 01.25.07
Hearing your voice. So, call me. ;)
Posted by: Tom Asacker | 01.27.07
Ann, nice post. I've been slack as far as blogging goes since November or so, and now I see that I've been missing the same great stuff!
My inspiration: reading, and driving.
Those are two big ones among others, of course, but they really cause me to think. Also, the knowledge that I am a part of a community like this, and like the vast communities across the Internet. Just knowing that makes me look forward to the years ahead in my career and life, not with uncertainty, but with excitement, passion and hope.
Posted by: Daniel Monday | 01.28.07
The challenge to bring out something good out of what had been rated the best. To me, this what creativity is all about and this inspires me.
Posted by: Deji Solanke | 01.30.07