3. Motivation versus Inspiration

(...continued) The sun was setting, casting long shadows across Mr. Attitude's expansive garden. Seeker wandered through the meticulously manicured paths, taking in the vibrant colors of the blooming flowers. He found Mr. Attitude seated on a stone bench near a burbling fountain, his eyes closed in quiet contemplation.

"You're back," Mr. Attitude said without opening his eyes, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I thought our last conversation might have scared you off."

Seeker chuckled nervously. "Actually, it's why I'm here. I've been trying to apply what you taught me about having an attitude, but... well, I'm struggling to keep it up."

Mr. Attitude's eyes opened, fixing Seeker with a knowing look. "Ah, that's because you are not aware of the distinction between motivation and inspiration."

Seeker frowned. "Distinction??? Aren't they the same thing?"

"About as same as this fountain and the ocean," Mr. Attitude replied, gesturing to the water feature beside them. "Both wet, both moving, but fundamentally different."

Intrigued, the Seeker sat down next to the older man. "How so?"

Mr. Attitude leaned back, his gaze distant. "Motivation is like this fountain. It's man-made, requires constant energy to keep going, and if you don't maintain it, it dries up. Inspiration, on the other hand, is like the ocean – vast, natural, and self-sustaining."

"But isn't motivation important to be successful?" The Seeker asked, confused. "I mean that's what I have heard from all the motivational speakers."

"Well... Motivation might be a good tool for an initial push... an initial start" Mr. Attitude nodded. "But relying on it alone is like trying to cross the Sahara with a bottle of water. You'll run out long before you reach your destination."

Seeker pondered this for a moment. "So, how does this relate to maintaining an attitude?"

Mr. Attitude smiled. "Having an attitude, as we discussed before, is about standing your ground, knowing your worth. Motivation can get you started on that path, but inspiration is what keeps you on it."

"I'm not sure I follow," The Seeker admitted.

"Let me give you an example," Mr. Attitude said. "Years ago, I decided to start my own company. At first, I was incredibly motivated. Working long hours, pushing myself to the limit. But after a few months, that initial burst of energy started to wane. I found myself struggling to get out of bed in the morning."

"What changed?" The Seeker asked, leaning in.

"I realized I was relying too much on motivation – on that external push. So I took a step back and reconnected with why I started the company in the first place. It wasn't about the money or the success. It was about creating something meaningful, about making a difference. That was my inspiration."

The Seeker nodded slowly. "So inspiration comes from within?"

"Exactly," Mr. Attitude beamed. "Motivation is the spark that gets the fire going, but inspiration is the fuel that keeps it burning. It's tied to your values, your purpose. When you're inspired, you don't need to push yourself – you're pulled forward by something greater than yourself."

"But how do you find inspiration?" The Seeker asked.

Mr. Attitude chuckled. "You don't find inspiration, kid. You discover it. It's already there, buried under layers of doubt and fear. Your job is to dig it out."

"How?"

"By asking yourself the hard questions. What is it that truly matters to you? What would you want to do even if you never got paid or recognized for it? What makes you lose track of time when you're doing it?" Mr. Attitude's eyes gleamed. "Find the answers to these, and you'll have found your wellspring of inspiration."

Seeker sat in silence for a moment, processing this information. "I think I understand. But how does this help me maintain my attitude?"

"When you're inspired," Mr. Attitude explained, "being in attitude isn't an act that you have to put up. It becomes a natural expression of who you are and what you stand for. You're not pretending to be someone; you're just being true to yourself."

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the horizon, Seeker felt a shift within himself. The path ahead, which had seemed daunting before, now beckoned with possibility.

"Remember," Mr. Attitude said softly, "motivation is like this garden – beautiful, but requiring constant upkeep. Inspiration is like the wild forest beyond – untamed, endless, and ever-growing. Tap into that, and you'll never run out of reasons to stand tall and proud."

Seeker stood up, a new determination in his eyes. "Thank you so much. I think I'm ready to go find my forest."

Mr. Attitude's laugh echoed through the garden. "That's the spirit, kid! And remember, the only way to find your true inspiration is by being authentic with yourself. Now go out there and start digging!"

As the Seeker started to walk away he heard Mr. Attitude calling him. "Would you like to accompany me to the gym tomorrow morning?", he asked.

"Sure", The Seeker replied.

"Cool! Meet me at 6a.m. tomorrow", Mr. Attitude responded.

As the Seeker walked back to his home, he realized that his conversations with Mr. Attitude were more than just lessons – they were guideposts on his journey of self-discovery. Also he was very excited for the next day.

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FAQs

Q: What's the main difference between motivation and inspiration?

A: Motivation is like a man-made fountain - it requires constant energy to keep going and can dry up without maintenance. Inspiration, on the other hand, is like the ocean - vast, natural, and self-sustaining. Motivation is an external push, while inspiration comes from within and is tied to your values and purpose.

Q: Is motivation not important for success?

A: Motivation can be useful for an initial push or start. However, relying on motivation alone is insufficient for long-term success. It's like trying to cross the Sahara with just a bottle of water - you'll run out long before reaching your destination. For sustained success, you need inspiration.

Q: How can I find my inspiration?

A: You don't find inspiration; you discover it within yourself. It's already there, buried under layers of doubt and fear. To uncover it, ask yourself hard questions: What truly matters to you? What would you do even if you never got paid or recognized for it? What makes you lose track of time when you're doing it?

Q: How does inspiration help in maintaining a strong attitude?

A: When you're inspired, having an attitude isn't an act you have to put up. It becomes a natural expression of who you are and what you stand for. You're not pretending to be someone; you're just being true to yourself. This makes it easier to maintain a strong, authentic attitude consistently.

Q: Can you give an example of how inspiration works in real life?

A: In the blog, Mr. Attitude shares his experience of starting a company. Initially, he was motivated and worked long hours. But when that motivation waned, he struggled. He then reconnected with why he started the company - to create something meaningful and make a difference. This inspiration, tied to his purpose, became the sustainable fuel for his efforts.