I listen to a BUNCH of podcasts and subscribe to A LOT of blogs. 95% of them pertain to my business – Positively Jane. Because, believe it or not,  blogging is a business. Now, when I began I had NO idea it was a business. I really thought I was just going to write articles for you to read.  Articles that hopefully would help you navigate your own life with a few less potholes that I have experienced.

Through the passage of time (18 months now) I have come to realize that just being inspired to establish a blog and write posts is not the same as actually doing it! Inspiration is just the thought behind the work. Inspiration is just the seed that gets planted. I needed to put forth the consistent effort. I needed to water, fertilize and nurture that seed. Because inspiration alone is not enough.

Now, I had no idea what I did not know. What I mean is….. there were a lot of things I needed to learn in order to start a website and begin a blog. And there are still a lot of things I need to learn. Sometimes I spend hours just trying to figure out how to add text to a video, edit a photo, or create a design.  Is it inspiration that keeps me at the computer for hours on end….learning all the things? I am going to answer that question with a resounding – NO!

It is determination that keeps me going.

It is excitement that keeps me going. It is the challenge that keeps me going.  And, to an even greater extent – it is YOU that keeps me going.

Because, as always I have been thinking about you.

So, what about you? Do you have any ideas floating around in your mind?  Ideas that are so inspirational that you can’t wait to get going on them?  Or maybe ideas that you would love to do or try, but you have NO idea how to even begin? Will those thoughts just stay ideas or do you think you will act on them?

Let me ask you this?

What is it that inspires you?

Do you have any idea how to take that inspiration and turn it into a reality?

Do you want to:

1. Learn how to paper craft?
2. Start an online course?
3. Pay off debt?
4. Save for a vacation?
5. Write a book?
6. Start a blog?
7. Go back to school?
8. Learn how to fly?
9. Move to a new location?
10. Start a family?
11. Lose 20#’s?
12. Stop biting your nails?
13. Run a marathon?
14. Become more flexible?
15. Become an actor?
16. Learn to play golf?

Can any of the above be accomplished by just a thought? Nope. You can be inspired to stop biting your nails….. but it takes action on your part.

And as you can see, not all inspirational ideas involve physical work. You don’t need to spend hours behind the computer, research manufacturing plants, or buy land for a building.

There are ideas inside of you that are just waiting to become a reality.  The only difference between you and someone else is that you can take those ideas and turn them into a reality.  A reality that you love. A way to make your dreams come true.

So, how do you make your dreams come true?

‘The key is harnessing that spark of inspiration—whatever it may be—to alter your conduct. It starts with a decision followed by immediate action, which when sustained over time, can improve your life in ways you couldn’t possibly predict.’. Rich Roll

A few things that I have learned when I get inspired are:

1. Don’t overthink it.  Don’t spend valuable time and effort thinking about all the ‘what if’s’.  Don’t make a flowchart and write out all the scenarios. There is no way you can figure it out or know all the outcomes.

2. Tell someone.  Share your inspirational ideas. Show your enthusiasm. Get them on board with you if you can. If not, don’t stop!

3. Act. Get moving. Figure out where to begin. Give yourself grace for not knowing it all.

4. Don’t be afraid to fail.  Failure means that you actually started.  You had a beginning. And failure does NOT mean that you are finished.  It just means that you might need to make a detour and get back on track.

‘If you are going places, failure is just part of the deal, but that’s OK. You can fix failure. You can’t fix the things you never tried.  If you stop trying, you’ll always wonder about what could have been.’ Jill Griffin

I found this quote and thought it was funny: ‘motivation alone is not enough. If you have an idiot and you motivate him, now you have a motivated idiot.”  Jim Rohn

And I LOVE this one: ‘If you really want to do something you will find a way. If you don’t you’ll find an excuse.’ Jim Rohn.

I would like to encourage you to act on your inspiration!

You don’t know where it will lead. My daughter has always wanted to create stickers for her business. She said she didn’t have the time. The reality was, she didn’t know how….. so, as a result, it never became important enough to spend the time learning all the ‘how to’s’. About 4 months ago she spent the time. Designed them. Ordered them. And is now selling them. Her inspiration became a reality and boy is she excited! And, just in case you might love them too – here they are (she has tons of wonderful items in her shop).

What is inspiring you right now? Want to tell someone? Post a comment below or send an email to: hello@positivelyjane.net. I would love to hear from you