You can find it in books, in music, in films, on TV and websites. It's uttered from the greatest minds of human history. If you look long enough, you can find it virtually everywhere. But what does inspiration mean to you? Does it inspire you to read about a rags-to-riches story or about someone overcoming physical challenges? Will it make you move into your truth if you view a movie where the heroine conquers all?
We know what inspiration is, but that isn't enough. We need to find a way to apply it to our lives, our situations, our challenges, or it's just a bunch of words. Inspiration is not likes on your Instagram post or followers on Vero.
words vs actions
One definition is; the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. Another is; the drawing in of breath; inhalation.
So is inspiration simply taking a deep breath? I don't think that's enough. And I don't think it's enough to know the definition. I've often said – and often forgotten – that inspiration doesn't appear with balloons and streamers. It happens in small increments. It could be one word or a gesture or an image that pushes us forward.
I recently posted about motivation and maybe that's an important ingredient to inspiration. If we know what we want and know how to get it but don't move, what's the point? I can post inspiring words or we could go for coffee and I could offer some advice, but will that inspire us? Inspiration is a big word but it doesn't have to be zero-sum. It doesn't take the climbing of a mountain or landing that million dollar deal for us to be inspired. Often it's the small things that matter most.
rinse repeat
We look to heroes who have done great things which inspire us but in my view the application to our own lives is the critical element. I'm going through something right now I've been through before and the same fears have crept into my consciousness.
I'm not yet through it, but I've had to remind myself the steps I took the last time, take that deep breath, and move.
we are human
In 2014, Fortune posted a list of their 50 Greatest Leaders and though there are inspirational people here, they aren't without flaws or mistakes. So perhaps the key piece of finding inspiration is within ourselves and to discover it isn't a perfect path or one single action?
So let's keep listening to that music and reading those books and watching those movies because life is a series of mistakes and actions and inspiring moments we create. Let's inspire each other with those small things so we can get to those big things.
And let's celebrate those moments when they happen.
__________________________________________________________________
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
March 16, 2018
December 24, 2011
Shopping More or Less This Year?
As millions race around today to do their final shopping and preparations for the big day tomorrow, some interesting statistics were released last month from Nielsen. Of the online survey participants from fifty-six countries, almost half planned on spending around the same on Christmas as last year and a quarter expected to spend less. Eleven percent claimed they will spend more than they did in 2010.
Some More. Some Less. Some Same.
Of those who expected to spend more in 2011 for Holiday gifts, the majority are in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions while Europe dominates the top countries where survey participants were planning to spend less this year.
Asia Pacific participants listed technology, apparel, books, vacations and jewellery. European participants listed books, toys, technology, apparel and vacations. Latin America included apparel, vacations, technology and bedroom/bathroom accessories.
Middle Easterners and Asians had technology, apparel, books and bedroom/bathroom accessories. North Americans listed toys, gift cards, technology, apparel and video games/consoles. And online shopping continues to increase which may surprise you if you are shopping today in the last mad dash so be careful out there!
If you celebrate, have a great Christmas!
Kneale Mann
image credit: Nielsen
August 20, 2010
The Fire Hose Gets Stronger
The nonstop information on the Internet was once described as a fire hose aimed at a teacup which remains a vivid and accurate image.
We are drenched by constant information and there is no hope of us ever being able to keep up.
Information, education, entertainment, humor, music, books, articles, websites. The choices are endless.
And this doesn’t include that little thing we call life.
How much time do we have?
Depending on the survey, the average person living to life expectancy (women 81 and men 76) spends six months in the bathroom, eight months having sex, eighteen months shopping, two years reading, two years exercising, three years doing housework, three years cooking, four years eating, four years on the phone, four years lining up, five years online, a decade watching television and twenty-five years sleeping.
So when you think about all the stuff we want to do as business owners, the competition is fierce and the least of our worries is our competition.
Time is our biggest adversary.
A Series of Tubes
There is no definitive way to determine the size of the Internet. It just turned forty and we have created something we can’t even measure that grows by the second.
With over a quarter of the world's population online, the fire hose won't be easing up for the foreseeable future.
So where does that leave us teacups?
knealemann
strategy. marketing. media.
image credit: afajournal
We are drenched by constant information and there is no hope of us ever being able to keep up. Information, education, entertainment, humor, music, books, articles, websites. The choices are endless.
And this doesn’t include that little thing we call life.
How much time do we have?
Depending on the survey, the average person living to life expectancy (women 81 and men 76) spends six months in the bathroom, eight months having sex, eighteen months shopping, two years reading, two years exercising, three years doing housework, three years cooking, four years eating, four years on the phone, four years lining up, five years online, a decade watching television and twenty-five years sleeping.
So when you think about all the stuff we want to do as business owners, the competition is fierce and the least of our worries is our competition.
Time is our biggest adversary.
A Series of Tubes
There is no definitive way to determine the size of the Internet. It just turned forty and we have created something we can’t even measure that grows by the second.
With over a quarter of the world's population online, the fire hose won't be easing up for the foreseeable future.
So where does that leave us teacups?
knealemann
strategy. marketing. media.
image credit: afajournal
December 27, 2009
Books | More Important Than Ever
How many books do you read?
I read and write every day.
But probably like you, I have become victim of the article mentality which consists of short pieces, websites, business manuals and research all tying up time that could be used to read a good book.
The publishing industry is changing like the music industry before it.
Creativity: More Important Than Ever
The ad agency, marketing and public relations models are distant cousins to those a decade ago and online channels are getting more crowded every minute. These are precisely the reasons why we need to read more books.
We are bombarded with material all day long. How much are we seeing and how much are we digesting? How has social media hindered this process?
How much of this content is worthy of our attention and retention?
When was the last time you read a book about your industry or business? How often do you disappear into a book simply to widen your horizons or expand your imagination and ideas?
Must Reads
I bought a bunch of books before the Holidays – all of which are on my ever growing “I really need to finally buy that one and actually read it” list.
And when I refer to books, those include the audio kind as well.
A stack of books resides on my desk. Each will be read (some will be re-read) and replaced by more from the list.
Read (or listen to) any good books lately?
@knealemann
image credit: flickr
I read and write every day.But probably like you, I have become victim of the article mentality which consists of short pieces, websites, business manuals and research all tying up time that could be used to read a good book.
The publishing industry is changing like the music industry before it.
Creativity: More Important Than Ever
The ad agency, marketing and public relations models are distant cousins to those a decade ago and online channels are getting more crowded every minute. These are precisely the reasons why we need to read more books.
We are bombarded with material all day long. How much are we seeing and how much are we digesting? How has social media hindered this process?
How much of this content is worthy of our attention and retention?
When was the last time you read a book about your industry or business? How often do you disappear into a book simply to widen your horizons or expand your imagination and ideas?
Must Reads
I bought a bunch of books before the Holidays – all of which are on my ever growing “I really need to finally buy that one and actually read it” list.
And when I refer to books, those include the audio kind as well.
A stack of books resides on my desk. Each will be read (some will be re-read) and replaced by more from the list.
Read (or listen to) any good books lately?
@knealemann
image credit: flickr
August 8, 2009
Where Do You Get Your Inspiration?
A piece of music can heal and transport you.
A great book has the ability to let you travel to far off lands to meet new people and read great stories.
A phone call from a long lost friend can transport you.
A few kind words can lift you from a bad mood.
Where do you go for inspiration?
Are you an inspiration for others?
@knealemann
Let’s create experiences, not campaigns.
image credit: davidhanauer.com
A great book has the ability to let you travel to far off lands to meet new people and read great stories.
A phone call from a long lost friend can transport you.
A few kind words can lift you from a bad mood.
Where do you go for inspiration?
Are you an inspiration for others?
@knealemann
Let’s create experiences, not campaigns.
image credit: davidhanauer.com
June 26, 2009
The New News Cycle
We are officially overwhelmed with content. It’s everywhere. Blogs, podcasts, news, media, books, pamphlets, it’s being created faster than we can consume it.The movement in the last couple of weeks on Twitter with regards to the Iranian election has been inspiring.
The Power of We?
The people do have the power. Will any of it change the horrific situation over there? Hopefully. But if not, it will change the next one. We must believe that we can change things as a group.
Thursday 5:10pm
I checked email and in came a series blasts from the various news agencies all reporting that Michael Jackson had suffered a heart attack.
Tune It In
My immediate reaction was to post something on Twitter. No phone call to any of my other media friends, I didn’t turn on the radio or television, I didn’t first visit a website, I tweeted it.
Reports were flying around faster than the speed of 110wpm and an hour had passed. Checking sites, tweeting, reading tweets, checking sites and the confirmation came through that Jackson had passed away.
The Scramble Was On
There were the rumor mongers, the unconfirmed reports, the confirmed reports, the recanted posts, the tweets about the cause of death, the unconfirmed confirmations – it was mayhem.
Twitter servers were vibrating from the pressure. News sites were crashing from the traffic. Traditional media outlets were scrambling to get things on the air.
...Then There Were Three
Earlier this week, television icon Ed McMahon passed away. Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson in the same day. And with channels like Twitter, Facebook and FriendFeeed and others, the reaction was instantaneous.
We live in a tabloid laden quick to the mic/cam/site world. In the quest to scoop, many don’t bother to check for the truth. Hence the Harrison Ford and Jeff Goldlbum rumors that followed Jackson’s passing.
Is There A New News Cycle?
Is journalism no longer about fact checking and respect? Are the rules out the window while most hide behind the thinly veiled “public’s right to know”?
Some claim social media channels aren't reliable journalism. Well while the Twitter stream was searching for real information, TMZ was quick to get the scoop on the news of MJ's death before CNN and NBC while Entertainment Tonight had a picture of him on the stretcher on the way to the hospital on their website.
In a day of two famous deaths, a President's health care town hall, the Iranian election story and the money crunch; perhaps we're all just a little too tightly pressed against the glass.
Our thoughts go out to the friends and families of
Ms. Fawcett, Mr. McMahon and Mr. Jackson.
Ed McMahon: 03.06.23 - 06.23.09.
Farrah Fawcett: 02.02.47 - 06.25.09.
Michael Jackson: 08.29.58 - 06.25.09
@knealemann
knealemann at gmail dot com
Helping you better utilize all media.
How to make it, use it and profit from it.
photo credit: michaeljackson.com
June 14, 2009
Remember Sunday
I don’t know what Sunday morning is in your life but I hope you get to steal some time for yourself or spend it with your favorite people. It’s a time to unplug, a moment or two to catch up with you. It’s your chance to find a place where money and deadlines are not welcome.Sunday mornings should be about great coffee and rooms filled with music. A time to catch up on all those books piling up to the left side of your desk and the chair beside it. Not sure why I mention that ;-)
As I write this, the new Carbon Leaf album washes over my sundrenched office. The coffee is perfect. Stress? I no hablan Inglés.
Whatever you are up to today, may it replenish and inspire you.
And may you always remember Sunday as a place you can go - especially between meetings on a Wednesday.
Cheers.
@knealemann
photo credit: www.presentationzen.com
February 8, 2009
The Cell Phone Turns A Page
Have we lost the passion for reading books?
One of the rising categories in electronics over the last few years has been portable e-readers. If you’re not familiar, you can buy a device that will download full-length books. Then you can have a bunch of books all stored in one handy handheld device. You can buy one in the $250-$400 range.
There are a few models on the market. Read Gizmodo's take on all the models if you're not sure which one to buy. Amazon got a nice bump from Oprah last year and sold out of the Kindle - twice. The company is expected to announce the Kindle 2.0 for the U.S. market tomorrow.
Check Your Lane!
A spokesperson for the company said that their cell-ready device is coming too. You will be soon be able to download a book on to your phone or PDA.
And you thought people were distracted sending emails in traffic!
Just imagine some guy in front of you at a stoplight getting distracted because he's reading a novel. Of course if you're sitting on a long flight, these can be very handy.
Those Were The Days, My Friend
The newspaper industry was wildly successful for generations. Many have booked the funeral in the last couple of years.
Pardon the pun, but stop the presses!
Is this an issue about newspapers and books or our desire for news and content? Is this about holding a paper or book in our hands or the content itself?
Has our quest for information decreased?
This is about the ability for each of us to control our environment.
Our demand for instantly delivered content seems to increase every day. We want it now and we want it fast. We don't want to wait until tomorrow to read yesterday's news.
You know times are changing when The Huffington Post hosts its own inaugural ball for President Obama.
Now What?
The publishing industry needs to have a good look at the music industry’s reaction to downloading. The challenges may be similar, they may be different, but one thing is certain - change is here to stay.
If you’re in the area, join the free discussion on June 6th at BookCamp Toronto where some possible solutions for the publishing industry may arise.
Do you want books on your cell phone?
What does the future hold for the publishing industry?
km
One of the rising categories in electronics over the last few years has been portable e-readers. If you’re not familiar, you can buy a device that will download full-length books. Then you can have a bunch of books all stored in one handy handheld device. You can buy one in the $250-$400 range.
There are a few models on the market. Read Gizmodo's take on all the models if you're not sure which one to buy. Amazon got a nice bump from Oprah last year and sold out of the Kindle - twice. The company is expected to announce the Kindle 2.0 for the U.S. market tomorrow.
Check Your Lane!
A spokesperson for the company said that their cell-ready device is coming too. You will be soon be able to download a book on to your phone or PDA.
And you thought people were distracted sending emails in traffic!
Just imagine some guy in front of you at a stoplight getting distracted because he's reading a novel. Of course if you're sitting on a long flight, these can be very handy.
Those Were The Days, My Friend
The newspaper industry was wildly successful for generations. Many have booked the funeral in the last couple of years.
Pardon the pun, but stop the presses!
Is this an issue about newspapers and books or our desire for news and content? Is this about holding a paper or book in our hands or the content itself?
Has our quest for information decreased?
This is about the ability for each of us to control our environment.
Our demand for instantly delivered content seems to increase every day. We want it now and we want it fast. We don't want to wait until tomorrow to read yesterday's news.
You know times are changing when The Huffington Post hosts its own inaugural ball for President Obama.
Now What?
The publishing industry needs to have a good look at the music industry’s reaction to downloading. The challenges may be similar, they may be different, but one thing is certain - change is here to stay.
If you’re in the area, join the free discussion on June 6th at BookCamp Toronto where some possible solutions for the publishing industry may arise.
Do you want books on your cell phone?
What does the future hold for the publishing industry?
km
December 16, 2008
Don't Let Anything Stand In Your Way
At some point every day, I do something under the umbrella of “motivation”. That may be reading a few more pages of that book I’ve been trying to finish for months, listening to a podcast or read a blog, crank some music, or anything that gets the blood flowing in the right direction again.
Last week, I put on a podcast with Jack Canfield. In the interview, he is promoting his book The Success Principles.
There is some riveting stuff and great reminders here:
Turn your inner-critic in to an inner-coach
To often, we summarize a project or a meeting by what we did wrong or what we missed. That event is done, over, everyone else has moved on. The best idea is to decipher what went well and what you want to improve next time.
List what you want to accomplish in your life
This could include visiting the Sistine Chapel, writing a book, driving a race car, or starting your own company. None of us know how much time we will be granted, and nothing magical is going to help around the corner unless we create it.
Don’t share your dreams with negative people
How many times have you heard the phrase “that won’t work” or “that’s a dumb idea”? It may be true but if you feel in your gut that you have something worth pursuing, then pursue it alone or with people who share your vision. Life is too short to let others live it for you. Share your dreams with positive people or keep them to yourself until you can find them.
Drop out of the “ain’t it awful” club
We all know them - those among us who will find bad things with every idea or situation. There is some strange trait among us humans where we find comfort in knocking things down. Perhaps it’s laziness? Perhaps it’s fear?
Life is supposed to be fun
We are drowning in news about the economy these days. Get over it. It sucks. People are nervous and scared and cautious. This isn’t to suggest we take the “la la la, I can’t hear you” approach, but if we continue to wallow then we will get what we wish for – more wallowing.
Be a persistent. Be a visionary
If you surround yourself with positive people, stop sharing your dreams and ideas with negative people, and keep at it, exciting things will happen. Yes, easier said than done but it has been proven time and time again.
We can all waste more time preparing to discuss the preparation.
I am attending an event tomorrow night with Jeff Parks, Kristina Mausser, and Jay West. It’s a chance for us to share a little Holiday cheer but it is also a chance for us to discuss an adventurous idea we have been talking about.
Jeff has had an idea to change the Meet Up concept for years and has slowly surrounded himself with positive people who share the vision. There has been no shortage of naysayers but his idea has only gained strength.
On a personal note: 2009 will be the year where I realize a dream I have had for decades – to work with smart people on fun projects.
Do you think it will work?
km
Last week, I put on a podcast with Jack Canfield. In the interview, he is promoting his book The Success Principles.
There is some riveting stuff and great reminders here:
Turn your inner-critic in to an inner-coach
To often, we summarize a project or a meeting by what we did wrong or what we missed. That event is done, over, everyone else has moved on. The best idea is to decipher what went well and what you want to improve next time.
List what you want to accomplish in your life
This could include visiting the Sistine Chapel, writing a book, driving a race car, or starting your own company. None of us know how much time we will be granted, and nothing magical is going to help around the corner unless we create it.
Don’t share your dreams with negative people
How many times have you heard the phrase “that won’t work” or “that’s a dumb idea”? It may be true but if you feel in your gut that you have something worth pursuing, then pursue it alone or with people who share your vision. Life is too short to let others live it for you. Share your dreams with positive people or keep them to yourself until you can find them.
Drop out of the “ain’t it awful” club
We all know them - those among us who will find bad things with every idea or situation. There is some strange trait among us humans where we find comfort in knocking things down. Perhaps it’s laziness? Perhaps it’s fear?
Life is supposed to be fun
We are drowning in news about the economy these days. Get over it. It sucks. People are nervous and scared and cautious. This isn’t to suggest we take the “la la la, I can’t hear you” approach, but if we continue to wallow then we will get what we wish for – more wallowing.
Be a persistent. Be a visionary
If you surround yourself with positive people, stop sharing your dreams and ideas with negative people, and keep at it, exciting things will happen. Yes, easier said than done but it has been proven time and time again.
We can all waste more time preparing to discuss the preparation.
I am attending an event tomorrow night with Jeff Parks, Kristina Mausser, and Jay West. It’s a chance for us to share a little Holiday cheer but it is also a chance for us to discuss an adventurous idea we have been talking about.
Jeff has had an idea to change the Meet Up concept for years and has slowly surrounded himself with positive people who share the vision. There has been no shortage of naysayers but his idea has only gained strength.
On a personal note: 2009 will be the year where I realize a dream I have had for decades – to work with smart people on fun projects.
Do you think it will work?
km
September 16, 2008
David Foster Wallace
I don't usually spend blog time on obituaries but this death gave me pause.
Someone I am just getting to know is David Foster Wallace and sadly because someone mentioned him on Saturday, the day he died. I had heard of him over the years but didn’t pay much attention. Many called Wallace one of the greatest writers and essayists in American history. But he wasn’t flashy, he didn’t write books that turned into Hollywood blockbusters, and he shunned the spotlight.
When I heard of his passing I went online to search for more information about him. After reading some, I watched an interview he did with Charlie Rose in 1997. He seemed the reluctant type, shy, and borderline apologetic.
Wallace once said we often lump writers into the same box – as if to say anyone who works with words is of the same mind and theory. Good point. But writers are often complicated and many are quite fragile.
The late Red Smith once summed it up succinctly; “There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” Writing is difficult. Publishing your work is even tougher. The microscope is your enemy and the readers can crucify you in a blink. Everyone is in fact a critic.
David suffered from depression for over twenty years and finally took his own life on Saturday. Wallace was only 46 and just getting started.
km
Someone I am just getting to know is David Foster Wallace and sadly because someone mentioned him on Saturday, the day he died. I had heard of him over the years but didn’t pay much attention. Many called Wallace one of the greatest writers and essayists in American history. But he wasn’t flashy, he didn’t write books that turned into Hollywood blockbusters, and he shunned the spotlight.
When I heard of his passing I went online to search for more information about him. After reading some, I watched an interview he did with Charlie Rose in 1997. He seemed the reluctant type, shy, and borderline apologetic.
Wallace once said we often lump writers into the same box – as if to say anyone who works with words is of the same mind and theory. Good point. But writers are often complicated and many are quite fragile.
The late Red Smith once summed it up succinctly; “There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” Writing is difficult. Publishing your work is even tougher. The microscope is your enemy and the readers can crucify you in a blink. Everyone is in fact a critic.
David suffered from depression for over twenty years and finally took his own life on Saturday. Wallace was only 46 and just getting started.
km
