Inspiration

Sometimes I find particular people endlessly inspiring. Seeing something from them will almost instantly trigger me to want to create something of my own.

This piece of writing is the result of that. Herman wrote about having to upgrade his old iPhone 8. I had decided to skip writing today, but upon reading it I instantly changed my mind. When I finishing reading I immediately grabbed my writing laptop and started this post.

It's nearly mystical. There's nothing special about that post from Herman. Nevertheless, anything Herman posts makes me want to write myself. I wish he would publish more often.

Is it his style of writing? Perhaps it just speaks to me. More likely, though, it's a combination of his actual writing and who he is. Particularly his work. Herman is a solo entrepreneur and runs the blogging platform Bear. He's in control of his time and of his work. And he runs a great service that is opinionated in its offering, and all in all is helping make the web better.

In How to Live, Derek Sivers (there's another inspiration!) wrote:

Own your own business with many small customers to avoid depending on any big client. Offer products, not a personal service, so your business can run without you.

I didn't realise until I read it a few days ago, but this has always been my dream. Seeing Herman's most recent post helped me tie it all together. It suddenly makes sense why his words carry extra weight.

This drawing of inspiration from people on similar paths I want to walk is not new to me. I love the web because it helps you find inspiring people. No matter what I'm chasing, I've always found inspiration online from people on similar journeys.

I'm not talking about social media influencers. Forget those. It's all about the real people doing real work. People who share their journey because they believe in the path they are on so much that they are desperate for others to discover it as well.

My first homepage (that's what we used to call personal websites back in the day) came to be this way. I had been wanting to venture into making websites for a years. Then I found that some of the people in the IRC channel where I used to hang had their own homepages. Inspired, I thought if they can why can't I? So I did.

When I began running, I found new heroes on Strava. It led me to their podcasts. Merely opening up the app and seeing that they had been out for a workout was enough to inspire me to get out and do the work myself. To hear them talk in detail about their long run struggles helped me get through my own long runs. Seeing and hearing them dedicate themselves to becoming the best runners they could be, and reaffirm that dedication day after day, inspired me immensely and it fuelled my own pursuit.

What do you want to pursue?

Whatever it is, I there are people out there chasing the same goals and sharing their experiences already. Find them, cheer them on and revel in the inspiration they provide. Thank them for their inspiration by supporting them any way you can.

And, for the love of all that's good, let rip. Give it a go! But don't let the buck stop with you. Share your journey. Be the inspiration. And do it out in the open, so that others can find you.