Inspiration

Executive summary by Kenneth MacLean

I believe that there is a subtle and powerful distinction between motivation and inspiration.
Motivation can also happen on the reflexive flow, or self–to–self. Usually, motivation requires a kick in the butt from self or another, in order to reach a stated goal. How effective is motivation along the road to manifestation?
In politics, motivation is enforced by law. If you don’t pay your traffic ticket, your drivers license is suspended. Failure to pay your taxes results in a judgment against you, fines, and even jail. A cursory look at our society shows us that motivation by punishment doesn’t really prevent law breaking. Congress never reads the laws it passes).
Self–motivation is a little better, because it involves more free choice. Inspiration is entirely self–generated, and comes from within. “Why aren’t I passionate about my life?” If you examine your life you’ll see that the things you don’t like doing NEVER come from inspired decisions! The answer is that the state of being with which you created your job, and with which you continue to create your job, is not self–inspired!
[fractal image of a seahorse. Sorry, but images aren't allowed in this article]
A fractal is extremely sensitive to changes in the initial statement. Your initial decision or intention guides your actions and the way you feel, until another decision or intention is made. The difference between motivation and inspiration is very subtle, but also very powerful.
Exercise:
1) Write down an area of life that is not going as well as you’d like.
2) Examine your thoughts and your beliefs in this area. Write them down without editing or trying to make yourself look good.
3) Examine your list and decide if there is any way you could change these thoughts in a more positive direction.
4) Do 3) until you feel inspired.

Motivational Quotes About Aspiration and Life
Executive summary By Shawn B

Take the time to dig through them and glean the great lessons that they hold.
1. When a young man sets out to learn something of his own free will, he marks himself out as an exceptional man. And he begins to rise in the world. -Herbert N. Casson
2. Life is a petty thing unless it is moved by the indomitable urge to extend its boundaries. Only in proportion as we are desirous of living do we really live. - Jose Ortega y Gasset
3. It is asked, how can the laboring man find time for self-culture? I answer that an earnest purpose finds time or makes it. It seizes on spare moments and turns fragments to golden account. A man who follows his calling with industry and spirit, and uses his earnings economically, will always have some portion of the day at command. And it is astonishing how fruitful of improvement a short season becomes when eagerly seized and faithfully used. It has often been observed, that those who have the most time at their disposal profit by it the least. A single hour a day, steadily given to the study of some interesting subject, brings unexpected accumulations of knowledge. -Channing
4. Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure. -Thomas Edison
5. I am suffocated and lost when I have not the bright feeling of progression. -Margaret Fuller
6. I know of no more encouraging fact than the ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. It is something to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so make a few objects beautiful. It is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look. This morally we can do. -Thoreau
7. What would be the use of immortality to a person who cannot use well a half hour? -Emerson
8. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. -Mark Twain
9. If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness. -Thoreau
10. 1) Sit quietly for a moment, and you realize how you have been foolishly running about.
2) Learn to keep your mouth shut, and you realize you have been talking too much.
3) Avoid getting involved in too many things, and you realize that you have been wasting your time in unnecessary things.
4) Close the door, and you realize that you have been mixed up with too many kinds of people.
5) Have few desires, and you realize why you have had so many ills.
6) Be human, and you realize that you have been too critical of others. -Chen Chiju (1588-1639)

Self-Help Ebooks - Inspiration and Motivation Mean Profits
Executive summary By Angela Booth

Let's look at three ways you could find topics for a self-help ebook.
1. What self-help topics are you interested in?
Start with your own interests. For example, you may be interested in stress relief, time management, writing (yes, you can include writing in the self-help field), and financial management.
Make a list of any topics you're interested in currently.
Also list any self-help topics you've been interested in in the past. You may have joined a gym at some stage, and been interested in fitness. Perhaps you've just had a baby, and read lots of "baby" books while you were happily pregnant. Perhaps you explored alternative medicine.
A tip: if you're writing an ebook on any topic connected with health, have the ebook vetted by a health professional before you offer it for sale. It's vital that you give good information.
2. Make a list of challenges you've overcome
Your own challenges are also a prime area in which you can find ebook topics.
Perhaps you've been broke, and have paid off all your debts - debt management is a great topic for an ebook. Or perhaps you've suffered a health challenge and have overcome it. If this is your story, share it with others.
3. What's on Amazon's bestseller list?
I love the Amazon bestseller list - it's always crammed with self-help books, and they can give you excellent ideas for self-help ebooks.
For example, I've just checked over the list, and found books on life management, finding a purpose for your life, guilt-free eating, and attracting wealth.
Any of those topics have many sub-topics which you could explore in an ebook.
Here's a bonus tip. Self-help ebook ideas are everywhere. Check out what your friends are reading, and what challenges they're facing. Your next ebook could be just a conversation away.
Happy writing - self-help ebooks are a goldmine. Get yourself a shovel, and start digging for gold today.