/ɪnspɪˈreɪʃ(ə)n/

Noun: inspiration

1.the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
 

Inspiration is prevailing, but it can be very difficult to be a positive influence and inspire people around you. To inspire and be inspired read the below 20 ways to inspiration:

1. Be enthusiastic.

“Enthusiasm is contagious” as the saying goes is quite true. Reflecting enthusiasm daily to the people in your surrounding will result in them returning that smile, positive energy and caring nature even more.

2. Care.

Show people that you genuinely care in your words as well as actions, small acts of kindness can go a long way and inspire them more than you could imagine.

3. Earn trust.

Avoid gossip in the workplace to ensure you maintain the trust you have gained from people, it takes seconds to destroy trust that is built in years. People should want to share their secrets with you, without being afraid that you will betray them.

4. Be an active listener.

Listen actively and comprehend those words to fully understand the meaning behind them. Make eye-contact if someone talks to you about their problems and ask follow-up questions to show them you care about what they are going through.

5. Build people up.

Small compliments have a way of brightening any day, regardless of the dark shadows that may be overhead. Tell someone they look nice or compliment them on their way of addressing an issue or just greet them with a smile.

6. Stand your ground.

Stand strong if you want to show the people around you that even the worst of situations can be overcome with positive thinking, continuous improvement, and a never-say-die attitude.

7. Admit your flaws.

It is important to acknowledge the fact that we are all human beings, and thus are all characteristically imperfect. Everyone has at least one weakness, so accept your short comings to humanize yourself so people can relate to you on a deeper level.

8. If it’s not positive, don’t say it.

No one likes to be criticized, so if you don’t have anything positive to say, don’t say it at all.

9. Reach for the stars.

Be ambitious, aim high, and never surrender if you want to inspire people that they, too, can accomplish anything they set their mind to.

10. Stay calm and cool.

How people react to insults or criticism speaks highly about their ability to inspire others. If you respond to hate with more hate, how are you any better than the person who started the confrontation. No matter how out-of-place or harsh an insult was, it’s best to stay calm and cool, because getting upset will not make you feel any better.

12. Walk with confidence.

Keep your head high and eyes forward so you can say, “Hello,” or, “How are you?” to everyone you walk past. Walk so that you reflect confidence in who you are.

13. Deliver constructive criticism.

Constructive criticism should only be delivered if it is asked for, deliver it in a positive manner.

11. Treat everyone equally.

We are all equal human beings irrespective of our gender, politics, race, religion, and other factors. Love and care for people without consideration of these irrelevant factors that have no impact on the quality of a person. Treat others how they want to be treated, no matter their background, to inspire trust and confidence.

14. Stay true to who you are.

A lot of us have a variety of “selves” that come out depending on the social situation: home, work, and friends all require a different song-and-dance. But putting on a different show for every group of people you encounter is super exhausting. Embrace your true self without apology.

15. Acknowledge contributions of others.

No matter how wonderful you are, you’re just one person, so I’m sure others have contributed to your extreme successes in life. Recognize the contribution publicly if at all possible, to show people you’re humble and thoughtful enough to give credit where it’s due.

16. Keep your promises.

If you offered to help with a cause and you get invited to a movie or something more interesting, you need to keep your word, no matter how much more fun the other thing may be. It’s easy to ditch our responsibilities when a more interesting opportunity presents itself, but this is a sure way to destroy the trust you’ve worked so hard to earn, so it would be wise to keep your word no matter what.

17. Share your influences.

Share sources of inspiration that helped guide you in the most important decisions in your life. How did you become the happy, healthy, positive person you are today? Share the influences that shaped who you are so others can also benefit.

18. Explore alternative thoughts and ideas.

Anyone who thinks they have all the answers is kidding themselves, make a point of challenging your beliefs on a regular basis. If you’re fiscally conservative, explore a well-thought out piece by someone on the opposite end of the political spectrum so you can see the other side of the story. You’ll also develop trust in people who think differently than you do, who otherwise might have been afraid to approach you. 

19. Never add insult to injury.

If you win an argument, there is no need to brag about it.

20. Set people free.

Don’t merely give people step-by-step advice, but instead give them the freedom to figure it out by themselves. No one likes a micro-manager. If you’re asked for help, deliver a rough guideline to get a person moving in the right direction, but intentionally leave something left to the imagination so they will have the freedom to fill-in-the-blanks. When a person discovers they are capable of figuring things out by their lonesome, they will discover they are more powerful than they ever thought possible.

Credit: Daniel Wallen - The Simplest Ways to Inspire People And Change Their Life;

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/20-ways-inspire-people-around-you.html