The source of all energy:getting to the 'sweet spot'
Author: Zoe Routh

Everything we do and desire requires energy. Discover the endless and boundless source of energy.

Everything we desire and do requires energy. Where does this energy come from? It originates first of all with a thought; an electrical impulse fires off a chemical reaction in our body that causes us to react in some way.

Some thoughts fill us with energy while others drain us. Consider the difference between these two thoughts:

What was your reaction to each of those sentences? Chances are you felt some heaviness with the first one and its focus on 'poor'. It probably conjured images of desperation and despair, suffering, and struggle. What happened with the second one? What happens for me when I read that sentence is that I feel inspired, open to wonder, and start to delight in the possibilities and meanings of this statement.

What is captured here in these two sentences is the difference between 'inspiration' and 'motivation'. Consider the following definitions:

To inspire: To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens, or exalts.

Inspiration: A supernatural influence that qualifies men to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated.

To motivate: To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage.

Motivation: A reason for doing something.

One feels heavy and full of struggle (motivation) while the other feels light, lively, and exciting (inspiration). The thought "I don't want to be poor" calls up motivation. I.e. the reason to take action is to avoid being poor. The thought "I am rich beyond measure" taps into something much greater than just 'not being poor'. It calls on possibilities, it causes us to explore the real meaning of 'rich', and the notion of 'beyond measure' is infinite and magical. It calls us to think, feel, be, and do much bigger and grander than before. It is an inspiring thought!

When we want to create, produce, or achieve something we can choose the heavier, more difficult path of motivation, or we can focus on the true inspiration behind the action.

Let's look at a common issue: the need to exercise. Many of my clients complain they lack motivation to exercise. They are looking for a reason, an incentive, or some encouragement to follow through. The reasons they have are not enough to cause consistent action. For example, exercising with the motivation to 'lose weight' does not create much incentive. It just sounds like plain hard work! If however the thought of exercise was built around something that inspires you, that touches the deepest part of your spirit, then the energy will be there to take action.

What inspiration can you have for exercise? How about one of these statements: "I exercise to honour this fabulous instrument that allows me to experience life more fully." "I exercise to commune with nature and my higher spirit." "I exercise to feel alive and free." "I exercise so I can be my best in all of my life." "I exercise to role model for and inspire my kids." "I exercise to connect with who I really am."

When you really feel these thoughts, then getting out the door with your runners on becomes much easier and more meaningful.

What about reasons for working? When you think about work, what do you tell yourself about 'why' you do it? Are the reasons inspiring, or are they more like you are flogging yourself to get out of bed each morning to face the day? Do you think, "I need to pay the bills"? Or do you think, "I contribute to a cause that resonates with what I most cherish"? Do you think, "I am just a cog in a machine" or "I serve others through my unique talents and gifts and am richly rewarded"?

All this discussion leads us to the 'Sweet Spot". The "Sweet Spot" is the place where an individual lives in a place of inspiration. What you think, feel, and do is completely aligned with your sense of destiny and calling. This is where the source of energy is boundless and actions flow effortlessly towards achieving your intentions. You have no need for motivation for everything you do flows from a higher place that fills you with life.

It's a great way to live.

So how do you move from motivation to inspiration? How do you live in your own brilliant sweet spot? It all starts with a single thought..."My life is worth it."

What are you waiting for? After all, it is YOUR life you are living!

Laser Thoughts

"Eastward the downs rose, ridge beyond ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into a guess, it was no more than a guess of blue and a remote white glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." - J R R Tolkien

"Listen to the salutation of the dawn, look well to this day. For it is life, the very life of life. In its brief span lie all the verities and realities of your existence, the bliss of growth, the glory of action, the splendour of achievement. For yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes of every yesterday a memory of happiness. And of every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day for it is life. This is the salutation of the dawn." - Sanskrit Prayer


Zoë Routh

Copyright Inner Compass 2006
Cancer survivor Zoe Routh is the Head Coach at Inner Compass, a personal development organisation that helps busy professionals work less and achieve more. Inner Compass offers practical strategies and solutions to improve personal effectiveness and live an inspired life. http://www.innercompass.com.au

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