It may seem like a subtle distinction, but the worlds of motivation and inspiration are millions of miles apart.

A lot of people use the words motivated and inspired interchangeably. But Ive found something different to be the case.

When I try to motivate myself, nine times out of ten Im pushing myself to do something I dont really care about.

Motivation is about psyching yourself up. Chest-pounding. Fire-walking. Heavy-metal riffs. You get the point.

Inspiration comes from a completely different place. The word inspiration means to be in spirit. When youre tuned into your spirit, you are naturally drawn to do whatever feels best. You may do things that arent outwardly productive. Or you may write a book in 30 days. Either way, its all good because fulfillment is the end result.

Motivation, on the other hand, usually has a lot to do with fake growth. You think you should be doing something (without thinking about why) and it often leads in the direction of something that doesnt really matter. Its what youre supposed to be doing. Its just a good idea, not a passionate, burning desire that emanates from the core of your being.

So, motivation is about things that you think you should do or that youre supposed to do. Inspiration is about being called to act because youre in direct alignment with the magnetic, luminous marrow of potential that is you.

When youre inspired you know because

I asked a few people on Twitter what their thoughts were, and here were some of my favorite responses:

Motivation is required when youre not aligned with your highest values. Tony

Motivation is not always positive. Haidn Foster

Motivation is external, inspiration is internal Simon Lawry

Motivation is inner drive to fulfill goal. Inspiration is having a glimpse of who you really are. Bambooforest

Motivation is the push. Inspiration is the pull. (I love this response!) Natalie DeBruin

Its interesting to me how everyone sees inspiration and motivation differently. But how do we actually stay inspired?

You might be thinking How do I get inspired? Well, you cant. Inspiration isnt something you get, it comes from within, it comes from your core.

So being inspired isnt about doing something external to bring something in. Thats motivation, remember?

Being inspired is about a constant process of realignment. Whenever youre feeling like you have to push, its time to realign. Whenever youre feeling like youre not enjoying life, its time to realign. Whenever you feel like youre trying to fulfill a quota or expectation, its time to realign.

Realignment isnt anything complicated. Its very simple, actually. All it involves is drawing inward and exploring what you really want. Your home cosmography, as Thoreau put it.

So, what do you really want? Not what should you want, not what you think might be a good idea for you to want. What lights you up? Once youve got a grasp on that, stay with it for a little while. Bathe in it, savor it. Taste it on your tongue. Feel it tingling down your spine.

It feels good, doesnt it?

If it doesnt feel good, youre still not there. Keep going.

Once youve come to that state of anticipation, youre inspired. Youre In Spirit. And youd rather have that than trying to motivate yourself, right?

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Inspiration vs. Motivation - Paid to Exist