What’s the difference between motivation and inspiration?
Most people use them interchangeably.
But actually, there’s a world of difference between motivation and inspiration.
This key difference was revealed to me when I started looking into the etymology of the words.
Etymology can be a powerful lens that provides insight into reality. Why? Because how people put words to things reveals a lot.
Let’s break down motivation and inspiration…
The Etymology of Motivation
Motivation obviously comes from the word motivate, and motivate comes from motive.
The Proto-Indo-European root of motive is “meue” which means “to push away.”
This means that the root of motivation equates to pushing.
Now let’s connect some dots…
We all know people that are “motivation junkies” or “seminar junkies.” They go to some kind of event, where there’s a motivational speaker, and they get really excited.
But a couple weeks later, it’s back to normal… Until they get their next dose of motivation.
Motivation is a push. And pushing isn’t sustainable.
Many people look for other people to push them, that’s why there are so many motivational speakers and motivational YouTube videos.
But what happens when you don’t sustain it yourself? It becomes an addiction.
That’s why you see people get high off of a seminar or video, then quickly fall back into their old patterns.
Lasting change doesn’t work that way. It needs to come from within, or else it’s another addiction of chasing the high.
That leads us to inspiration…
The Etymology of Inspiration
Inspiration comes from the Latin word inspirare, which means, “blow into, breathe upon.” This consists of two parts, in (which means “in”) and spirare (which means “to breathe”).
Guess what other word comes from spirare? Spirit!
Are the dots connecting?
Inspiration is when Spirit breathes into you, or when you breathe into Spirit.
And how is this done? Through the breath. When you consciously breath, you connect with your spiritual self, and inspiration comes through.
So inspiration is tuning in and using that inner wisdom as a guiding force.
This means that inspiration is always available. You don’t need anyone or anything to pump you up. All you need to do is breathe, tune in and move with that inner guidance.
Let’s summarize the etymology here:
- Motivation = Pushing (External)
- Inspiration = Tune into your inner guidance
Inspired Action
Now what’s the key takeaway here?
I’m not dissing motivational speakers or events. I’m just saying that you don’t need to depend on them.
Inspiration is always with you.
There’s no need to constantly push yourself. There’s no need to burn yourself out with manic action.
Instead, take INSPIRED ACTION.
Remember to breathe, tune in, and allow inspiration to come through.
Do this multiple times per day to check in with yourself. Because the more you breath and tune in, the more you get into inspired flow.
And through this inspired flow state, you create prolifically without it feeling like hard work. It’s a flowing focus.
Tuning into inspiration allows you to flow towards your vision with joy and ease.
Find your breath, tune in and in-joy.
Love & Blessings.
~ Stephen Parato
PS – Here’s a video I made about Motivation vs Inspiration
