I am starting my own business.

That’s right, a business and I have no idea what it will be yet. I’ve mentioned this to a few people, how I want to start a business but I haven’t had that idea that strikes like a bolt of lightning and makes me say, “holy shit, this is it!”

Actually, that has happened, but I’m still ruminating on it.

There are two things I’m obsessed with: 1) building things, and 2) movements.

The first I know quite a bit about from positions I’ve had over the years. And the second is a relatively new passion that was born out of the love I have of being the voice that connects brands with their customers and from watching organizations like the Girl Effect and Movember harness their communities and ignite a wave of action.

It’s pretty incredible.

So while I research and learn what exactly those two things mean – What do I enjoy most about building things? And what exactly is it about movements that totally draw me in? – and how they’ll work with each other, today, I’m officially coming out as an entrepreneur in training.

I don’t know when I’ll land and settle with an idea that I will want to build, execute, ship, and implement, but it will happen. It’s going to happen. And it will probably happen way sooner than any of us think it will.

And I’m bringing this blog (and you!) with me along the way.

Photo credit: tubb

One night recently, a friend asked a group of us a question that I didn’t have an answer for. It was one of those questions that you ask when getting to know someone and it’s one of those questions that you either know the answer to right away or you don’t. And while everyone in our group shared, one by one, I was scared that by the time it was my turn, I wouldn’t have an answer to share myself.

The question was: Who inspires you?

It’s a simple question, one that you can easily answer by choosing someone close to you who’s made an impact in your life or someone throughout history who has a quote that’s listed on a mug they sell at Barnes & Noble.

But sharing the name of someone who inspires you is like revealing the recipe to your secret sauce. It tells your audience—who honestly may be your best friends—who makes you tick, who motivates you, and who kicks you in the ass and tells you to get the fuck moving forward. And it gives your enemies the plans for how they can take you down.

So here’s another way to think about answering that question. My friend, Mouyyad Abdulhadi of Magic Carpet Blog, gave a talk at IgniteDallas about this subject. His talk is called “24 Years, 24 People, 24 Lessons” and is a snippet from his Ebook of the same name. The premise is he shares stories about 24 people in his life who have taught him something and inspire him daily.

The difference about how Mouyyad answered this question is that he found inspiration from a place that we all know but we always undercut – those we know in our daily, real lives. He also helps bring the question of “Who inspires you?” down from the podium that question has been cast upon. He shows that you can find inspiration not only from one person, but also from multiple people, and each can provide their own kernel that can move you.

I like this. I like that I don’t have to search for one person for all of my strength. I like that I can look to people in my real, every day life and I can admire things that they have done as a way to challenge myself.

If you ask me that question today, I will answer it differently than how I will answer it tomorrow, because inspiration has the ability to change, just like my goals, thoughts, and fears.

So now I turn the question to you, who inspires you? Or how do you see inspiration?

Photo Credit: Louwuselchen

Ambition and passion is infectious. And it’s the one ailment that I want to catch. And catch, and catch, and catch again. And no, I do not want a vaccine for it. Ever.

I’ve written about this before, in my own metaphoric ramblings, and I caught a whiff of it this weekend.

A friend-quaintance asked me to meet over coffee, to pick my brain about how to incorporate social media into the launch strategy for his stealth startup. The startup is a technological solution to a problem that he and his friends deal with everyday. His idea will streamline and simplify things. I have no idea how original it is, but that isn’t why he asked me for coffee.

As he talked through his pitch and outlined his plan, I could see the temperature of his thoughts and his words rise—there was something behind what he talked about that is more than just an idea. He has a plan, an ambition to create something, and the drive to get him and his business partner there.

Passion.

We all talk about it, but how many of us actually listen to the voice inside us that says, “Hey, you’ve got something there,” and go after it? And how many of us pause when we hit the wall and ask others for help on figuring out how to climb over it or knock it down?

The Four Key Players

When it comes to an idea about creating a new product, starting a movement, or creating a legacy, there are four key players who ensure its success. They are:

Founder – This is the person who caught the bolt of lightning during the “Ah ha!” moment and decided to run with it. More than likely the founder is the person who has the mad skills to build the product or the idea and take it to launch, but may not know exactly how.

Producer – This is the person behind the founder who is responsible for “making it happen” so that the Founder and the other key players can concentrate on the product itself. They are the connector. They know whom you should talk to, when you should talk to them, and how you should talk in a way that will net you the resources that you need, when you need them.

Board of Directors – This is a fancy word for mentors. They are the group of people who have done what you are about to do and can guide you through your successes and your failures as you march toward your goal. They believe in what you are setting out to do and if you’re lucky, they see a little bit of themselves in you, and that is their motivation to help you get to where you need to go.

Beta-Evangelists – Then, there is everyone else. These people are the rock stars who make up the support group that is attracted to your passion and sucks it up like a sponge. They are your friends, your fans, your audience, and your customers. They are first in line to test your product, your idea, and give you honest-to-God, straight-up feedback. They are your power-users, your pre-evangelists, your network, and they are more valuable than anyone else in this equation.

You are the founder of your own life and your own ideas. Most of the people who care about you will fit into the last category. And if you’re lucky enough, your spouse or your best friend will be your producer. The hardest thing about working this formula into your professional life—be it how to be successful at climbing the corporate ladder or thinking outside the 9-to-5 and launching your own venture–is taking the first step and voicing outloud, “I want help reaching [my big ambitious goal] and I was wondering if you could help me get there.”

Just Ask

Oh, baby, is it ever so hard to ask for help, especially when you bear your soul about something that is near and dear to you, like being more extraordinary than you already are.

It’s easy to have an idea, but it’s hard to take the first step towards speaking or actualizing that your idea can be something physical, something real, something more-than possible.

Real.

Do you have a personal Board of Directors? How did you go about asking those in your life for help in achieving the goals you only whisper?

Photo Credit: another.point.in.time

When I read last week’s #reverb10 prompt on friendship, one person entered my head immediately. But I don’t want to pull out and highlight how one person’s friendship has really ignited me this year because 1) I don’t want to sound gushy, and 2) I’m a nice person. And in keeping with the trend of thank you speeches at the Oscars, I don’t want to leave anyone out.

Let me tell you a story. You know that I admire people who open up, are vulnerable, and share their ideas about world domination with me. Ideas are infectious and inspiring. When I see someone I care about achieve greatness, it launches me down the same kick ass adventure as them. No one does it alone, and that is so true, especially in my life.

It takes a village

It takes a village to lift an individual to the next degree of greatness. A village made of people who share common interests, speak the same language, and weave in and out of each other’s lives. There are the regulars, the newbs, the tourists, the every-once-in-awhile’s and the causal acquaintances. This village may also be known of as a community.

Every once in a while, the every-once-in-awhile’s and casual acquaintances drop by the village on a more frequent basis. They take a liking to you and you to them. You open up to them and they open up to you. You reveal ideas to them and they reveal the most honest feedback back to you.

You become better because of your conversations with them, or worse. Either way, you’re different from how you were before and a stamp of them is left on you (whether you realize this or not).

It takes my own village

This past year my life has been touched by my true blues, mentors (new, unrecognized, and those from my past), new friends, old friends, quick friends, deep friends, idea-shakers-and-makers, online friends who I’ve never met, and those who are stronger than me but believe that I can do it, too.

Who believe I can do anything. Who make me believe I can do anything.

Belief. That’s the kind of friendship that has made an impression on me this year. There have been a few people throughout 2010 who have paid special attention to me, listened to my dreams and goals, and found a way to help me achieve them in a way that’s not pushing but encouraging. This position is held by a handful of people and some of them may not even know they’re included (others better damn well ).

These friends, if you were to meet them, know what I write about between the lines of this blog. They know what I want more than anything in the world. And they know what drives me.

They have helped me move from one level of Laura-ness to the next. They’ve helped me move from “I have an idea…” to “I can totally do this.”

And one by one, I will show my appreciation to them and for all of this.

How has a friend helped elevate you to the next level of yourself? Has it been just one person or a village of your community?

Photo Credit: Mark Setchell

The word wonder makes me think of a cave where you can find everything you want and everything that you desire. Once you find this cave, however, you have to be smart and not be tempted by all of the wonders that lay in the way between you and what you want to find most. This cave is of course fiction, a la Aladdin.

This is the first #reverb10 prompt that came through and I didn’t know my answer right away. This question is large, deep, and vast, like all wonders should be. And the author is asking us not to find one wonder but to share the recipe for how wonder existed in our lives over the past year.

Kind of a hard prompt if you didn’t march through the past year searching for the marvelous somethings that exist in life.

So I went to Twitter to look for inspiration, read a few posts to see how others interpreted the prompt, and I found my answer.

How did I cultivate a sense of wonder in my life this past year? By walking into a room where I knew nobody and introducing myself.

Networking. Meeting people. Building relationships online and bringing them offline. Asking questions like, “What are you passionate about?” and “Would you like to meet for coffee?” and caring what their answers are.

I find inspiration in connecting with others—from learning about their experiences, sharing how they interpret the world, and emphasizing with their ideas—everything. Even if it’s a brief conversation in line at a coffee shop with someone I will never meet again, they spark my curiosity and offer a new perspective, be it small or VERY LARGE.

Their impact can present itself in an immediate “ah ha!” moment or they can simmer and reveal over time.

Some of these connections have grown from mild curiosities into deep friendships; some have brought me into new social circles and introduced me to incredible experiences; and some have weaved their way into the very core of who I am.

People have the power will surprise you—good or bad—because they are not you. That’s why going through life curious and open is so important to me, and I plan to keep marching through life that way at opportunity that I can.

How have you cultivated a sense of wonder this past year?

Photo Credit: left-hand

Readers of this blog know that Laura looks for ways to make a difference. But, she doesn’t limit her volunteerism to some of the most common ways people lend a hand. She likes to take part in things that are new and different. Need Proof? Check out what she’s done with Workstock, or take a look at her sidebar and learn more about the work of Jolkona.

What this highlights can be summed up in one word: passion. And there’s a lesson here for all of us: we can make a hell of a difference if we know what excites us. Laura’s figured it out and bases her volunteer experiences on it. But what about you? What is it you care about?

As a volunteer, you’ll be more useful and make a more direct impact if you’re excited about the opportunity to give. This is why Laura doesn’t need a way to save the world that’s not innovative or fun; it would be meaningless to her. Chances are, you’re much the same.

So, I’ll ask again: what is it you care about?

If you’re not sure, I’ll keep pushing, this time with an excerpt from my new book, 50 Things Your Life Doesn’t Need. I hope this question can help you tap into something deeper and help you discover something you may be passionate about.

What do you value?

Understanding what it is you treasure and then making decisions in light of those priorities will enable you to stay on course when it comes to defining and then acting on your calling. While value systems and even ethics can differ from one person to the next, making sure that you have an understanding of your own system will help you discover what’s important, what’s worth spending time on, and where you’re willing to make a stand – the three components of a clearly defined answer to this question.

Focusing deeply on this question will help you arrive at a place where you know exactly how you want to make a difference. Then, everything else can go by the wayside – your life doesn’t need it.

More things (actually in the book) that Laura doesn’t need:
#20 – Boring hobbies
#35 – Bucket lists
#44 – Complaints without action

Sam Davidson is a writer, entrepreneur, and dreamer who believes that the world needs more passionate people. To help people find and live their passion, he has written 50 Things Your Life Doesn’t Need. He is the co-founder of Cool People Care and Proof Branding, and lives in Nashville with his wife and daughter.

There are three words that when said in the right way at the right time can make you collapse. When put together, these three words can move metaphorical mountains, change dispositions, and carve alliances you never knew were there. Alone, they are just words. But when charged with the right kind of care, eye contact, and emotion they take on a very different weight.

These words can be spoken, whispered, and sung. They can be written, emailed, texted, and tweeted. Their message can be personal and private. They can be delivered on a whim, during a chance meeting, or at the most awkward time possible.

And they are especially powerful when they come from someone you have an affinity for or who has an affinity for you.

When put together, these three words are:

Thinking of you.

Photo Credit: pfv.

Every so often someone on Twitter or Facebook boldly declares that they are unplugging this weekend, going dark. Usually they’re on their way up the mountains where there’s no cell phone reception. Other times they’re staying in town and just need to mentally unwind. And sometimes they don’t announce it at all and they fall

off the blogosphere.

And it takes awhile before we notice.

Falling off

A friend of mine, Andrew Swenson, recently “fell off the face of the social media earth,” without announcing it (or if he did, I completely missed it). A few of us piped up in between that we missed him. And when he resurfaced, he explained what happened and what he had learned. I admire what Andrew did. He had a lot of things going on in his “real” life and he needed the space to really figure it out for himself.

Being silent & holding back

When someone says that they’re doing this, it is just noise. But when someone just does it, it leaves me wondering what’s going on, what’s really going on in their life. Going dark without letting someone know is like staying out past your curfew when you were in high school; those who care about you get worried.

Being silent online means that something is happening that you can’t quite articulate. There have been a number of things that have happened since I’ve been social-media-ly-social that I have held back from explaining or taken a few days to figure out the right message to deliver the news with. Most of the time it’s about things that don’t matter in the scope of the universe but that matter a lot to me, otherwise I wouldn’t care and would just say it.

That leads to a series of questions—if we are extra social, why do we hold back when life is the most out of our control? Why do we develop these relationships when we’re feeling on top of the world and retreat offline when we aren’t?

Simple: we want people to view us in the way that we want ourselves to be viewed. We are attracted to people who are attracted to us. We want to surround ourselves with safe, positive energy and ideas. It’s human nature. And if we expose ourselves as anything but that then we leave ourselves open for something else—an unknown.

And this unknown is pretty damn scary because it’s our heart that we have bared from our chest and we don’t know how you or anyone else is going to react to it—if they’re going to dance around in it or stomp it out, leaving it and all our ideas pulsing, waiting for the blood to stop flowing and dry out.

If you look across the blogosphere, the “unknowns” we blog about are things that are exciting and exhilarating. We write about challenges that we’re ready to face, how we’re living a life according to our own rules, and how we’re crushing it.

Being affirmative is sexy; being vulnerable with a purpose can be too.

Photo Credit: Leah Makin Photography

The problem with having a topic that you shouldn’t write about is that’s all you want to write about. It’s like creating an editorial calendar to keep the ideas in your head organized on paper, except that you say, “Screw it,” and deviate.

Deviating isn’t the problem – if you get something written, anything written, it’s good. right? Keep your head down. Let your results speak for themselves. Show, don’t tell. Get shit done. All of these kernels of motivation exist to light a fire under your ass, ask you to take a long, hard look at the to-do list you write and re-write every day and ask, “Why the hell isn’t anything crossed off?”

Speak less of your plans, you’ll get more done

That saying came to me one day, wrapped in a fortune cookie. I ate the cookie and kept the fortune. It’s buried nicely in my makeup bag. I keep it there to remind me that when I open my mouth, to let substance come out of it. Keep philosophies and fluff to a minimum. Be genuine, authentic. Make plans and make them happen.

Don’t let the shoe drop. Don’t even pick it up if you don’t intend to carry it all the way.

Photo Credit: ohad*

I have a thought that’s been on the tip of my tongue and in the back of my mind for years. It’s been there, this passion, this desire. But as years move on, priorities shift, and concentrations change, things upon things have been piled on top of it and this idea gets buried deeper and deeper. Now it’s crawling to the surface, cascading through my thoughts like a snowstorm, gaining speed like a typhoon, and consuming me like an avalanche. It wants out.

The evolution of an idea

This idea has an identity all of her own. She’s defining herself based on her actions and celebrating her silent victories. Her voice is gaining momentum and she wants the spotlight that she deserves.

She smells so fresh in the secret little box I keep her in, and I’m nervous to let her out. I’m afraid to let her voice ring from the rooftops, roar louder than thunder, and serenade mightier than my favorite rock band ever could, because that’s exactly what she’ll do. I am anxious about the person she’ll turn me in to.

Truth

I am so close to breathing about her and so uneasy about the force voicing her into existence will mean. It’s one thing to think it and another to speak it. I mentioned it to my sister today, just barely. She said she’s never understood why I haven’t embraced it. I have yet to voice it to John, though I know it won’t surprise him either.

This is something I’ve always wanted, always identified with. It’s so obvious and yet something I’ve kept so far away. It’s holding me back. The only person I’m fooling is me.

Photo Credit: Beatriz AG