We Can All Inspire

I've been trying to process the passing of Steve Jobs.

I was driving into Boston to host an event with Ann Handley when the news popped up on my phone. I was instantly hit with this great sadness and a rush of emotions. I didn't expect this to happen and I haven't been able to stop thinking about him and what he meant to my life since that moment.

Inspiration is a weird thing. You never know who may give it to you or when it is going to come.

My life was directly inspired by the products that were developed at Apple. When I saw my first Mac I feel in love with computers and needed one. Hours after getting my first iPod I recorded a podcast which would change my life forever. I now live my life and run my business from anywhere in the world from my iPad, iPhone and Macbook Air. Some could write this off to natural technological innovation, but to me it was always something more.

The technology was cool, beautiful and helpful, but the man himself was equally inspiring to me. Early on he told me that I could be one of the crazy ones and that was ok. I remember sitting in my office at Babson and watching his famous 2005 Stanford Commencement Address for the first time on iTunes U and knew that I had to make changes in my life because I wasn't really doing what I wanted to be.

Looking at my life, the list of people who have inspired me is a long one. The variety is funny when I think about the fact that it would of course include my father and grandfather at the top, but it would also include Kevin Smith, Guy Kawasaki, Marcus Buckingham, Seth Godin and a slew of others.

I'm surrounded by some of the most talented and creative people in the world and they inspire me every day. Most days I'm scared to read the latest post from Karen Walrond or Julien Smith because I know they are going to kickstart something in my brain.

Inspiration is a beautiful thing. You can inspire people around you. Sometimes it will be something small you said. An action you took.

What is great about inspiration is that you can't force it or plan for it. It is one of those amazing things that will happen, you'll smile and life changes.

Drawing from Hugh Macleod