Is there someone who inspires you—or do you think you could be an inspiration for some? Allowing yourself to be a role model or for others to follow you can be a noble calling. Being great and successful at what you do feel good; but it is even more thrilling if you inspire others to achieve their own success and excellence as well. The joy in helping someone without you making such a huge effort is invigorating because not only will it compel you to be better and do better and ultimately improve yourself, it could also cultivate a sense of joy in helping someone to improve themselves also.

Now this reminds me of a particular friend of mine who told me his brief story from the past of how someone inspired him. You see, he grew up in a small town (he’s a small town lad). And after graduating from high school, he decided to enroll in college in Raleigh, North Carolina and although the college he attended was only a few miles south of the house of his parents, the differences were quite remarkable. These differences were mostly about the people in Raleigh compared to the people in his hometown. When he was in high school, he really wanted to be a part of his high school basketball team.

Unfortunately, the coaches there observed and later concluded that his athletic skills didn’t fit in with their standards. Nevertheless, he still pursued and tried out for the team one year after but simply was not still ready for it. His solution was to audition for the football team this time. Anyway, their high school coach led their high school to victorious triumph in the North Carolina state during his second year in school. This time around, during his junior year in high school, at last, he finally made it in their football team. The reason—he strived and excelled simply because he has a great and motivating role model—their very own football coach.

Well actually, he inspired my friend to believe that he could reach and accomplish anything and everything he put his heart and mind to. Okay, so fast forward two years later he was attending college. North Carolina, specifically Raleigh, is home to several universities and colleges in the state. At that time, one of the more well-known coaches in college was Lou Holtz. During Coach Holtz’s tenure at North Carolina State University, he led the team—North Carolina Wolfpack to prominence. After graduating from college and joining the USAF, my friend still admire Holtz. He met Coach Holtz while attending a convention in Missouri, specifically Kansas City.

Coach Holtz was one of the keynote speakers at the conference which my friend attended. Since my friend is also a speaker and they travel in the same circles, Lou Holt still continues to inspire him up to this day. And to think that my friend doesn’t really personally know Coach Lou Holtz, he reads Holtz’s books and attends conventions he speaks at. Such was the influence and inspiration people could imprint on you even they don’t really know you. But there are people that know you and you could inspire as numerous as you can. By living the best life you can, people want you to inspire them and see what a great difference it will make.

Author's Bio: 

The author of this article Amy Twain is a Self Improvement Coach who has been successfully coaching and guiding clients for many years. Amy just published a new home study course on how to boost your Self Esteem overnight. More info about this “Quick-Action Plan for A More Confident You” is available at FabulousSelfEsteem.com.