Do you often think of the words that exist within words and how they expand and deepen meaning? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks an about the word inspiration.
Rob Artigo: This is a good reading that we’re going to do here. This is from the Zen of Zinn 3, your third book in this series, inspirational quotes, Proverbs and things like that that you have written over time. And let me just read one of them. This is from page 215. I flip through these every once in a while just looking for different ones that catch my attention and might be worthy of a podcast. And I think this one is, so let’s read this one. It’s very short.
You wrote, “Blended into the word inspiration is the word spirit, so having inspiration is receiving ideas or thoughts by being in spirit. This happens when we are contemplating deeply in almost a spiritual way. To be truly inspired takes a thoughtful meditation, somewhat prayerful in nature, keep our thoughts pure and devoid of worldly things will greatly enhance inspiration.” So that was interesting and that’s the end of the writing there. Talk to me about inspiration having the word spirit blended in it, and what was your thought process when you came up with this?
Ray Zinn: It came to me that people who are truly inspired tend to be more spiritual. In other words, they’re not just out there in your face. These people are more humble. They’re more reflective. They think more deeply about something. They’re not casual. And so that’s what I meant about people who are thoughtful, who are inspired. And that’s how you write a book. Actually, a book is written because you’re inspired, and that comes across in the book. Otherwise, it just becomes something like physics book or something. You want to be inspired. Like when I gave my commencement address, you want to inspire those young people or those people you’re trying to reach. And to do that, you have to be thoughtful. You have to be deeply humble and prayerful and inspirational in the way you address people. Being upfront, not condescending, avoiding using vulgar language also helps you to be more inspirational.
Rob Artigo: You think that one of the contributors to positive motivation comes from that part of contemplating the deep spiritual idea and thinking?
Ray Zinn: Yes, sure. Absolutely. People can tell when you’re inspired because you’re not coming across worldly. You come across more authentic. And that’s what people want. People want you to be authentic, real, not made up, not false, not doctored. You want to come across as a real person.
Rob Artigo: It’s interesting you talk about authenticity. That’s something that has come up a lot in politics these days. The politicians are doing lots of videos and they’re putting them on YouTube and X and whatnot to garner attention and things. One of the criticisms often is that they don’t come across as being authentic, and part of that is that they aren’t really coming from a place of authenticity and of spiritual fitness.
Ray Zinn: Well, we all have our, as you would, ghosts or skeletons in the closet. And so people don’t expect you to be perfect. They’re not looking for a perfect person. But what they are looking for is somebody who’s authentic, who is real, who is looking out for their best interest and not their own. So if you look like all you’re doing is pumping yourself up, if you’re just focused on you, if everything that you say is I and me and whatever, then you’re not going to come across as authentic. The most authentic people are people who are interested in you, the listener, as opposed to interested in themselves. That’s where you’re going to get the authenticity or genuine response from an inspired person.
Rob Artigo: Yeah, I suppose that if you are authentic, that will inspire other people just by kind of a reciprocal thing. If you’re inspired and you come across as authentic, the person who’s perceiving it also can be inspired by your words and your actions.
Ray Zinn: You want them to be listeners, okay? And if they’re turned off, if you turn them off, then they’re no longer going to be inspired because the only way you’re going to inspire somebody is if they’re listening and they’re listening intently. So you want to come across as a very humble, very humble, and genuine person. I’m interested in you. I’m not talking about me. So avoid talking about yourself. People don’t care to hear about yourself. They want to hear about them. They want to know how you’re going to help them. How can I help? When you do your inspirational conversation, as you would, just say, “How can I help?” in your mind. Not that you’re going to say it out loud, but you would just say, in my mind, “How can I help this person?” That’s when you become inspirational.
Rob Artigo: Well, Ray, good conversation. I should tell the listeners that if they want to continue the conversation, they can check you out at ToughThingsFirst.com. Questions and comments are always welcome. Also, follow Ray on X, Facebook and LinkedIn, and pick up Ray’s books, Tough Things First and the Zen of Zinn series, 1, 2, and 3. On sale now, The Essential Leader: 10 Skills, Attributes, and Fundamentals that Make Up The Essential Leader. Thank you, Ray.
Ray Zinn: Thanks, Rob.
