Why Inspiration Matters

In the softball world, obsession about finding the “edge” over the competition or trying to find the “motivation” to get out and practice, causes us to overlook the important role of inspiration. 

How are motivation and inspiration different? I think inspiration has to do with feelings, excitement, and creativity. It has to do with a person allowing an outside force to act within him or herself. 

Motivation, on the other hand, is about will. It’s about habits and is self-imposed through some sort of discipline. 

I was inspired to play as a young girl by my uncle, who’s passion and joy around the sport became contagious. His daughter, my cousin, had the same drive . All the games I had to watch inspired me with her competitiveness. It seems cool to care.

One study concluded that those with inspiration had “higher levels of psychological resources, including belief in their own abilities, self-esteem, and optimism. Mastery of work, absorption, creativity, perceived competence, self-esteem, and optimism were all consequences of inspiration.”

I appreciate both motivation and inspiration, but this past month my students, parents, and instructors have inspired me. I want to share with you what they’ve done.

I just can’t stop making these videos.  These clips are from our “School’s Out Workouts” we post daily on our website and Instagram. They are also from our new inseason sessions, which we changed to virtual once the stay-at-home order began. Players and parents - you inspire me when you keep practicing and have fun doing it. You will be better in the end because of the work you put in now. 

Scott Barry Kaufman, Why Inspiration Matters, Harvard Business Review, November 8, 2011, https://hbr.org/2011/11/why-inspiration-matters