Cover Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/6jYoil2GhVk

This morning I woke up to a really nice message from a reader of this story I wrote: Stop Being What You Can, Start Being What You Want. Here’s part of it:

“[…] I wasn’t courageous enough and there’s too much negativity and pessimism from my family and society. However, this year is different. After reading many inspiring stories like yours and getting so sick of this mediocre life, I’ve decided to make the most crazy change ever.” — Introvert Vicky

That spoke to me greatly.

If you’re reading this, I’m sure it’s speaking to you too.

How many times have we stopped doing what we really wanted to do because it was less conventional or frown upon by people around us?

We can change that!

And Vicky might not know it, but she’s on the right track here. Let me emphasize a part of her message that I think proves she’s on the right track:

After reading many inspiring stories like yours […]

Yesterday I gave a talk at the co-working space I work from. It was about Life and Work Productivity Hacks. At one point in the presentation, I explained that I didn’t always used to be productive and driven like I am now.

And then I got a follow-up question asking me “How” I became driven like that, and I wasn’t sure what to answer.

I didn’t consciously become driven. I didn’t wake up one morning and thought to myself: “Okay, starting today, I’ll have all the motivation in the world to do anything I want”. I didn’t plan for it. That would never have worked. No one’s that great.

After reading Vicky’s message this morning, things became clearer. I’ve been reading a lot of awesome stories from other writers here on Medium. Basically every day for the past 6 months. This motivated me to consciously learn 3 new skills every month.

It turns out, I became everything I’ve been reading for the past 6 months.

So I want to apply what I’m preaching, and thanking the writers who inspired me to be what I am today:

A big thank you to the following writers I’ve been following and reading frequently:

Also a big thank you to the following publications for which I’m either reading and/or writing for:

Let them inspire you.

Learn from them.

Before you know it, you will be the person they talk about in their stories.

You will have changed your life for what you really want to be.

Conclusion

Whether this is the first story you read here or you’ve been reading for a while, let these incredible writers inspire you. Keep reading. You’ll see repeating patterns but told from very different perspectives. You’ll share stories with them. You will build trust in them, but most importantly, trust in yourself.

Keep reading what inspires you and you will become inspiring yourself.

You can do this!

Thanks for reading! :)