Rob Hardy’s Amazing Stories Yields Amazing Inspiration
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” –Zig Ziglar
I understand why daily motivation is recommended because it’s easy to let negative noises around you drown out the inner voice within that’s telling you to go after your dreams. Every now and then, you need something or someone to come along and reinforce the passion and fortitude within you. Every now and then you need that extra push to keep the momentum going, and this weekend, the motivation momentum was in full effect.
On Sunday, I had the wonderful pleasure of hearing one of the today’s most influential entertainment industry professionals – Rob Hardy. For those of you who may not be familiar, he, along with Will Packer and their company, Rainforest Films, are the powerhouses behind some of our favorite movies including: Ride Along, Think Like a Man, Stomp the Yard and one of my personal favorites, This Christmas – just to name a few. Rob is also a nominee for the HBO Director to Watch Award1.
It’s so refreshing and I get so inspired when I hear stories from successful people and I hear about their humble beginnings or their struggles along their journey towards success. We all have a story and in some way or another have had to overcome something or someone along our journey. So, when I heard about Rob Hardy’s Amazing Stories, I knew I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.
During his one-man show, Rob Hardy literally took us on a journey from his childhood all the way up to some of his most recent success. We literally got a glimpse into his imagination and the influence that led to his passion toward his career in TV and film. Rob wasn’t even 5 minutes into his show and I was already engaged when he started off by saying, “People are resilient.” As soon as he said this, I found myself reflecting over my life and all of the things that I was able to overcome in my own life and declared within myself, “Yes, I am resilient;” and not because of my own strength but because of the strength and power of God in me.
During intermission, I remember looking over to my neighbor, an aspiring developer, and we were practically speechless. We felt so overwhelmingly connected to Rob’s stories and his past experiences. We could relate to the lessons he shared and even some of the struggles and disappointments that occurred throughout his journey. So much of his story and his passions seemed to mirror much of our own lives. It was basically affirmation of everything I once thought, felt or said about my own life.
When you’re somewhat of the “creative” one of the bunch or the one who seems to dream a little differently than others, it can feel as if people don’t understand you. There are days when you feel like they don’t get it because to others your goals sound outlandish, nontraditional and/or even impossible.
Consequently, we find ourselves reluctant to tell certain people about our dreams because either they won’t understand or even worse, they’ll discourage us or plant seeds of doubt – whether willingly or unknowingly. Hence, that’s why it’s so important to surround yourself around fellow believers and like-minded people who know where you’re coming from. Moreover, always be cautious in sharing your goals because not everyone will support and encourage you along the journey.
If it’s hard to find people around to help motivate you, let me help be that friend for you today. Just like Rob said, “we all need inspiration.” There’s no way I can tell Rob’s story like he did and I wouldn’t even begin to try and re-tell it because I want others to experience it in the same way I did.
Nevertheless, because I was so enthused and inspired because of Rob Hardy’s Amazing Stories, I can’t help but to share at least some of the enlightening pieces of wisdom and quotes that were shared in hopes of encouraging and motivating someone else.
- “Dare to begin.” Whatever it is that’s keeping you from starting, don’t let it keep you another day. Give yourself a hard deadline and goal and make it happen. Trust me, it works.
- Don’t be afraid to explore, try new things and embrace change because “when life brings you change, it becomes a new adventure” and “new experiences broaden our horizons.”
- Nurture your imagination because “imagination is what we need on our journey to keep us inspired.”
- Do what you love; not just what people expect you to do because “people will try to put labels on you to keep you in the box they want you in.”
- Sometimes, “by not getting what we want at the time, we become what we’re supposed to be.” So, “embrace where you are in life and stop wishing you were somewhere you weren’t meant to be.”
- “Like those who like you. Then, you won’t have to waste time, energy and even resources trying to get other people to like you.”
- Don’t forget to have fun and live life.
- “While you’re pursuing your dream, keep doing what you can to make money that will allow you to continue to pursue your dream.”
- “Do your own thing and people will begin to notice you.”
- “Don’t waste your time trying to explain who you are to people who are committed to misunderstanding you.” So often we get discouraged with people who either question our dreams or dissuade us from pursuing our passions, but we can’t focus on that because the more we’re focused on them, the less we’ll focus on what’s important.
It reminded me of something I posted just last week:
Not everyone will get it.
Not everyone will see it.
Not everyone will understand.
Not everyone will support you.
But they don’t have to
Because it’s not for everyone
When it’s just for you.
1 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362734/
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