Turn me on, motivation.

Inspiration is a fickle thing. One day you can be inspired by greatness, the next you can be inspired by having a nice sandwich for lunch. Moments come and pass. But whatever it is that makes you want to get up and go, inspiration is something we all need from time to time. We tend to think that this only applies to the creative industries, but the reality is that without it most people would struggle to be motivated to do what they do on a daily basis.

Take today, for example. I was at a talk given by an accountant. Straight away I imagine you're all thinking what I thought, and to be fair at the end of the talk I was still thinking the same thing. She hadn't really changed my perceptions on accountancy, but she did give me a free pen so I guess that's a point earned. Well done.  But despite her talk not inspiring me, something must have inspired her to want to give it. I imagine it was probably money, but let's pretend it wasn't. Let's pretend it was something better like the beauty of a newly evolved butterfly or the way the sun glistens off a summer lake. That sort of shit.

This lake makes me want to be a writer, and learn how to swim.

It got me thinking about what turned me on motivation-wise and why it is I do what I do. It certainly isn't money; I left a decent paying job to go self employed and several letters from the bank since I am well aware that it was not the best decision financially. Of course I was made aware of this sooner by two, let's say disagreeing flatmates (I can't call them pricks, imagine if I did? That would be awful.) 'Why are you doing this, Ash?' they said. 'Why not stay being bored and earning money so that our lives are easier?'

But the reason is obvious, when you think about it. Countless people spend their entire lives doing something they don't really enjoy just for the sake of being able to pay bills. While paying bills is unfortunately quite important, it surely can't be as important as being happy? And that, really, is what it comes down to. Happiness inspires me. Happiness makes me want to be better and more successful at what I do. I want people to think of me as being good at something, I want to be better than some people ever thought I could be. That's what gets me up in the morning and makes me buy the cheap coffee because I am sacrificing the means to buy the nicer Christmas versions.

Of course if I can earn money at the SAME TIME (OMG is that even possible?!?) then that would be a bonus. I hope the accountancy lady is happy with what she does, and that numbers and taxes give her a thrill, because it would be sad otherwise. Don't be sad, readers. Take heart from this. Take heart from the fact I'm poor but making a good go of it and use these wise words to make yourselves better human beings.

And if by any chance becoming better human beings also makes you richer, could you lend us a tenner?