Your Inspiration is Needed: How to Maximize Your Potential and Live an Inspired Life

By Robert Christiansen Ashford

Your Inspiration is Needed

How do you live an inspired life? You do so by inspiring others.

Author Robert Christiansen set out on a journey several years ago to unravel what it means to live an inspired life. What he discovered changed everything for him. There is a framework for everyone who lives a truly inspired life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author Academy Elite
• Release date: Sep 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781640854024

Book preview

Front cover design

It is not usual for an author to explain the image on the front cover of their book, but in this case I believe it will assist you to understand the why of it.

Most of us view a traditional world where monetary wealth, a great job, a beautiful big house, fancy cars, great health and a fabulous relationship are the ways to find happiness. This is the world ‘out there’ story.

But I believe by looking ‘out there,’ we are searching in the wrong direction. The world ‘out there’ is merely a reflection of the world within us. The true seat of power can only be found by looking within.

This is the reason I choose the front cover as a photographic negative. It represents the opposite, the reflection of what most people see as the real world.

The image is of the earth at night, the lights shining from the cityscapes below, and a web above with lights expanding brighter as more people focus within and find the connection to all things.

How your future develops is dependent on where you direct your awareness in this moment.

Will it be ‘out there’ or will it be within?

The front cover was designed by Debbie O’Byrne at Jetlaunch.

Endorsements for Your Inspiration is Needed

‘An inspirational fresh voice in a field that can´t be stressed enough; for sake of humanity! Writing from our midst, Robert Christiansen managed to shape a manual to trigger the best in us. Guiding his readers through (seemingly) simple challenges, rather offering encouragement than doctrine, and not holding back in sharing his very own struggle in achieving the goal, he expounds a way of growing out of self-diminishing habits and insecurities in lifting others first.

Feasible to anyone, for one will detect oneself easily in his examples. So, dive in! Let`s shape a better world! Your Inspiration in Needed!’

Astrid Paul

General Practitioner, Holistic and Spiritual Medicine

Austria

www.holintmed.at

‘Success in life should not be characterized by how much money we make, but by how we impact the lives of others. Your Inspiration is Needed hands you amazing insights into how we should be interacting with each other. This is the definitive book on successful behavior and living a successful life. I wish I had read it when I was younger.

Anyone looking to create powerful change in their lives and in the world must read this book."

Jerry McNeilly

High Ticket Closer

Charlotte, North Carolina

‘The theme of this book is the most important element of success. Inspiration is essential. Try moving anyone, anything without an intense emotional connection is futile. The biggest mistake many make, that I have made, has been to set off on journeys of success without first identifying the inspiration; Or the reason behind why we’re setting off in the first place.

Inspiration is the magnet of achievement. Robert Christiansen’s book quantifies it. Inspiration, like anything else, can be discovered, learned and understood. This book is our guide.’

Greg McIntyre

McIntyre Elder Law

Shelby, North Carolina

www.mcintyreelderlaw.com

"As the director of an event venue and an entrepreneur, I engage with dozens of new people on a daily basis. What astounds me about Your Inspiration Is Needed is how Rob blends his social theory research with a voice that moves me. I felt challenged to change how I saw the world through this accessible display of genuine anecdote, poignant history, and unyielding hope.

In a world of separation and despair, this is the book we’ve desperately needed."

Duncan Blount

Manager/Event Coordinator Uptown Indigo Shelby NC, author and entrepreneur

www.uptownindigo.com

‘Robert Christiansen’s book is enlightening and thought-provoking. I found myself looking at things in a more creative and optimistic way. While being both inspirational and pragmatic, the author challenges you to look within, while giving practical strategies to do this. His view of inspiring others will help you develop life-long strategies to benefit those around you and, in doing so, change your own outlook on life for the better.

If you are willing to challenge your way of thinking, the way you view others and embrace a positive attitude, I highly recommend this book.’

Jane O’Keeffe

Student Support Coordinator

Northumbria University, UK

‘Robert Christiansen’s Your Inspiration is Needed is a fine addition to the literature of personal growth and leadership development. It is so much more than a self-help or personal development guide. Through-out the book, Robert challenges us to claim our gifts and power and to lead by example. We are challenged to inspire our friends, neighbors, co-workers and institutions to be their best.

Finally, Your Inspiration is Needed asked us to recognize the very real connection of the personal to the planetary as we seek to create a just and sustainable future for all.’

Ron McCollum

MSW Social Worker/Educator/ Community Collaborator

First Broad River Watershed Warrior

Thought-Provoking! Inspiring! Life-Changing!

Suzi Kennedy, RN, BS

Executive Director Life Enrichment Center, Shelby NC

Lifeenrichmentcenter.org

‘Your Inspiration is needed,’ is thought provoking and challenging. Rob challenges us to get over ourselves to inspire others. He challenges us at the end of each chapter through a ‘challenge’ which helps us implement change in our lives. This book is worth your time if you want to become a person who makes a difference, overcomes their own limitations to inspire, encourage and lift others in this journey of life.

Renee Bingham

Toastmaster Past Club President 2016-2017 and Past Area Governor 2012-2013

‘Robert Christiansen’s Your Inspiration Is Needed, made me think about my relationships with others. I hadn’t considered the effects a little support and encouragement have had on my life but on reflection its certainly helped me find direction. The book has prompted me to remember and where possible thank those that have given me inspiration. Reading this might just inspire some positive changes in all of us!’

Mark Archer

Restauranteur and Owner of Archers Restaurant Chiang Mai, Thailand

"Rob’s writing reminds me of the story of the Zen Master who ordered a hot dog and said, make me one with everything. After handing the vendor the money, the monk asked about his change. Change must come from within, the vendor stated. This book helps us on the path to realizing that it is within all of us to create, change and inspire others and ourselves. We just have to look for it."

Jay Gragg CPA/ PFS

Shelby North Carolina USA

www.graggandgragg.com

‘A fascinating and readable book, with great insight into the human psyche. It makes you stop and really think about the power that lies within us all.’

Laura Ashford

Horticulturist

Suffolk UK

‘Your Inspiration is Needed’

Robert Christiansen

Copyright © 2018 Robert Christiansen Ashford

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

Published by Author Academy Elite

P.O. Box 43, Powell, OH 43035

www.AuthorAcademyElite.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Paperback: 978-1-64085-400-0

Hardback: 978-1-64085-401-7

Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN): 2018953634

Other books by the author

Rockstar Lawyer Co-authored with Greg McIntyre

Rockstar Business Co-authored with Greg McIntyre

Hans the Little Sailor. The oily engine

The Cosmic Adventures of Spaceman

This book is dedicated to those who seek change and hope to make a difference. Take nothing here as gospel. In his book ‘The Ultimate Truth,’ Lester Levenson said, "Necessary is the proof of truth… Nothing should be accepted on hearsay. One should listen to, reflect upon, and then prove." Realize, what is in this book is how I see things. I advise you to read, reflect upon, discuss and prove before accepting anything.

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds: your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive and you discover yourself to be a greater person than you ever dreamed yourself to be."

Robin S. Sharma

Contents

Introduction

Chapter Ten: An Extra-Ordinary Challenge

− Challenge One −

Chapter Nine: We’re All in This Together – Oneness

− Challenge Two −

Chapter Eight: An Opportunity In every moment - Use the world as a guide

− Challenge Three −

Chapter Seven: The Universe is Within – All power is within you

− Challenge Four −

Chapter Six: ‘On Air’ Broadcasting – You are transmitting all the time

− Challenge Five −

Chapter Five: Core Values – What really matters to you?

− Challenge Six −

Chapter Four: You don’t have to be inspiring to be inspirational

− Challenge Seven −

Chapter Three: Living through your heart – The heart is the true master

− Challenge Eight −

Chapter Two: That Divine Spark – Living and staying in the moment/now

− Challenge Nine −

Chapter One: What is Danger? It’s not doing what you love – You have your life to make a difference, so what are you waiting for? Stop wasting it!

− Challenge Ten −

Acknowledgements

Resources/ End Notes

References

About the Author

Introduction

To inspire someone is one of life’s greatest gifts. I remember sitting around the breakfast table listening to my wife, Nancy, talk about her dream of studying a PhD. It was something she had wanted to accomplish since a child. A few years before, she had begun this area of study at Newcastle University in the UK but after only five weeks, medical issues back home forced her hand. She put her dream on hold and left the program. Now, she wanted back in.

As we sat there, I listened to her plan, her goals, and offered encouragement. I made it clear that I was in her corner, and suggested she list the top three universities she was interested in and contact them. I began to push her to take more action. I told her she would achieve her dream.

This simple breakfast time conversation had several benefits. First, Nancy appeared less stressed. She physically straightened up. Her creative flow increased and the ideas began to move more freely. Second, I felt lifted out of my own foggy path. I had been struggling to make ends meet as a freelance writer. My income was negligible and no matter what I seemed to start, the barriers to success appeared to grow larger with every step.

When I sat there listening and encouraging Nancy and watching the fog clear from her path, mine opened.

It is always easier to give advice than take it. I think everyone reading this will agree with that. What happened that morning was a single step forward. I stepped out of a fog, feeling the sun on my face, and while the fog was still there, it made me realize that things weren’t quite so bad after all.

You see, your inspiration is needed. I’m not talking globally, I mean, your inspiration is needed on the street. Your wife or husband, your family member, your friends and neighbors, all need a little inspiration. They need it now more than ever.

This inspiration does not require that you forge a path down a new avenue of life, quit work, spend thousands to become a life coach, and travel the cities of America speaking to those souls in desperate need. You do not need to be Tony Robbins to do this. Tony Robbins does a fantastic job and I take my hat off to him, but there is still a need.

I heard myself say one day, ‘The world appears to be falling apart.’ I asked myself, ‘but will changing the world ‘out-there’ have any effect at all, if within, we are the ones falling apart?’

This was a dramatic change in my thinking. I believe the world is a simple matrix, interwoven between each and every one of us. We are all part of this world, this oneness, and because of this, our influence on those around us every day is vital. How we think and feel within ourselves, influences them and us. How we act affects everyone.

No matter