It’s strange how inspiration works. Or doesn’t.
Despite the number of people that seem to think that inspiration happens like a lightswitch, it’s more like a drippy faucet, but without the calcium or lime deposits.
I’m not a particularly impressive example of an inspired life, but there are a few pieces of content that have fundamentally changed my professional outlook and my desire to learn marketing and become an entrepreneur (leading to the founding of WhiteFireSEO!). The content really is the biggest reason for this post, so let’s get to that.
Procrastination and Productivity – ViperChill
This post by Glen of ViperChill got me seriously thinking about how I spend my time. If you’re in need of some hustle-developing (as I usually am), give this post a shot. It’s got a little bit too much of a “you’re the master of your own destiny” kind of motivation, but it’s worth reading for a little shot of energy at the end of a long work day.
I also love the little house he made for his cat.
How to Build Agile SEO Tools Using Google Docs – distilled
Oh goodness, where do I begin. I was just starting to develop an interest in programming, but the entire computer science thing confused me to no end. When I stumbled upon Tom’s post on distilled, I was blown away.
I gained an (admittedly small and basic) understanding of programming that helped me start on the road to where I am now—a functional knowledge of Ruby on Rails and Javascript, fluency in HTML and CSS and a bit of PHP thrown in.
If you’re in the SEO profession and you don’t know how to code yet, give Tom’s tutorial a run. It’ll do wonders for you, even if you’re as new to coding as I was about a year ago.
The Web Developer’s SEO Cheat Sheet – SEOmoz
This may have been the first piece of SEO-centric content that I’d ever seen. Prior to this post, SEO wasn’t much more than copywriting with the right keywords. When I saw just how much was involved in SEO, it sparked my curiosity and the rest, as they say, is antiquated.
Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action – TED Talks
This video fundamentally changed how I view problems and their solutions. It also made me reconsider WHAT I was doing, and if I’d sufficiently answered WHY I was doing it.
The examples he uses and the way he delivers them is fantastic, even if he does tend to overemphasize his “p’s” (verbal tics bug me, ok?).
The Truth About What Motivates Us – RSA Animate/Dan Pink
Case studies, fantastic examples, great visuals, and engaging audio; this is truly an excellent piece of content. If I could create something like this even once, and have an effect on someone as profound as it had on me, I’d… use the proceeds to buy someone a house.
This video changed how I viewed the workplace, startups, people and my own management philosophies. It’s stunning. Give it a watch.
SLC MozCation
The SLC MozCation was my first industry conference, and it gave me a huge push into the deep, perplexing world of SEO. The support for online marketing in Utah, as well as the truly impressive minds and friendly community at SEOmoz made me want more than anything to work my way up their ranks and contribute to the movement to the digital world.
Ok, so there isn’t a whole lot for you to take from this, but I had to share.
(PS: It was also my bachelor party)
If I – Demetri Martin
I can’t tell you just how much this series affected me. I’m still learning things about myself every time I watch Demetri Martin’s introspective genius. I share his unquenchable thirst for learning and it sometimes make me insufferable to those around me and, on occasion, completely re-writes my life.
If you’re so caught up in learning that you occasionally lose sight of the purpose behind your search for knowledge, give this series a watch.
Well, there you go. It’s not an exceptionally long list, but they’ve had a profound impact on my life. What content inspires you? What have you discovered online that has changed you?
