I received a direct message on LinkedIn that certainly gave me some added motivation.
"Scott, I published my first book, and I did it because you motivated me to."
That one line stopped me for a minute.
We go about our days not realizing the ripple effect of what we put into the world. A post you thought was simple. A conversation you barely remember. A word of encouragement you dropped into a meeting. These things stick with people in ways we rarely see.
I had just told this individual a few years back that I had published a book. That was all they needed to get started on their own goals.
What hit me was how little effort it actually takes to inspire someone else. It doesn't require a grand speech or a flawless plan. Most of the time, it's about showing up as yourself, being willing to share your story, and not holding back the lessons you've learned along the way. When you do that, you give other people permission to chase their own goals.
We all have a role to play in motivating others. You don't have to be a CEO, an author, or a coach to make an impact. Sometimes it's as simple as reaching out to a colleague who's struggling, taking the time to listen, or being willing to say, "I've been there too." That moment of connection can flip a switch for someone who was on the edge of giving up.
Here's the problem though: too many people keep their stories locked away because they think they're not important enough, not polished enough, or not big enough to matter. That's the lie that keeps inspiration trapped. What people actually want is realness. They want to see that someone who looks like them, sounds like them, or has walked a similar path has figured out a way forward.
When you share, you create a connection. And when you connect, you give back. That's the cycle. One person speaks up, another person feels seen, and then they turn around and do the same for someone else. It's how entire communities grow stronger. It's how culture changes inside teams and companies.
Think about the people who've motivated you. Chances are, it wasn't the person with the most accolades or the biggest following. It was someone who chose to be generous with their time, their knowledge, or their encouragement. They probably didn't even realize they were making a difference. But to you, it was everything.
The best part is that giving this kind of motivation costs nothing. You don't lose anything by sharing your experience or lifting someone else up. In fact, it usually leaves you feeling more energized, more connected, and more aware of your own growth.
So if you've been sitting on a story, an idea, or a piece of advice that could help someone else, stop waiting. Put it out there. Write the post, make the call, send the message. You never know who's waiting for that exact nudge to move forward. And you never know whose "first book" might start with your words.