After a milestone week, today’s inspiration comes from a term I learned a few months ago and a bit of self-reflection about what drives us to learn and achieve.
Why do we do what we do? What motivates us to action?
My father was famous for saying you cannot motivate another individual; you can only stimulate them. With that thought in mind, I considered the things in our environment that can stimulate us and create this inner motivation.
What sparks us to action?
A big one for me is FOMO, or Fear Of Missing Out.
I’m not exactly sure when FOMO became important to me, but I know when my youngest left for college and my daughter and her husband moved to the West Coast it was easier than ever to feel disconnected in one of the relationships I value most: family.
When my kids were in a group text that I couldn’t join because of the age and type of cell phone I had, FOMO struck, so I bought and learned how to use an iPhone.
When my son’s wrestling coach tweeted the match scores far faster than the Facebook updates, FOMO hit me, so I got up to speed on Twitter.
And when I discovered my niece was using Snapchat to communicate daily with her friends, FOMO seeped into my thinking, so I dug in and learned Snapchat so I could learn more about her.
And finally, just a few weeks ago, my online Mastermind group began sharing videos, but only if they had been uploaded to YouTube. Sure enough, FOMO struck once more, so I learned how to use YouTube.
This nagging fear grabbed me each time, reminding me that I was going to miss out on something that mattered to me if I didn’t take action.
I don’t like missing out. I don’t want my knowledge to limit me. (Heaven knows myparalysis limits me enough!) So with each new thing, I gathered my courage, opened my mind, and took the time to learn something new.
I was FOMO-inspired.
For me, FOMO is a powerful stimulant, right up there with my grande nonfat cappuccino from Starbucks. Here’s the most recent FOMO-inspired learning: a celebration Snapchat video uploaded to YouTube! Check it out:
You know me: If I’m happy, I’m dancing and if I’m dancing, I’m happy!
Click the photo to check it out!
How about you? Have you ever experienced FOMO? Does it inspire you to take action and learn? Tell me about it. I’d love to know.
And, regarding the milestone celebration, YES, my manuscript was submitted last week to my publisher. My publication date is June 13, 2017. (Oh, and if you want me to notify you of book updates, special offers, and availability, click here.)
My best–always,
Becky (Nana B)
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P. S. Many thanks to Beth B., who educated me on FOMO; Ashley, who introduced me to SnapChat; Beth Dj., who inspired me with her imaginative use of SnapChat templates and stories; Jess, who snapped me the funky song I used in the video; my Mastermind buddies, who encouraged and applauded my rookie YouTube video, and to everyone, (including Tom, Denton, Peter, Brian, Rachel, Cindy, Zander, Skipper, Kat, and the countless strangers I’ve tapped on the shoulder to ask a stupid question) who has helped this former IBM’er adjust to my Apple products.
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