<span style="font-size: small;"><em>This is the second in a short series on inspiration.  You can find the first post <a title="Lead Change Blog - Inspiring Purpose" href="/inspiring-purpose/">here</a>.</em></span>

Character is who you are.  It's your mark.  One friend I met through social media, Perry Maughmer, said, "Your character is an outward manifestation of an inward reality."  Our world pursues image-based leadership (celebrities) or position based ones (wealth and power).  Unless you become a celebrity or a wealthy power broker or elected official, you, like most of us, will have to come up with a different (and better) way to make a difference.<!--more-->

Your impact will come from your character.  More precisely, your greatest impact will be made by your truest and best self applied with focus and commitment toward a great goal.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591842808?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=elevate-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1591842808"><img class="size-full wp-image-2335 alignleft" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" title="startrwithwhy" src="http://leadchangegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/startrwithwhy.jpg" alt="Start With Why by Simon Sinek" width="126" height="202" /></a>Simon Sinek wrote a book titled <a title="Start With Why by Simon Sinek" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591842808?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=elevate-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1591842808"><em>Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action</em></a>.  In it he said that there are only two ways to get someone to do something.  You can either manipulate or inspire.  One is a drain.  The other energizes.  One is frustration.  The other is flow.

Want to inspire?  Show up every day with your best "who you are" ready to serve a big, inspiring goal.  That simple act of modeling your best recharges and re-energizes the people around you. We all need each other.  No man is an island.  We're much more like charcoal that we'd like to admit.  Our warmth comes from the fire in others.  Bring your own fire and you'll attract other coals.  Everyone can use someone else to put some fire it them.  We need you to bring your fire (your best you) every day.  Take your fire into the dark places you notice in the people around you and you'll light your world.  (Credit to Chris Rice, Go Light Your World.)

When you realize that you have everything you need to inspire others, you will make a difference. I get energized thinking about the possibility of helping a thousand people take responsibility for the difference they make in the lives of others.  What energizes you?  How can I help.

Today, you can take responsibility for the difference you make in the lives of others.  You don't need to take a class, get certified, get a new job, or win the lottery.  Inspire someone by simply investing your best effort in a goal bigger than yourself, one that benefits others in addition to yourself.  Take your fire to some cold charcoals around you.

What are you waiting for?

<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by <a title="Photo by radialmonster on Flickr.com" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/radialmonster/128987476/">radialmonster</a></span>