Inspiration.

It's been a week since the passing of Steve Jobs and the accolades and tributes continue in all the media and mediums he influenced. From historical pieces to innovation surprises through to legacies left, his mark was indelible. No doubt like many artists before him, his works including his soon to be released biography will gain even more importance and historical significance with his passing. For many he was an inspiration from a business viewpoint in resurrecting Apple from the scrap heap, for others for showing the world different ways to communicate and rejoice in entertainment they thought they had left behind.

The best analogy from all articles read over the week gave me Steve Jobs as Walt Disney for the current generations and like Walt giving our imagination room to fly. Like Walt, Jobs and his ilk, including the Richard Branson's and the Bill Gate's of the world were looked to for inspiration and their books and every utterances were captured via all manner of media. Globally their reach was unimpeachable but it wasn't like you could give Steve a call and ask his advice.

Every day people look for inspiration in their business life, their family life and their community life but more often they overlook what is directly in front of them. You would be surprised what some of your work colleagues have accomplished, what family members have achieved and what you can gain from your community. All things you can use as inspirational fodder to spur you on to the next level of success.

An 80th Birthday party for my father in-law gave me such an insight within the family environment and gave rise to some inspirational speeches, especially for the grand kids. From being chased out of Burma and the Indian Sub Continent by the invading Japanese as a child, to successful careers with Qantas and as a teacher, to now writing down the memories of eight decades, a life well lived with a legacy built up of family values should be more than enough inspiration for any of the children following on.

So the trick is not to continually look into the distance and overseas for what you are looking for, but dig down closer to home and closer to work to find stories of inspiration and people looking to lead tribes of self minded colleagues and friends. That will give you reasons to stay creative, innovate, experiment and follow your own drum.

Everyone has a story to tell and most often it is about overcoming adversities and figuring out better ways to get through the day, so why not listen closer to home, you might be surprised what you find. You may also be surprised how much influence you have and how many people look to you for inspiration. Think about it for a moment and think about what an inspiration to your kids you are? One day they'll say my Dad did this and this and isn't that amazing.

Steve Jobs was a man for his generation and he left too soon and the unwritten potential he left behind, is the greatest tragedy of his passing. Don't let that be your legacy, go inspire someone today, you know you can do it.