The word inspire to the ancients had reference to being of divine origin or God breathed.

The modern definition includes filling with or creating within someone the ability to feel or do something, to animate someone.

If the ability to inspire is a gift from God, then it is truly a divine power if used to benefit others. Being inspirational and being able to improve the lives of others is a power we all possess.

Almost anyone can create in others the ability to feel or do something. It is part of the hard wiring of our brains. It is within our nature as humans.

If right now you are thinking, yes, but not me, then think again. You can inspire others. You probably are inspiring even though you are not aware of it. Let me prove it.

First some inspirational facts.

Inspiration can come from what we see. If we see or hear of someone overcoming fears, concerns, worries, and or problems, it could create within us the desire to do the same.

Inspiration also can come from seeing people attaining what they really want.
Stories of others realizing their dreams in-spite of the odds can move us to reach out to attain our dreams.

If you learn how to tap into the inspiration hard wiring of the brain, then you will be able to animate your audience. You can create within them the ability to feel or do something. If you find a connection between what inspires the people you talk to and your most wanted response then you will have a recipe for public speaking success.

Now to prove you can be inspirational even if you think you do not have the ability, consider this fact.

One of the ways we use this power has to do with the way we communicate feelings. We can communicate with words, actions, and even body language.
Science has determined that the average person (which includes you), using just one of those communication modes, has 47 ways of expressing feelings, emotions, or thoughts.

Yet science has determined that of the 47 ways, there is only one expression that can be defined as genuine (not necessarily saying the others are fake or not real).

This 47th or one real expression is so powerful, it can move people, inspiring them to have a like expression of emotion. Virtually anyone can make this happen.

Do you know what the genuine expression of emotion is?

Side Note: As a hospice nurse, people see me and say my job must be the most depressing work in the world. Trying to make light of it, comebacks are offered, “well, at least my patients are dying to see me.” But when walking through nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities, almost weekly someone will come up and ask me, “How do you do it?”

The reason for asking is the result of the inspirational feeling created within them. They are not asking how do I keep working in hospice. They are asking how is it that every day they see me, they also see the 47th expression.

Their inspiration to approach and ask came from my use of the 47th expression. Seeing me use the “Genuine” or real form of communicating was the inspiration that moved or animated them to do the same. So what is the 47th expression?

Science has determined that the human face can make 47 different expressions. One expression, the 47th, is the inspirational ability everyone has the ability to do. It is a genuine smile.

If you really smile at someone else, they will be hard pressed not to smile back. Yes, you have the power to move your audience, even if just one person. It doesn't even require you to say a word.

Lesson for public speakers: smile at your audience if it is appropriate. Get them to smile. Pick one or two and look them in the eyes and inspire them.

If you would like to learn more about smiles and the aphorism that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile, please go to
http://www.speechmastery.com/smile.html

Author's Bio: 

Jonathan Steele, RN, a hospice nurse, has lectured in numerous countries and is webmaster of www.speechmastery.com. Additionally he is an adjunct instructor at Northampton Community College and an accomplished artist, his works have sold all over the world.