For years I've surrounded myself with people I like (most of us do this, it's pretty natural), but also people that have gifts.  Everyone has some kind of unique gift, but we make choices in who we gravitate toward.  The people I gravitate toward, to me, are inspiring.  Not just the fact that I like them, but how their unique gift, as a human being, sticks with me.  With the way the Internet has evolved with social media I'm exposed to even more inspiring people than ever before, and what I find is that technology also allows me to memorialize interactions with these people.  Whether we follow each other on Twitter, interact on Facebook, or even if I just subscribe to their daily blog, we're connected and I have a log of our interactions and ideas.

Hugh MacLeod has a little cartoon about inspiration I shared in a post last week.  Today, even more than ever, I think we have the opportunity to inspire and be inspired.  We have the opportunity to share our unique gifts, and we also have the opportunity to soak in and seek out the unique gifts of others.  I know I will continue to share my thoughts and ideas here, and I truly look forward to connecting with more of you along the way.

To try to kick start the idea of inspiring one another, I'd like to share some inspiration with you.   Yesterday, Gary Vaynerchuk's new book, The Thank You Economy, came out.  Gary has been an inspiration to me in this online world, and after diving into his book yesterday I will tell you that he has inspired me even more.  Gary gives, all the time, as much as he can. Family first, but then passionately in business!

I'd like to give the gift of Gary, because I feel this book outlines why it's so critical today to view your customers, marketing, and your overall business differently.

I have 3 brand new, signed, first edition copies of his new book.  Share a story here on this post, over on my blog, or on my Facebook page about someone, something, or whatever that inspires you, and I'll send Gary's book to my 3 favorite stories.  Please, while you're sharing, also share this with a friend so they can share their inspirational stories as well.

I'll announce the winners next Thursday, March 17th.  Thanks so much!  I look forward to your stories.

As seen @ MarkJuleen.com