New Year, New Motivation!

Whether ya’ll are wavering from your resolutions or proudly sticking to your goals, we’ve got your back! No matter the time of year, we are always looking for ways to quench our inspirational thirst.

And truly, we find inspiration EVERYWHERE!

Whether it’s taking small steps like hitting “Follow” on awe-inspiring Instagram pages like Grit and Virtue or Lauren Akins or shamelessly hoarding all books by a certain author … looking at you, Tony Dungy … there are times we know it’s best to look outside of ourselves for the push to go the extra mile.

So today, we are bringing you our favorite people who make us so dang excited to keep doing what we do. Because people who are motivating others by following their own passions are our kind of people.

BONUS! For each person we highlight, we’re providing you with a free printable version of one of our favorite quotes by them! Just click the link to download, print (be sure to deselect “fit to page”), and use the cut guidelines provided. Voila! And psst ... Here's a BONUS bonus to start :)

Ready? ... Go!

• Who: Simon Sinek

• What He Does: He is a best-selling author, speaker, and a leading expert on effective leadership. Say that five times fast.

• A Favorite Quote of Ours:

• “What good is it having a belly if there's no fire in it? Wake up, drink your passion, light a match and get to work.” - Simon Sinek

• Where You Can Find His Work:

• His 2009 Ted Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” is currently the third most-watched Ted Talk of all time. Of all time, people!

• He is also the author of multiple best-selling books, “Start with Why,” “Leaders Eat Last,” and “Find Your Why.” NBD. And that list will continue to grow!

• Who: Mark Batterson

• What He Does: He is a best-selling author and the lead pastor at National Community Church, which has seven locations!

• A Favorite Quote of Ours: Do we have to pick just one?! … No? Okay, good.

• “God honors bold prayers because bold prayers honor God.” - Mark Batterson

• “The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked.” - Mark Batterson

• “Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase.” - Mark Batterson

• "Faith is the willingness to look foolish." - Mark Batterson

• Our Fave Mark Books:

• “The Circle Marker” has been a fundamental part of what Uncommon is today.

• We also love “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” and “Chase the Lion.”

• Who: Mark Sanborn

• What He Does: Best-selling author, speaker, and expert on teams with exceptional customer service. His fun-loving approach is super endearing and inspiring.

• Some of our favorite quotes:

• “You are the spark that sets others on fire when you initiate.” - Mark Sanborn

• “Don't wait for the perfect opportunity. Just take an opportunity and make it as perfect as you can.” - Mark Sanborn

• Our Favorite Resource from Mark:

• Mark’s book, “Fred Factor” is another must-read that shaped the way Uncommon approaches service for all of our clients.

• Who: Max Lucado

• What He Does: Another best-selling author, Max has served churches all over the US, and he currently serves as teaching minister of Oak Hills Church.

• Fave Quotes:

• “To lead the orchestra, you have to turn your back on the crowd.” - Max Lucado

• “Feed your fears and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will.” - Max Lucado, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear

• Our Favorite Resource:

• “Grace for the Moment” is an incredible devotional that incorporates Scripture and reflection.

• Who: Joanna Gaines

• What She Does: Oh, you already know. Home-girl is best known for starring in HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” alongside her husband, Chip. She is a best-selling author, designed the Hearth and Home collection for Target, and was our Uncommon team’s inspiration for visiting her hometown-turned-lovable-tourist-destination, Waco.

• A Favorite Quote of Ours:

• “I came to think of God as more of a gracious friend who was accompanying me on this journey, a friend who wanted to carry my burdens and speak into my life and shape me into who I really was and who I would become.” - Joanna Gaines, The Magnolia Story. HEART. EYE. EMOJI.

• Our Favorite Place to Find Her: Well ... it’s Waco. We’ve got to go back, guys!

• But we also dig “Magnolia Journal,” and we love following Joanna on Instagram.

• Who: Priscilla Shirer

• What She Does: An author, speaker, and Christian evangelist, Priscilla established Going Beyond Ministries, an organization committed to teaching the Word of God.

• A Favorite Quote of Ours:

• “This is God’s way: Putting extraordinary tasks on the plates of ordinary people so that ordinary people can see what an extraordinary God can do through them.” - Priscilla Shirer

• Our Favorite Resource/Where to Find Her:

• “Discerning the Voice of God” is a seven-session guide to discovering clear and daily communication with God.

• Who: Harvey MacKay

• What He Does: Spoiler alert - he’s a best-selling author! You may also know him from the business column in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, which also runs in 52 newspapers around the country. Oh, and he was also named one of the top five speakers IN THE WORLD by Toastmasters International. Not too shabby.

• A Quote to Live by:

• “Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't” - Harvey MacKay

• Our Favorite Place to Find Him:

• The Star Tribune Business Column!

• Who: Granger Smith

• What He Does: He is an incredible country music singer who has a fiery passion for the military and our first responders, both of which are near and dear to our hearts.

• A Favorite Quote of Ours:

• “We were here back home in the home of the brave, But the brave ain't home, they're an ocean away” - Granger Smith, “They Were There”

• Where to Find His Work:

• Outside of music, Granger Smith produced a beautiful documentary, “They Were There,” honoring five fallen soldiers and their families. Grab the tissues! This documentary will make you cry and overwhelm you with gratitude for what these men and their families have sacrificed for us! Thank you to our men and women who have served, are serving, and will serve in the future.

So these are the people who are resonating with us the most right now, and we hope that at least one of them will resonate with you, too. Because yes! You CAN do the thing you love and totally crush it, and we hope some inspiration from one of these amazing people can help propel you forward.

And! We want to know - who else is motivating YOU to keep doing your best?! We would LOVE to hear all about them!

Now go kick some New Years booty!

- The Uncommon Team