Find the Fire

About the Author

Scott Mautz is the CEO of Profound Performance and a sought-after speaker specializing in workplace motivation and engagement. With a robust background as a Procter & Gamble executive and an adjunct professor at Indiana University, Mautz is an expert in the dynamics that drive workplace inspiration. He is the author of multiple books, including Make It Matter, and a regular contributor to Inc. magazine. Mautz’s insights stem from his extensive experience and a genuine passion for helping individuals and organizations thrive.

Main Idea

In Find the Fire: Ignite Your Inspiration and Make Work Exciting Again, Scott Mautz delves into the pervasive issue of dwindling inspiration in the workplace. He identifies nine "Anti-Muses" that sap our enthusiasm and offers practical antidotes to reignite our passion. Mautz asserts that by understanding and countering these forces, individuals can take control of their inspiration and create an environment where it can flourish. The book is a call to action to reclaim our inner drive and transform our work experience from mundane to exhilarating.

Table of Contents

• Part I: The Anti-Muse
  • The Forces That Drain Our Inspiration
  • Fear
  • Settling and Boredom
  • Inundation
  • Loss of Control
  • Dwindling Self-Belief
  • Disconnectedness
  • Dearth of Creating
  • Insignificance
  • Lack of Evocation
• Part II: The Antidote
  • Fear (Relinquished)
  • Settling and Boredom (Rejected)
  • Inundation (Relieved)
  • Loss of Control (Reverted)
  • Dwindling Self-Belief (Revitalized)
  • Disconnectedness (Reversed)
  • Dearth of Creating (Reconstituted)
  • Insignificance (Reformulated)
  • Lack of Evocation (Rediscovered)

Analyzing and Explaining Each Idea

The Anti-Muse

In the first part of the book, Mautz introduces the concept of "Anti-Muses," which are forces that drain our inspiration. These Anti-Muses are insidious because they often arise from within ourselves rather than external sources. By recognizing and understanding these forces, we can begin to counteract them.

Fear

Fear is a major inhibitor of inspiration. Mautz identifies three specific fears: the fear of failure, the fear of change, and the fear of criticism. Each of these fears can paralyze us and prevent us from taking the necessary steps to pursue our goals.

"You don’t suffer when you fail, your ego does. Your fear of failure shouldn’t scare you; it’s trying to tell you something’s worth it." – Scott Mautz

To overcome the fear of failure, Mautz suggests reframing our mindset to see failure as a learning opportunity. Embracing failure as a necessary part of growth allows us to take risks and innovate without the paralyzing fear of making mistakes.