The Inspiration Code

CHAPTER 7

YOUR ENERGY IS CONTAGIOUS

1942 was a miserable year.

The world was enmeshed in war with unfathomable human atrocities. The Axis powers were pushing forward. Fear and hopelessness spread. Spirit and resolve, so critically needed, were in short supply. It was on the shoulders of Allied leaders to invoke a sense of fight—literally and energetically—into the populace.¹

When the 65-year-old Winston Churchill walked into 10 Downing Street as the new prime minister he was called an old man. That impression was short lived. He became known for his tireless energy and rousing calls to action. As he said in his 1940 address to the House of Commons, with Britain’s position precarious: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” ...