Inspire Inspiration
Inspiration: Inspiration is a feeling of motivation that drives us to create, achieve or move forward with purpose.
When nurtured, it can be the spark that lights up a path to explore new ideas and to grow towards our full potential.
Inspiration is rooted in the Latin word inspirare which means "to breathe into." As the owner of our breath, we have the ability to bring life & energy to our ideas, actions and aspirations.
When we take an active role in seeking inspiration, we lift our spirits by adding excitement of what could be.
It’s this unique power that transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Go Inspire Yourself: You can sit around & wait to be inspired, but this rarely works.
Inspiration can feel like a mysterious, spontaneous & magical experience. However, getting inspired is a proactive process,
To welcome inspiration, start by immersing yourself in activities, environments and experiences that excite, challenge and/or stimulate fresh thoughts.
Some activities that stimulate inspiration include:
nature connection (sunsets, sunrises, forests, lakes, animals)
conversations of diverse topics
music (performances, various genres/time periods, videos)
art (museums, sculpture parks, figure drawing, classes)
books (libraries, book stores)
physical movement (walking, exercising)
relaxation techniques (mindfulness, meditation)
traveling (local day-trips, overnight adventures)
personal experiences (local events, shows, become a newbie at something)
Open yourself up to learning from every experience and surround yourself with people who are pursuing their passions.
Practicing open mindedness & staying present helps us recognize moments of inspiration.
Allowing ourselves time to explore something new & to take a break from current routines are all that is needed to unlock a wave of inspirations.
Inspiration Actions: Once inspiration strikes, acting on it requires a combination of focus, planning and persistence.
Set aside time to explore and develop ideas. Then, break them down into manageable steps.
Begin with small, realistic goals and build momentum. This will help to avoid feeling overwhelmed with trying to do it all at once.
Consistency is key. Even tiny daily actions will help to move towards your vision and will transform inspired thoughts into concrete achievements.
Prioritize accountability by sharing your goals with supportive family, friends or mentors.
Hint: Inspiration has a shelf life; the sooner you act on it, the easier it becomes to maintain the burst of energy.
Inspiration Roadblocks: Inspiration Roadblocks often come in the forms of stress, self-doubt or a lack of time and energy.
It’s hard to feel inspired if we’re bogged down by too many obligations or if our mindset is clouded by negative thoughts.
Comparing ourselves to others or setting overly high expectations can also stifle our motivation. The fear of failure or judgment can prevent us from fully exploring our interests. This external comparison can make it difficult to feel excited about what we once enjoyed.
Remind yourself that inspiration lives within our mind and is a personal feeling.
Creating realistic goals, managing stress and staying open minded by practicing ‘Inspiration Actions’ will help you to navigate around any inspiration roadblock that you may encounter.
Naysayers: Sometimes, other people can unintentionally & intentionally discourage us from pursuing our inspired ideas.
Critical comments, doubts or comparisons from family, friends or colleagues may make us second-guess our desires to pursue our interest.
This can be especially true when we are pursuing something unconventional or different from others’ expectations.
It is crucial to be mindful of the points of view of the naysayers as not everyone will understand or support our visions.
Use this open-mindedness approach to help leverage their input by creating a stronger plan to reach the desired goal.
It’s also important to surround ourselves with positive, encouraging individuals who can help us feel confident enough to keep moving forward.
Protecting our inspiration from external negativity is a necessary action in preserving our motivation to learn, create & achieve a personal goal.
Inspiration Continuum: To stay inspired and energized over time, create habits that nurture your creativity and excitement.
Regularly revisit the reasons behind your goals and celebrate small wins along the way to reinforce your progress.
Surround yourself with people and content that uplifts and inspires you.
Try new things regularly, as fresh experiences can rekindle your passion and prevent burnout.
Building a positive, growth-focused mindset will also help you bounce back from setbacks with resilience. (See ‘Mind Your Mind’ for information about mindsets)
With intentional daily practices and a supportive environment, staying inspired becomes a sustainable part of the journey toward achieving your desired dreams.