It is my belief that no matter what you do in life, you need some inspiration to get things accomplished. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to have this inspiration within us without even considering the source. It is just within us.
If you go to your job daily, whatever it may be, with no inspiration, then you might as well not even show up to work. Even if your inspiration for that day is to earn money...that is an inspiration for you to do a good job so that you are paid. In my opinion, that is the lowest form of inspiration, although I do agree, it is quite important in order to live and support yourself/family. Find the creative and fun part to create your inspiration. It takes away the drudgery.
The inspiration that I am thinking of is what is it that helps you do your work in the most creative way? A story that came to my mind is a true story of a special needs teenager who was hired as a bagger at a grocery store. Every day his Dad drove him to work and picked him up from work. The teenager noticed that so many of the customers seemed downhearted and needed something to help put a smile on their faces.
This very special young man asked his Dad to help him make little creative sayings on slips of paper that he dropped into customers bags as he finished bagging. These sayings were optimistic and positive quotes such as, "Don't worry, be happy," or "Every day may not be good but there is something good in every day."
In no time at all, the customers all wanted to be in the line that this bagger worked in, even if it was the longest of all the lines. The manager of the store could not persuade them to move over to a shorter line. This is an example of no matter what your job is, there is a way to become inspired and this inspiration will spread.
Whether it is a bagger at a grocery store, artist, teacher, doctor...every job has a spot for inspiration. You may ask yourself the question of where you will find this inspiration. As I said above, some days it is just within you. You did not specifically go out searching for it. It is still inspiration.
We are human beings and not all days work like that. Some days we need more of a kick start. Some of the places that we can look for the inspiration that we are needing is just to spend time in your own world and tune out what is going on around you. This can be done by walking, jogging, yoga or simply meditation. Another way is to let you mind doodle and scribble out ideas. Blank pages, whether they be a book you are working on, a canvas you are painting on, lesson plans that you are planning, blue prints you are designing...it really doesn't matter. Never fear failure. Trust your instinct.
Inspiration can come at you like a bolt of lightning and other times it grows slowly. Take a step away and use some of the following suggestions to find your own inspiration for what you want to accomplish:
Daydream Observe Read
Nature Overheard Dialogs Art
Exercise Quotes Movies
Children Travel Music
Blogs History Magazines
You could probably add a dozen more ideas to this list. To find your inspiration, be creative and step away from what you are working on to get your grounding. Many times, your inspiration is staring at you. The Greeks thought that the cause of inspiration and enthusiasm were the Muses. Wherever, whoever or whatever you want to believe, there is a way to get your inspiration back on track. And be sure to remember for some of us it starts daily. It is not a one time deal.
Jack London had a very thought provoking quote on inspiration:
"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." For me, that is taking it to the MAX...I suppose there is no one way for each of us to find our inspiration. The important thing is to find what works for you. If you have to, make your own.
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