At the Kirby Foundation, inspiration is the name of the game. Paul Kirby has devoted himself to fostering inspiration and creativity in people throughout the world, all because he’s seen firsthand the power of the inspired mind. The process of being inspired has been found to boost creativity and productivity, as well as helping transcend negativity. Through inspiration, we can realize our best selves and achieve our dreams. But – what if the inspiration just won’t come? The causes and subjects of inspiration differ wildly between each unique individual, and so locating our respective muses is sometimes more difficult than we’d like.
How do you find inspiration when you don’t know what inspires you? Here are some strategies to capture your genius and awaken your dormant inspiration.
Table of Contents
- Think About Yourself
- Journal Your Thoughts
- Believe in Yourself
- Take Time to Rest and Live
- Change Things Up
- Surround Yourself with Inspirational Stories
Read More: The Science Behind Inspiration
Think About Yourself
The best way to find what inspires you is to follow the tried-and-tested Ancient Greek aphorism, “know thyself.” A lack of inspiration can come from losing sight of your passions, interests, values, and inner sense of self and purpose. Maybe you’ve drifted away from once-passionate pursuits, or maybe you’ve abandoned some of your aspirations.
As silly as it may seem, what you probably need is to reacquaint yourself with what makes you you. Take some time to think about what makes you unique and what you’re passionate about. What has inspired you in the past? What common threads exist among the times you’ve been most inspired?
Related: 7 Tips to Help Find & Follow Your Passions
Journal Your Thoughts
Writing down your thoughts in a journal, notepad, or digital device is both a great way to know yourself better and to spark creative energy. “Free journaling” is the practice of dumping all the thoughts in your head down onto a couple pages without worrying too much about the “how” or the “why” of your ideas. When you spend the time to allow your thoughts to flow free of limitations you give yourself the opportunity to explore your own mind while also engaging creative thinking areas of the brain and opening yourself up to powerful insights and “eureka moments.”
Believe in Yourself
Low self-esteem could be hurting your ability to feel inspired. Things like imposter syndrome, a fixed mindset, self-doubt, or unfair levels of internal criticism act as sizable clogs to your flow of inspiration. Boost your self worth, and learn how to overcome fears of failure with a growth mindset.
Take Time to Rest and Live
Artists, innovators, and workaholics can be so concerned with productivity and creating that they forget that they’re a person, too. Rest is a key part of the cycle of creating, and without the time to recharge our minds, our thoughts can quickly grow stale and stagnant. Inspiration often finds us when we aren’t forcing it, and getting out and living is one of the easiest ways to stumble into inspiration. Forget about the pressure to be inspired or to make things, and remember to take the time to be in the present and focus on nothing other than experiencing life. Get out with some friends, read a book, watch a movie, or do whatever leisure activity you feel will bring you the most happiness.
While you’re busy refilling your tank and living, you might just find some of your greatest inspiration yet. A 2021 psychology study found that looking at aesthetically pleasing works of art yielded greater levels of inspiration in participants. When you seek beauty in the world, you find the beauty within yourself.
Change Things Up
Variety really is the spice of life. It’s hard to find inspiration when your everyday life is always the same. When there’s no mystery or excitement left to explore, the mind becomes less engaged and has more difficulty with creative thinking. The key to your inspiration could be as simple as busting out of your rut. Switch up your routine and try out some new experiences. Inspiration could be hiding around the corner of a different path to work, or inside that new restaurant you’ve been meaning to try!
Related: Low on Motivation? Discover Better Ways to Intrinsically Motivate Yourself
Surround Yourself with Inspirational Stories
Inspiration is sometimes contagious. Fostering relationships and connections with other creators, whether in your industry or a separate field, is a fantastic approach to begin thinking in novel ways and generating new ideas. Inspirational communities can be like lending libraries for feelings of motivation and inspiration. Find some communities you can join, whether locally or online – and who knows – maybe soon you’ll be the source of someone else’s inspiration!
If you’re searching for a community brimming full of inspirational content, you’ve come to the right place. The Kirby Foundation and the Fusioneering Framework are here to help you reach your highest heights and be inspired! Join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the Kirby mailing list to receive regular updates on forging new frontiers.
