Finding Inspiration
“There are little gems all around us that can hold glimmers of inspiration.” - Richelle Mead
Happy Monday, and a new week, a new day, a fresh start!
This week's newsletter delivers a reminder of the power of inspiration. When we are going about our life it’s easy to switch on auto-pilot. We get into routines and get start moving through our days almost unaware of what is happening. This is part of efficiency, being able to complete tasks quickly because we’ve don’t them so many times. However, the study of mindfulness asks us to get very present with what’s going on around us, instead of speeding through life.
This “auto-pilot” way of living sometimes causes us to miss the important moments of life, but on a smaller scale, it can rob us of the moments of inspiration that can spark a new idea, a new career path, or a change we need to make in our life, in an exciting way.
So how do you turn off “auto-pilot” and find inspiration? Here are a few things you can do starting this week:
Journal: If you follow our content, you know this is a tool we regularly recommend for leaders. Related to inspiration, journaling is a great way to declutter your mind so new ideas can flow. There are many great formats for journaling out there, but if you are just getting started I recommend getting a basic lined notebook and free writing anything that comes to mind with no judgment or editing. Try starting with 3 full pages front and back and pick a specific time of day to write, either morning or evening. After you write for a few days go back and read your entries. You’ll be amazed how your mindset shifts quickly during the act of writing, as well as in reflection back. This tool is powerful for retraining our minds to plug into the present moment and let inspiration find us.
Get Out in Nature: Have you ever noticed how different you feel before or after you get out in nature, even for a walk in a local park? Getting out in nature is another way to calm our busy minds. If allows us to slow down and again, get present. Like a lot of habits, what often gets in the way is time or the pressure we put on ourselves to do something grand that requires travel or a full day. Instead, start by going out for a walk, laying down in the grass, or sitting by a body of water, even a pond. Let yourself get bored being in nature, no phone, no talking, no reading, no distractions. Let inspiration be your company.
Exercise: This is another common recommendation, but it holds true that often what blocks inspiration is stress. Moving our bodies is a powerful release in our body that immediately impacts our minds as well. This can also be easy to start given all the free content available online today. You can do a short intense workout, a short yoga routine, or take a walk around the block. Start small, but again take note of how you feel before and after. As I have committed to a regular, more strenuous exercise routine I keep my phone or paper nearby as ideas regularly come up during my workout.
Become a Novice: Sometimes we lose inspiration because we become an expert at something. It’s great to achieve expertise, but by allowing ourselves to remember what it’s like to explore and play, we tap into inspiration. This week try something new that you’ve been curious about. Maybe it’s learning a new skill, creating something, or simply tapping into a childhood hobby that you haven’t done in a long time. Play is one of the fastest ways to find inspiration.
Inspiration can seem elusive when we have lost it. I hope this week you remember that you can find it in small actions, actions that can take just a few minutes, and deliver many benefits to your mental health, well-being, and leadership.
“Just don’t give up on what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”
Resources: Interested in going deeper into this week’s topic? Check out these additional resources.
Journaling method from “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron: I credit this method for getting me started and committed to a journaling practice.
Yoga by Kassandra is fantastic for getting started with a new exercise routine. Kassandra has several pieces of content that are only 10 minutes long so there’s no excuse to try them out
Asking Nature for Inspiration a Ted Talk by Jacquelyn Nagel provides another example of how much we can learn from nature
“The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubins has so many amazing gems on finding inspiration
Did you know? We now have merch on our website!
“You are the artist of your life” Journal
Journaling is a powerful leadership tool to unlock ideas, release stress and anxiety, and reflect on your past while looking to the future. This journal is a tool to remind you that you are the artist of your life.
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BADASS HABITS by Jen Sincero
In "Badass Habits" by Jen Sincero, discover the extraordinary impact of cultivating empowering habits. Unleash your inner badass as Sincero guides you to break free from self-sabotaging patterns, create positive routines, and adopt a mindset of success. With practical strategies and personal anecdotes, this book empowers you to transform your life and achieve fulfillment in all areas. Embrace the power of habit and unleash your limitless potential to become the best version of yourself.
P.S. Reply to this newsletter and let me know what you are reading 📚
Consider how many different pieces of content you see in any given week. See something that really resonates with you? Share it with us so we can feature it in our Social Media of the Week section!
This week’s feature is from TED: ideas worth sharing - Unofficial
Circles of Influence
What gets your attention? 🔍
What can you actually control? 👈🏻
This chart was such a great reminder to put “inputs” in the right category so we pay attention to what we can either control or influence and do our best to let go of the rest. ⬅️
