There are two definitions for Inspiration:

• The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

• A sudden brilliant, creative, or timely idea.

Which definition is more fitting for you and what you are trying to do?

The first one refers to it as a process, and the second one refers to it as sudden. Ok, I can go with that. Let’s start with the second definition which refers to sudden. Most of my inspiration nowadays comes from those “AHA” moments when the light bulb appears over my head.

Do you experience those? Stop for a second and try to recall the last one that you had. Did you do something about it?

 I often have no clue where my ideas come from, nor I do I seem to be able to control when they arrive. But, now that I have a system to record these ideas, they seem to flow much more frequently, and I welcome them, even in the middle of the night. It’s often at times that seem inconvenient, but hey, lots of things are inconvenient, and I don’t want to stop them from coming. There is a lot to be said about momentum, and I believe it will work for you or it can work against you. (wow, another great idea to write about, excuse me a second, while I open my google keep app and record that idea for a later date).

Ok, I’m back now. Where was I? oh, yes, the biggest mistakes that I seem to make is when I don’t go with those sudden spurts of inspiration and take some type of immediate action. We have to trust that moment of inspiration has a purpose and it is telling you to stop what ever else you are doing pay attention to it!

Previously, I emphasized acting right away when lightning strikes! That part takes a little bit of discipline but when I stop whatever else I am doing and take at least one small step related to that inspiration, I keep the ball moving forward.

 Next, let’s look at the process. That means something is going on that is driving us to create something, or let’s say, work on our vision. There are steps being taken to drive actions. Are they identifiable and on purpose, or is there something that inspires us and we don’t quite recognize it?

When my four kids were young, I had to get up every morning and go to work, so that I could make money and pay the bills and all the other fun financial obligations. That was motivation, not inspiration. The inspiration came at night when I got home and spent time with them. They inspired me to “be a better Dad!” That to me was a process, as I learned from them what it took to be the best Dad that I could be. That took time and effort, and I had to use that inspiration from them and do things like make sure I was present when I was around them and leave my job at the door. I had to listen to what they had to say. I observed what their needs were, and I had to verify my actions, make corrections on the fly and constantly evolve with them as we entered each new chapter of our lives. You don’t have to be a parent to relate to what I just wrote, those words can be applied to any inspiration that you recognize in your life. Listen, Observe, Verify and Evolve. OH my God, Did I just write that? LOVE (Well, truthfully, the V was a stretch, but the C for correct on the fly just fell a little short, please forgive my tackiness. Do what you will with it.

When we stop and look around, there may be something already there that is a source to inspire us, but we must pay attention to our surroundings, and let it speak to us.

 On the other hand, what do you do if you don’t have some driving force in your life that is inspiring you? Can you do something about it? Absolutely!  You certainly can, and I’ll give you some suggestions in my next post!