Inspiration is a calling—it just happens without any initiation. It comes upon you. It pops in your head. It whispers in your ear. It gets you out of bed. It causes you to act. You just do it. It delivers an energy and enthusiasm that is palpable. You feel compelled in the moment. It does not come from the mind. 

For me, I sometimes feel fired up and elated in the moment that inspiration comes, called to action without thought. Other times, it feels exceptionally peaceful, calm, and right, like this is where I need to be, doing what I’m doing in that very moment, and nothing else exists or requires my attention. It can show its presence, or reveal its message, in the simplest of moments—in the middle of a conversation with someone, or while admiring a bird or butterfly. 

Getting Directions, Finding Inspiration

Oftentimes, inspiration comes when you might have other plans…like sleep! It is in the wee hours of the morning when I get my greatest inspiration. I often wake up at three or four o’clock in the morning with a download of information. Knowing this often happens, I have a paper and pen by my bed so I can immediately write down what has come to me. I’ve been inspired to consider unique ideas and solutions for both my personal and professional life, given answers to problems or challenges that had eluded me, offered complete transcripts for emails and letters I should write… and even book chapters have come my way! 

Recently, I spoke with a young man in his twenties who was struggling and feeling stuck on a particularly important work project. While he had been clipping along just fine, he suddenly hit a major roadblock. For three days he didn’t make any headway. He told me he didn’t know what direction to take to go forward. Finally, he said that he could stay the same course that he had originally planned, but wasn’t delivering any results. Or, he could reframe and reformulate the project, which would take time but might be the right thing to do.

He then sat down and closed his eyes, quieted his racing mind, opened himself up, and asked for guidance. A road sign popped into his head. It was a white arrow making a slight right turn. He wasn’t sure what that meant but he welcomed it for what it was, assuming it might reveal its significance in time. The next day he started working again. Immediately, he felt as if something had shifted. He felt a renewed energy and, as he put it, “the juices just started flowing again.” He felt like he was back on track with his project, and heading in the right direction.

Perhaps the shift he felt was that subtle “slight right turn,” offering him a new perspective and energy to overcome his roadblock.

Inspiration can appear in so many ways—sometimes so subtle, so quiet, and other times like a jolt. You can always close your eyes, quiet your mind, and look within for inspiration. Just ask, open your heart, and receive. 

What does inspiration look like to you? How has it come to you in your life and work? I’d love to hear your experiences, drop me a note.