Inspiration. That amazing flash of creativity that just comes out of nowhere and gifts you seemingly magical powers.
Inspiration. That other-worldly force reserved only for the special ones – a select few who were ordained by Creativity and Inspiration herself. If you were not born as one of them, you had no hope and were doomed to a life of lackluster monotony.
Ok I exaggerate.
Even so, ignoring the exaggerated hyperbole, that pretty much summed up what I used to think about inspiration and creativity.
Like many, I’ve always had a deep desire inside me to achieve freedom from my desk job and live life on my own terms. But each time I thought about this, just as soon as I could feel that burning desire swell in my belly, I would haplessly spiral down into negative self-talk and tell myself “but you are not a creative person. You have no good ideas.”
Then that fire would be quenched. Then another few months or a year would pass and then I would get the same feeling of desire followed by the same resignation of failure. Yes I was in a negative cycle.
Looking back, I can’t believe this didn’t bother me at the time because how can someone accept failure before even lifting a finger and trying to do something?
What is the secret to finding creativity and inspiration?
In my frustration, for many years I asked myself this question: “what is the secret to finding inspiration?”
But I think now I finally know the answer.
The following statement by W. Somerset Maugham encapsulates the answer I finally discovered:
“I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.”
When I first saw that something really “clicked” in my mind.
In my “ah ha” moment, I realized that the secret to finding creativity and inspiration…is that there is no secret.
Just like most things in life, I was trying to find a magic bullet where none existed, only hard work, focus and perseverance.
Action points/notes to self
- There is no magic secret to creativity and inspiration.
- There is no such thing as creativity and inspiration in a void.
- Inspiration and creativity comes to those who put in the hours consistently, day in day out.
- I will commit to consistently writing more to get that first 100 “crappy” blog posts out of my system and hopefully start to write something good.
- I will start with at least 3-5 posts per week, then bump it up once I get into the rhythm.
Question time
Does anyone else struggle deeply with finding creativity and inspiration or does it come naturally?
How do you find your creativity and inspiration?
I would love to hear your thoughts and approach to this.
If you would like to share your experiences, please leave a message in the comments below.
Until next time.
See you at nine o’clock sharp 😉
Godspeed,
Tony Lee Jacobs
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