Inspiration is an abstract, intangible influence that gives you positive motivation towards your work. However, finding inspiration can be tricky.
Writer’s block, trouble focusing, and laziness are all common symptoms of simply feeling uninspired. Erik Devaney, Content Strategist at HubSpot, describes how finding inspiration can often come from unlikely sources and where we can find them.
Inspiration is rooted in three key psychological components:
- Evocation | when a spontaneous thought is triggered in your mind
- Transcendence | when you’re able to see something in a new perspective
- Motivation | when you’re compelled to put an idea into action
These three factors help us understand the foundation of inspiration. It’s much more powerful than just being motivated. Inspiration causes us to think in new ways and results in big, breakthrough moments. Here are some unconventional techniques to spark inspiration in new ways:
Embrace Your Daydreams
In daydreams, we aren’t preoccupied with the stresses of reality and everyday life. Your mind floats freely between real life and fantasy, making it the perfect activity for drawing inspiration.
Pull an All-Nighter
Skipping sleep might help you get a new perspective on things. When faced with a creative problem, research shows that you’re better off approaching it during alternative hours. If you’re tired and unfocused, you’re more vulnerable to discovering new ideas.
Get Outside Your Bubble
The same places, people, and events in your life can get boring quickly. Change what your normal routine consists of and try something new. People with a high level of “openness to experience” are more intellectually curious, and in turn, more frequently inspired.
