How to Get Inspired!

 

How to get inspired!

It doesn’t matter what you do in life getting inspired is a personal objective to achieve. I for one usually have to sit quietly with a pad and pen, maybe a cup of tea or coffee, or perhaps a glass of wine and just think. As ideas pop into my mind I write them down in list format and continue doing that along with making a mind map based on the idea that popped into my head as I go.

Sometimes I listen to music to get inspired, my go-to music is usually Jazz, classical or even opera to help clear my mind so I can think more clearly. Other times I just sit quietly reading or listening to audiobooks. Listening to an audiobook usually helps me define and structure a book I plan to write. I never borrow ideas from other authors, but listening to a murder mystery usually helps my mind format part of the who-done-it series I’ve been working on. Maybe a good movie might spark an idea that would enhance one of my movie screenplays such as a lighting idea or maybe a movie angle to think about. Many times, once I watch a movie I slowly read the screen credits to see who was the director of lighting, costumes, or photography/filming so I can make a note of it.

Many years ago a mentor suggested that I start an idea book. I thought about it and agreed then the next day I went out and bought a journal book that looked like this picture.

 

Once I got the book, I began to write down my thoughts and ideas. If someone said something that I liked, I’d pull out my idea book from my handbag and write it down. If I found a quote in my research that didn’t have anything to do with what I was researching but I might use in a book or storyline, I’d write it down in my idea journal. I still use it to this day, and it’s been over 30 years since my mentor suggested it to me.

Another way to get inspired is to create a creative network among your friends who aspire to create their own business or do something worthwhile in life. If necessary, create a contract or Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for everyone to sign so that everyone agrees to keep ideas to themselves, not to steal an idea without giving credit to the person who mentioned it, and most of all, cooperate between all parties to be honest with each other and collaborate instead of working against each other in creating wonderful ideas.

Having motivation and ambition is key to your creating the most beautiful artistry and synergy between people looking to make a difference in the world, or to come up with the next movie, book, or even company idea so that you can survive financially.

Another really important thing to do to get inspired is to create a routine that you can stick to. Whether it be a workout routine or a work habit routine, create it and stick with it. For me as a writer and artist, I wake up around 4 am and spend the first 3 hours of my day writing, or editing my work, whether it be a blog post, a chapter in a new book, or even creating a movie screenplay that will eventually be turned into a book. My routine hasn’t changed. If I’m not writing something I’m creating something in the art genre, sketching something to paint, trying out a new medium or just trying to come up with a new marketing strategy program to sell my artwork.

Surprisingly enough I’ve found that just cleaning the house helps clear my mind and motivate me to create a new idea or concept. Yes, I said cleaning helps and so does doing the laundry. Many time we get creative blocked by the overwhelming stress of not being able to accomplish basic tasks like housework, laundry, cooking, running errands, etc. Once we’ve gotten those tasks accomplished it seems to open our minds to being more creative. Try it and see if it helps you too.  

You know just going for a walk or a drive sometimes helps unblock your mind, but I’ve found that bringing along a tape recorder and jotting down ideas or just talking to yourself and recording it helps too. The same thing goes for creating an exercise program to help build a jump-start mechanism for your brain.

In the end, if you can’t get motivated find a role model, mentor, or a life coach that you feel would inspire you to be more creative. Changing your mindset is key to making yourself more inspired and creative. Change is the key to your being successful, so make the change today.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Graduating with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University kin Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.