boho style background with the word Inspiration

How Does Inspiration Work? (20 Ways to Get Inspired)

Inspiration is the powerful force that drives us to new heights of creativity and achievement in our lives. The feeling of being inspired is the flash of insight you experience when everything seems to just click into place and brilliant new ideas come rushing to your mind.

But just how does inspiration work? What triggers these motivated moments of brilliance, and why do they sometimes seem to come out of thin air while other times they seem impossible to find?

As someone who incorporates creativity and new ideas into my work on a daily basis, I often rely on inspiration to kickstart my projects and bring my creative visions to life. I frequently experience sudden bursts of inspiration that have motivated me to produce some of my best work and most creative ideas.

My goal is to help you understand how inspiration works and to share 20 ways to get inspired today. I want to give you a starting point for finding inspiration in the everyday moments that often go unnoticed yet lead to creative new experiences.

lightbulb inside thought bubble

How Does Inspiration Work?

The definition of inspiration comes from the Latin word “inspirare,” meaning “to breathe into.” This definition helps us understand inspiration as something that happens to us. We get to feel inspired or become inspired, but we can’t simply do inspired.

The feeling of inspiration involves both the mind and the heart. It’s an emotional experience that stirs the soul while engaging the brain’s cognitive processes. This creates a blend of passion and intellect that leads to creative action.

Research into the psychology of inspiration shows that inspiration activates positive emotions in the human brain, which leads to the formation of new connections between neurons that spark a creative impulse. 

When you feel inspired, you will find yourself drawing from new experiences or new information and using your intuition to piece together what you’ve learned to create something fresh.

Inspiration often stems from our environment, experiences, and even our emotions. It can be sparked by a conversation with a friend or role model, a film or song, or something as simple as a walk in nature. 

person embracing sunset

According to psychological research by cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman, inspiration doesn’t happen passively. It’s the result of openness to new possibilities and a readiness to act.

An inspired person engages with life fully to live with intention, constantly searching for new ways to enhance their personal growth.

Why Inspiration Matters

Inspiration matters because it drives personal development as one of the key forces behind motivation. It pushes us to step outside our comfort zone and picture new things, experiences, and possibilities that were once beyond our reach. 

Whether you’re solving a problem at work, leading a team, or seeking meaning and purpose in your personal life, the concept of inspiration plays an important role in motivating you to take action. 

Inspiration impacts both our personal and professional lives. Inspired individuals often have an empowering more positive outlook, better mental health, and a greater chance of success. 

20 Ways to Get Inspired Today

Inspiration can come from many different sources. There is the type of inspiration that appears out of nowhere at the best time possible, while other times moments of inspiration require us to actively seek them out. 

To help spark a little inspiration in your life, I have put together this list of 20 practical ways to get inspired and unlock your potential today!

  1. Seek Out New Ideas: Inspiration often starts with fresh input. The best thing you can do is read books, attend seminars, or talk to new people to spark your creativity.
  2. Learn From Other People’s Work: Study the successes of others. Whether it’s a family member, friends, or inspirational leaders from throughout history, the work of others can give you a good idea of what inspires you.
  3. Reflect on Your Personal Life: Sometimes inspiration comes from within without explanation. Spend time on personal reflection to discover your passion and purpose.
  1. Try New Experiences: Go on an adventure or try something you’ve never done before. Novelty stimulates the brain and can lead to an inspiring creative impulse.
  2. Take Deep Breaths: When feeling overwhelmed, try calming your mind with deep breathing. This can clear your neural networks and open up space for inspiration to come through.
  3. Engage in Creative Activities: Doodle, write, or paint. The act of creating can spark brilliant ideas.
  4. Expose Yourself to Art: Visit a gallery, take in a film, or listen to music. Art can provide a peak experience of inspiration that triggers new connections and a new perspective.
  5. Set High Standards: Sometimes pushing yourself to meet high standards can lead to inspiration when you least expect it.
  6. Talk to a Role Model: Conversations with a good leader or someone you admire can fuel your inspiration.
  7. Analyze Similar Work: Look at projects or work that are related to yours. This can help generate creative ideas for your own tasks.
  8. Embrace Intrapsychic Triggers: Be mindful of the mental cues that spark your inspiration, whether it’s a memory, a smell, or a song.
  9. Find Inspiration in Nature: A walk in the park or observing a sunset can provide that flash of insight you’ve been searching for.
  10. Create a Vision Board: Visualize your goals and aspirations by compiling images and quotes that resonate with you on a vision board. Display your creation in a visible area to take in its inspiration. 
  11. Step Away from the Status Quo: Sometimes we need to challenge the norm to spark innovative solutions.
  12. Connect with an Inspirational Organization: Engage with causes or movements that are doing exciting work in the world. Their energy may ignite your own.
  13. Embrace Free Time: Relax and enjoy some free time. Inspiration often strikes when we’re least busy.
  14. Collaborate with Creative People: Surrounding yourself with others who think outside the box increases your likelihood of coming up with great ideas.
  15. Explore the Creative Process: Dive deep into understanding how creativity works in fields like art and science.
  16. Experiment with Different Things: Trying new hobbies or learning new skills can give you that much-needed jolt of inspiration.
  17. Give Yourself Time: Realize that inspiration doesn’t always come immediately. Sometimes it takes a long period of searching before you find a good time for inspiration to strike.
team of people joining hands

Finding Your Inspiration

Inspiration doesn’t always come easily. As a starting point, try to change your mindset so that you are open to new possibilities. New people, the good things in your life, and even a simple act like a walk through the park can provide a deep moment of inspiration if you start paying even just a little attention to them!

My hope is that you can use the ideas from this list to choose the best way to spark your creative energy and find inspiration in your life.

Inspiration plays an essential part in shaping your personal development. Next time you feel uninspired, take comfort in knowing that inspiration can be found anywhere if you look hard enough!

Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family on social media! If you know someone who could use some inspiration, this post could be just what they need!


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