Finding Inspiration
“Inspiration” is a word with gravitas. It is after all, the driving force behind every medical and scientific discovery, every artist’s oil painting and pencil sketch, every entrepreneur’s passion-fueled business venture, and every Home Stager’s, Decorator & ReDesigner’s, and Event Planner’s project. This process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something innovative, is the foundation of every creative endeavour. Inspiration can appear as quickly as a lightening strike, or as slowly as a low roll of thunder miles away. And like any important word, its power resonates. Inspiration has far-reaching effects that extend well beyond mere ideas.
As journalist and author Jane Pauley quipped, “Inspiration is everywhere, but you have to be looking”. Even the mundane experiences of everyday life can lead to innovative thoughts and actions if you are paying attention. The key to finding inspiration is to be open to it; to welcome its presence into your life; to live with all five senses on high alert. “You have to let creativity and inspiration come to you. The more you chase it, the less success you may have in finding it”. But do not fear, if inspiration is ever just beyond your grasp, there are simple ways to encourage it.
As an entrepreneur, how can you encourage inspiration?
- Take a walk outside.
- The sights, sounds and scents of nature can awaken your senses, and create a shift in how you view time. “When you spend time in nature, you tend to feel a sense of “awe” and as though time is expanding.” This feeling of time-abundance can reduce stress, increase brain function, and inspire creativity.
- Physical activity stimulates the mind. It takes you away from your thoughts and allows you to concentrate on a physical task. The after-effects also create a more alert, focused, and positive mindset; all of which are welcome-signs for inspiration.
- Taking a mental break encourages the flow of ideas; it refreshes the mind and replenishes your mental resources, allowing creativity and inspiration to ignite.
- Simply changing your environment can spark inspiration by giving you a new way of looking at things. “The physical space around us has a surprising impact on thought processes”.
- Practice looking at old things in new ways.
- Just as changing your environment can be inspiring, so too can altering your methods of thinking.
- Try looking at your everyday surroundings with a fresh perspective. Pick three ordinary objects, and for each one, spend three minutes creatively thinking of ways to use it or describe it.
- Learn something new.
- When you learn a new subject or skill, it strengthens your brain and stimulates curiosity.
- Curiosity is to be encouraged. It is after all, the mind’s spark plug; it ignites the ‘air’ within your brain and creates tiny ‘bursts’ of creativity and inspiration.
- Keep a journal or notebook handy to capture your thoughts.
- “Putting your thoughts on paper makes it easier to go back and find the stroke of genius”.
- Journaling also highlights the inner workings of your brain, allowing you to discover how your mind channels inspiration.
- Read
- Exploring a variety of reading materials such as novels, blogs, and articles covering subjects related to your industry and beyond, encourages your mind to think big.
- Read an autobiography of someone you admire; “hearing about their struggles and triumphs can be very inspiring”.
- Reading is exercise for your brain; it allows you to “travel” to interesting places, and “can lead you down a trail of completely new ideas”. You never know what will spark your imagination!
- Meditate
- Just as physical activity allows you to be away from your thoughts, so too does meditation.
- Even for short periods of time, concentrating only on your breathing will free your mind and encourage inspiration to come to you.
As a Home Stager, Decorator & ReDesigner, and Event Planner, how can you encourage inspiration?
- Look to nature.
- Once again, immersing yourself in nature can be inspiring. “The wonderment of creation is awe-inspiring and can easily translate to your next design project”.
- The colours and textures observed in the outdoors can ignite your imagination, encouraging innovative uses in your interior or event designs.
- Take up a hobby or craft.
- Being creative in other ways, such as painting, drawing, or even knitting “refills the creative well and powers up your design senses”.
- Use this opportunity to experiment with colour. Get excited about new combinations and hues and build curiosity about how to incorporate them into your next project. “The process of experimentation is liberating and can spark some amazing ideas”.
- Watch a movie.
- Losing yourself in a movie can spark alternative avenues of creativity. “There’s something powerful about a great film that can really get you thinking”.
- By paying attention to the décor aspects of the production, you can also gain inspiration from featured interior design styles.
- Appreciate the art of the film and allow yourself to simply “feel”.
- Flip through a fashion magazine.
- The current colours, patterns and textures can provide inspiration for your Staging, ReDesign, and Event projects. “The fashion world is a great way to keep up-to-date on trends and/or be trendsetting without blatantly following interior trends”.
- Incorporating trends keeps you competitive as well, ensuring you remain a leader in your field.
- Find inspiration in the quiet moments.
- “Spending time unplugged, disconnected, and in silence can improve your focus, productivity and creativity”.
- Shutting out the outside world allows you to lose yourself in your work. Without distractions your ideas can flow free.
- Focus on yourself.
- You are the key to your business’ success; focus on your mental and physical health.
- Do something that brings you joy; happiness breeds creativity and a positive mindset.
As an entrepreneur, what are the effects of encouraging inspiration?
- Encouraging and nurturing inspiration allows you to stand out from your competition.
- Your creative and innovative ideas make your designs unique, ensuring higher level results.
- Seeking inspiration becomes a habit.
- You look for inspiration in every facet of your business, including your missteps.
- Assessing your mistakes ensures you not only avoid repeating them, but that you gain inspiration from them as well.
- Inspiration awakens you to new possibilities.
- It transforms the way you perceive your own capabilities. You can set higher goals for yourself, knowing that you have the gravitas of inspiration on your side.
- Knowing you can find inspiration, increases your self-esteem. The ability to harness it is a powerful tool in your entrepreneurial toolbelt.
- You use inspiration as a springboard for creativity in every project.
- Your time spent planning and executing your Home Staging, Decorating & ReDesign, and Event Planning projects is productive and efficient, allowing you to expediate results and take on more clients.
- This leads to a higher income and more success.
Inspiration is crucial for any entrepreneur, but especially those in an artistic industry. These businesses are built on a foundation of innovation and creativity. Being mentally stimulated does not happen by chance; it is encouraged and nurtured at every turn. Knowing you can find inspiration, even when it seems out of reach, is life changing.
It ensures unique, higher level results, and success at every turn.
As an entrepreneur, what are the effects of encouraging inspiration?
- Encouraging and nurturing inspiration allows you to stand out from your competition.
- Your creative and innovative ideas make your designs unique, ensuring higher level results.
- Seeking inspiration becomes a habit.
- You look for inspiration in every facet of your business, including your missteps.
- Assessing your mistakes ensures you not only avoid repeating them, but that you gain inspiration from them as well.
- Inspiration awakens you to new possibilities.
- It transforms the way you perceive your own capabilities. You can set higher goals for yourself, knowing that you have the gravitas of inspiration on your side.
- Knowing you can find inspiration, increases your self-esteem. The ability to harness it is a powerful tool in your entrepreneurial toolbelt.
- You use inspiration as a springboard for creativity in every project.
- Your time spent planning and executing your Home Staging, Decorating & ReDesign, and Event Planning projects is productive and efficient, allowing you to expediate results and take on more clients.
- This leads to a higher income and more success.
Inspiration is crucial for any entrepreneur, but especially those in an artistic industry. These businesses are built on a foundation of innovation and creativity. Being mentally stimulated does not happen by chance; it is encouraged and nurtured at every turn. Knowing you can find inspiration, even when it seems out of reach, is life changing.
It ensures unique, higher level results, and success at every turn.
