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Our lives are filled with moments that can be either positively awe-inspiring, or painfully unremarkable.
There may be times in life where we are reminded of how great things are, or how wonderful things are going for us.
And then there are other times where we struggle to create, to find meaning, and we lose sight of our purpose.
(Read this to learn which steps you should take to survive your quarter-life crisis).
Think about it. How often have you sat down in front of your computer, and your mind felt as empty as the screen looked in front of you? Or how many times have you been turned down for something you really wanted, and questioned whether you as a person were ‘good enough?’
Staying inspired isn’t easy, and inspiration isn’t constant. It ebbs and flows and comes in highs and lows.
As a human, you can’t be expected to be totally zen when the sh*t hits the fan and you’re faced with a challenging situation, but you don’t have to lose sight of what inspires and drives you because of it either.
(Here are 6 things you shouldn’t do when you feel stressed out or overwhelmed).
So if you’re struggling to hold onto inspiration, or if you’ve lost sight of what made you start this journey in the first place, follow these 6 tips to help you stay inspired.
6 Ways to Stay Inspired and Motivated
1. Know that to struggle is to become stronger. Many of us resist the struggle that comes with staying inspired. Rather than resisting it, take a moment to recognize the fact that struggling is the only way you become stronger and wiser. Your ability to accept that you are facing a challenge and that you are struggling is in itself strength. Embrace this challenge, and you’ll quickly find that not only does this remove the pressure you once felt, but also that you’re encouraged and motivated by the experience.
2. Set aside time for the things you enjoy. We all have those moments where inspiration is the last emotion we feel. When this happens, this is a good time to simply take a break, and do something you truly enjoy doing. Whether it’s hiking, grabbing a coffee with a pal, or trying out a new recipe, let your mind take a break from the usual grind. Though it may be difficult to step away from whatever you’re working on, your health and happiness are integral to your success. Give yourself a break, and you’ll find it’s that much easier to return to the task at hand when you’re refreshed and motivated.
3. Reflect on your intentions. We often create the expectation that inspiration is something that remains constant. In reality though, inspiration is dynamic, meaning that it’s impossible to feel a constant stream of it. It ebbs and flows with the day, your mood, and whatever you’re working on. For this reason, it’s easy to lose sight of your larger goals when you feel a dip in inspiration. When this happens, reflect on your intentions. Why are you doing something that matters to you? What does this do for you? Answering questions like these will help to clarify your purpose, while maintaining perspective.
4. Talk to others. Reach out to those who know what you’re going through, those who have found success, or those that may have ideas to help you along. A word of encouragement can go miles, especially when it’s from someone who’s been in your shoes before.
5. Never stop learning. We’ve all heard the saying that “Knowledge is power,” and what better way to fuel your inspiration than to keep learning? Focusing on your own personal growth is key to staying inspired, simply because it encourages your mind to stay active, and propels your pursuit of knowledge. Plus, solutions become a lot clearer when you’ve learned everything there is to know about the challenge or problem you’re facing.
6. Take care. It’s easy to put your health on the back burner when you’re consumed with a project, but doing this, especially for long periods of time, can have serious consequences. The last thing you need to happen is to compromise your health and fall ill. Nothing is more uninspiring than being sick, so be sure that you’re taking care of yourself. Drink plenty of water, get adequate sleep, eat healthily, and make sure you’re breaking a sweat a few times a week.
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