The ongoing battle of life: staying motivated and inspired. In this day and age, there are tons of reasons why you could find it easy to fall in and out of your groove. As time goes on, we become more and more divided from nature, which clearly negatively impacts us. Humans are a product of their environment, meaning there could be multiple things affecting our levels of motivation, and therefore, inspiration. Both of these vital aspects of life are equally as important. But did you know they go hand in hand?
There is a strong link between feeling unmotivated and uninspired. In this article, we are going to explore that link and also go over ways to boost motivation and inspiration!
What is inspiration?
Inspiration is difficult to define. It can be explained as a feeling/experience that evokes creativity, imagination and (you guessed it) motivation! It can come from various sources such as art, music, nature, personal experiences, books, or interactions with others. Inspiration can spark a sudden burst of ideas or a gradual development of a project. In return, feeling inspired often fuels passion and dedication towards accomplishing a goal. Without inspiration, individuals may feel stagnant and/or unproductive, as it is a crucial element in pursuing creativity, innovation and motivation. But what exactly is motivation? Let’s look at that now!
What is motivation?
Motivation is an internal or external drive that encourages individuals to act on or pursue a particular goal/outcome. It can be influenced by various factors such as personal values, expectations, rewards and recognition. Motivation plays an important role in defining the intensity, direction and perseverance of behaviour towards accomplishing different tasks, aims, or objectives. It triggers individuals to take action, develop meaningful relationships and work consistently towards bettering themselves and their surroundings. Motivation is a key aspect of enhancing the quality of one’s life. It can often lead to better performance, increased creativity and an overall sense of fulfilment and well-being.
The link between inspiration and motivation
Inspiration and motivation go hand in hand and cannot exist without each other! They are closely linked as one often leads to the other. Inspiration refers to the feeling of being mentally stimulated to do or create something, while motivation is the driving force behind taking action towards achieving a goal. When we are inspired, we feel compelled to act on it, which in turn increases our motivation to see it through. However, it’s important to note that inspiration can be fleeting, and it’s often the long-term motivation that keeps us consistently working towards our desired outcome.
How to stay inspired to create
Staying inspired is essential for achieving success in life. Here are a few tips to stay motivated:
1. Set achievable goals and track your progress
Setting achievable goals helps you stay focused, motivated and organized. Goals give clarity and direction to your efforts and help prioritize actions towards desired outcomes. Tracking your progress helps to stay on course, maintain a sense of achievement and provide insights into areas that might need improvements. Regularly assessing progress against set targets can help adjust strategies and identify areas for strengthening your performance. In short, setting achievable goals and monitoring progress are essential tools to ensure that you make steady progress towards success in whatever you’re doing.
2. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people
Surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people is crucial for your mental, emotional and physical well-being. Positive people can boost your morale, increase your self-esteem and inspire you to achieve your goals! People like this can help you stay motivated during tough times and make challenges seem more manageable. Supportive friends and family members can offer a listening ear, provide practical help when necessary and offer constructive feedback that can help you grow. By surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people, you can create a nurturing environment that fosters personal growth, happiness and success!
3. Take breaks and indulge in activities that bring you joy
Taking breaks and engaging in activities that bring joy is essential for increasing inspiration. Regular breaks and recreational activities help reduce stress, prevent burnout, improve productivity and creativity, allowing us to recharge and ultimately focus. Engaging in activities that bring you joy promotes a sense of fulfilment, self-care, and happiness, which ultimately enhances our overall quality of life. So, take a break, indulge in a hobby or pastime that brings a smile to your face and reap the benefits of a refreshed and rejuvenated state of mind.
4. Try microdosing psychedelics
Microdosing psychedelics is said to enhance creativity, boost motivation and provide inspiration. By taking small doses of certain psychedelics, such as LSD or magic mushrooms, individuals may experience a heightened awareness of their surroundings, allowing them to think more creatively and come up with new ideas that they perhaps wouldn’t be able to think of otherwise. Additionally, microdosing may boost dopamine levels, which are associated with motivation and mood-two things that go hand-in-hand! Some studies have shown that microdosing can lead to increased productivity and creativity, making it an appealing option for individuals looking to boost their motivation and inspiration. However, it is important to note that the effects of microdosing vary from person to person and, as with all things, should be approached with caution.
Click here to check out our liquid psychedelics!
5. Keep learning and challenging yourself with new experiences
Challenging oneself with something new is one of the fastest and more forward ways of experiencing personal growth and development. It helps increase knowledge, enhances skills and boosts overall confidence and self-esteem. Exposing oneself to unfamiliar situations and ideas can also broaden perspectives and promote adaptability. Moreover, keeping up with the rapidly changing world enables individuals to stay relevant in their fields and be able to face challenges more effectively. In summary, continuous learning of new things and welcoming self-challenges are essential for a fulfilling life full of inspiration.
6. Practice gratitude and focus on the positive aspects of your life
Practising gratitude and focusing on the positive aspects of one’s life can have a profound impact on mental health and overall well-being. Research has shown that individuals who regularly express gratitude experience lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression while experiencing higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. By actively reflecting on the good things in life, individuals can cultivate a more positive outlook and find joy in the present moment. This helps us to gain a drive for life and boosts motivation. Additionally, gratitude also enhances relationships, as expressing appreciation and thanks can strengthen connections with loved ones.
7. Reflect on your accomplishments and celebrate them
Reflecting on one’s accomplishments and celebrating them is a great thing to make time for as it helps to boost self-confidence and self-esteem. When we feel confident, we are more ambitious, which can help with motivation and drive. It serves as a powerful motivator that drives individuals to keep striving for more. Celebrating accomplishments also allows for a moment of rest and enjoyment amidst the constant grind of life. Recognizing and acknowledging individual effort and progress, no matter how big or small, is essential for mental and emotional well-being. Ultimately, reflecting and celebrating helps individuals to maintain a positive outlook on their journey towards their goals.
8. Lastly, have fun and get in touch with your childish side!
Being in touch with your childish side can help boost creativity. As children, we are free from inhibitions and societal norms, which allows us to think outside the box and embrace our imagination! When we tap into our childish side, we can unlock the same creativity and imaginative thinking that we had as children. This can lead to unique ideas and perspectives, as well as a more playful and fun approach to problem-solving. By embracing our inner child, we can bring a sense of fun and novelty to our work, which can lead to greater creativity and innovation. Lastly, if you focus on making tasks more fun and playful, the less daunting they are which means you’ll feel more motivated to complete them.
Final thoughts
Although a lack of inspiration and/or motivation can seem helpless and out of our hands, know that you are not alone with this feeling and many other individuals feel the same way that you do. It can feel like there is no way out or it can feel like you are stuck. Don’t give up hope and know that there are countless methods you can implement into your life to keep your creative juices flowing! Whether that be a microdose or going outside more often-or both… Re-evaluate what makes you feel truly alive and make an active effort to spend more of your time on exactly that! One thing we often forget: we are in control of more than we realise.
