Inspiration: The Fuel to Go the Distance

Muhammad Ali once said, “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” These words can be very inspiring if you are a person that is grinding through a rigorous training, overcoming a heartache, struggling through an unfortunate circumstance or maybe trying to survive a job that makes Monday’s unbearable.

Inspiration enables people to be more productive and have an easier time achieving their goals. They tend to feel more satisfied with their lives and their work. Amazingly the many hours they spend, unknowingly just seems to slip away faster when they are flat out inspired. Bright ideas and solutions to complex problems come to them easily, seemingly out of nowhere. But how does a person capture inspiration?

I am very fortunate to be inspired quite often, mainly from the numerous conversations I have with people whom I call “idea generators”. Idea generators are the inventors who just can’t seem to help having a constant free-flow of innovative ideas in the technology space.  At Headway Idea Labs, I have the privilege of speaking to such idea generators, witnessing projects progress in directions I never expected them to go and seeing people‘s dream ideas come closer to Fruition! I love to be inspired and to inspire others to capture their own visions for making and leaving their unique mark in this world. Need some inspiration? Here are just a few ideas for you to get it.

• Emotional Investment – Psychologists have proven that emotions are essential to inspiring change. If you want to inspire yourself, think about why a goal is important to you emotionally. If you want to inspire others, think about why that goal might be important on an emotional level and learn to communicate it passionately. I noticed this will more than likely help create a solid cohesive team that is focused on a unified goal.
• Teamwork – According to the Harvard Business Review, people work harder and feel more inspired when they believe they’re working towards a shared goal. Find people who have likeminded ambitions like you and commit to meeting with them on a regular basis. Have brainstorming sessions regularly on what changes are needed in the world you live in and what possible ways you can contribute. Consistency as we all know can be very difficult so be realistic on how much frequency is possible and then stick to it. It helps an inspired team go the distance!
• A Positive Environment – Inspiration researchers have found that when people reflect upon past moments of inspiration, they remember more positive versus negative emotions. Positive environments and positive thoughts surrounding a goal are much more likely to elicit inspiration than hostile, negative environments and overly critical thought. Think back to times when you’ve felt inspire, and you’ll see how true this is. As much as you can, place yourself in environments and around people that influence synergy, collaboration and innovation.
• Meaning – Inspiration researchers also found that inspiration often comes from meaningful or fulfilling tasks. If a task enriches your life or the lives of others in a powerful way, inspiration is more likely to come – and stick. To me, this is the most important driver.  Only you  can live your life and ensure that it counts for something!

   Now go get Inspired!