Psychologists define inspiration as being motivated by something outside
yourself that evokes an idea and/or the impulse to produce something
creatively. It’s “a motivational state that compels individuals to bring ideas into
fruition” (Oleynick et al., 2014).
When we’re inspired, we feel a strong sense of purpose and direction.
Inspiration can lead to the generation of new ideas, the pursuit of personal
goals, the creation of art, the solving of problems, and the development of
innovative concepts. Inspiration is also considered a positive emotion (Watson
et al., 1988). It’s characterized by feelings of excitement, motivation, and awe.
Some sources or triggers of inspiration include:
● New ideas and experiences: This could involve reading books,
watching movies, traveling, or meeting new people. When we are
exposed to new things, it can help us to see the world in new ways and
come up with new ideas.
● Challenges and setbacks: While they are typically unpleasant at the
time, challenges and setbacks can actually be a source of inspiration.
They can force us to think outside the box and come up with new
solutions.
● Nature: Being in nature has been shown to boost creativity and
promote inspiration. This is likely because nature can help us to relax
and clear our minds.
● Other people: We can be inspired by the people around us, such as
our friends, family, mentors, and role models. Seeing what others have
accomplished can motivate us to achieve our own goals.
● Passion: When we are passionate about something, we are more likely
to be inspired to work hard and achieve our goals. Passion can also
help us to overcome challenges and setbacks.
● Awe: The experience of awe promotes inspiration (Dai & Jiang, 2023).
Awe is the feeling of experiencing something larger than yourself,
something that is difficult to integrate into your current understanding of
the world (Keltner & Haidt, 2003).
● Art: Art can inspire us to think differently, see the world in new ways,
and express ourselves creatively.
Like all emotions, the feeling of inspiration comes from your brain. In a recent
study, inspiration was triggered by giving people a design problem to solve
and then exposing them to clues or objects that help to evoke solutions.
During this process, brain imaging showed that different parts of the brain are
active when engaging in inspirational thinking (Goucher-Lambert et al., 2019).
Ideas for Inspiration
Here are some ideas for finding inspiration:
● Connect with art: Visit art galleries, museums, and exhibitions.
● Listen to music: Discover new genres and artists. Pay attention to the
lyrics and emotions conveyed.
● Experience nature: Spend time at parks, in forests, or by the ocean.
Mindfully observe your surroundings.
● Exercise: Move your body; this can jumpstart your creative brain.
● Journal: Keep a journal to document your thoughts, ideas, and
experiences. Reflect on your goals and aspirations.
● Read: Read books and articles from lots of different genres and
perspectives. Explore topics you’re not familiar with.
● Try something new: Try something outside of your comfort zone. Learn
a new skill or start a new hobby. Learning something new can be
stimulating and inspiring, not to mention confidence-building.
● Travel: Experience new cultures and landscapes. Interact with people
from different backgrounds that may have different ideas and
perspectives.
● Practice mindfulness and mediation: Practice mindfulness to stay
present and focused. Meditation can help clear your mind and stimulate
creativity.
● Have conversations: Engage in meaningful conversations with diverse
people. Discuss ideas, experiences, and challenges.
In Sum
Inspiration is a powerful force that can lead to personal and professional
growth. It can help us overcome challenges, persevere in the face of
adversity, and create something new and innovative. In addition to its ability to
spark breakthroughs in science, technology, and design, it also has many
benefits for our health and well-being. Some of the benefits include personal
growth, connection, enhanced productivity, and sharpened focus. But perhaps
the biggest benefit is the influence it can have on our happiness and feelings
of fulfillment in life.
While we can’t make inspiration happen with something like willpower, we can
create an environment to encourage it. It’s important to be curious, challenge
the norm, look beyond the obvious, and seek out new experiences.
References
● Dai, Y., & Jiang, T. (2023). Inspired by awe: Awe promotes inspiration
via self-transcendence. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1–15.
● Goucher-Lambert, K., Moss, J., & Cagan, J. (2019). A neuroimaging
investigation of design ideation with and without inspirational
stimuli—understanding the meaning of near and far stimuli. Design
Studies, 60, 1–38.
● Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and
aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314.
● Oleynick, V. C., Thrash, T. M., LeFew, M. C., Moldovan, E. G., &
Kieffaber, P. D. (2014). The scientific study of inspiration in the creative
process: Challenges and opportunities. Frontiers in Human
Neuroscience, 8, 436.
● Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and
validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS
scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063.