Have you ever felt stuck? You know the feeling. You are going about your daily routine almost as if you are on autopilot. There is no real spark, no real emotions high or low. It is not that you are in a bad mood or are frustrated; you simply lack the inspiration you need to move forward in the most productive way. You can stumble upon one of these "stuck" moments at any time, and sometimes they just sneak up on you.
I recently found myself stuck at work. I had a project to finish for a class I was teaching, and it was a project that required some creativity. It wasn’t cut and dry. I started and stopped this project four times, totally scrapping what I had done each of the three previous times. I was struggling to find my inspiration. What did that inspiration end up being? A deadline that I couldn’t push back any longer.
As Rita Mae Brown once said, “A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it is better than no inspiration at all.”
While it is not the type of inspiration I prefer, at lease, I finished the class. Lately, I have noticed that a lot of the people around me have seemed less-than-inspired about their life, including work, significant others, kids. Many of them have been doing the same thing for quite awhile. I feel that often people continue to stay in the place they are stuck in because it is easier or safer than the alternative. It can take a lot of courage to seek out new inspiration. But often once you find it you feel rejuvenated, and life just seems better. If we can get past the notion that if we try something new and fail that life will be over, more often than not thing seem to end up better in the end.
So why is it that some people can hold onto their inspiration and drive longer than others? I think it has to do with their “itch cycle”. Do you have an itch cycle with things in your life? Have you ever stopped to think about it? I have some friends who have about a three to five year itch cycle in their work life. The thing is, in all of these circumstances people find joy when they can make a change.
Other friends of mine have been working in the same position for years, even decades and they are still enjoying it. Amazingly, they have found ways to keep finding new inspiration and the motivation they need to continue moving ahead in their career.
If you are looking for inspiration, try looking around you because there is inspiration everywhere. Try things out to find what inspires you. Sometimes you just need to do something as simple as stepping outside away from where you are stuck. Find your own ways to get inspired.
“We would like to leave you with this very clear knowing that we hold: You are just a few laughs away from letting a whole lot of good stuff in. You are just a few kisses away from letting a whole lot of good stuff in. You are just a little bit of relief away from letting a whole lot of good stuff in.” Abraham
I am so ready to let the good stuff in!
Ayibobo!
Khouzhan Avery
