4 Steps to “Jump Start Inspiration” and Business Drive
In business and life inspiration always begins on the inside and moves outward
After being “displaced from a successful 25-year corporate banking career, I found myself being defined as a middle-aged mother of 4, driving around in a mini-van with stick-figure stickers on the rear window and eating my lunch while watching the latest morning show.
It didn’t take long before I realized my inspiration for fun and things I had once considered to be exciting had all begun to fizzle out. Dinners at trendy restaurants no longer seemed stimulating, attending black-tie functions had begun to lose their buzz and I began to find the flicker of my internal light less and less bright. I questioned myself, I doubted those around me and knew I needed to do something get my “groove” back.
Experience as a businesswomen
As a businesswomen and having managed and lead successful teams in the corporate world, I understood the principles of motivation and inspiration. I now had to apply these ideas inward and create a plan for myself. I had lost my direction and my drive and needed to get myself inspired and back on track. I not only had myself but also my kids were counting on me.
I shifted my thinking, reframed my thoughts and began spending time alone with my thoughts. The more I sat in silence, the more ideas I explored and the stronger I became. Here are just a few of the things I came up with along the way that helped to “jump start my inspiration.”
Here are the 4 Steps to “Jump Start Inspiration” and Business Drive:
1. Step outside in nature
Whether it’s taking a walk along the beach, sitting on a park bench watching kids play, or planting a small garden, find something that “connects” you with nature and get yourself outside. Don’t be afraid to get your hands in dirt or your feet in the sand. Play with nature. Whether it’s a 15 minute walk with your dog after work or a 30 minute bike ride on Saturday afternoon, the idea here is to keep it simple and outdoors.
2. Find color around you
It’s amazing what some crayons, paint, and a little paper can do for you! Stop by your local craft store for new art supplies and allow your “Artist” to explore!
Pick out some clay, create some fun shapes and don’t be afraid of color. Go back to drawing those trees, flowers, and little houses you once did as a child. No judging or labeling allowed, just plain fun with colors, crafts and crazy ideas! Select colors you would normally “never” use and give yourself permission to “think outside the box.”
3. Pick-n-Purge
Whether it’s a kitchen drawer that’s overstuffed or a cabinet that is never used. Pick a small project and begin sorting and throwing away. Think of purging as a form of cleansing. The more space you make the more room you allow for change. Giving away useful items to others is always rewarding and clears out space for new things to come into your life.
Purging followed up with a garage sale is a great way to save money too! I recall I once assigned my children the task of rolling loose coin from around the house and we took a small weekend vacation with the earnings.
To this day, I still find them talking about wanting to do it again on a bigger scale. Stay away from daunting tasks like a very messy garage or a large closet project. Keep it simple and attainable and something that will give you a sense of reward and accomplishment fairly easily.
4. Create a Sacred Space
Creating a sacred space is not about furniture shopping or purchasing new artwork. Pick a corner in your home or a small space outdoors and make it your own. Use this space for reading, journaling, meditating or praying. You will be amazed at how moving a small item or two from one space to another space in your home will change the look completely. Candles, lamps, rugs and pillows moved to new spaces is a great start for creating your own “Sacred Space” and finding a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration.
Inspiration always begins on the inside and moves outward. Without making space for new we tend to stay right where we are and only find ourselves repeating the same behaviors and wondering why we don’t move forward. I recall the first painting I did of a sunflower in my mid-40’s without any formal training. My heart was racing, my palms were sweaty, and I waited for the kids to leave to school to be alone. When the kids returned in the afternoon, they were shocked and just as surprised to discover that their mother was an artist!
I never knew this hidden love and talent within me and may not have discovered had I not opened myself to the possibilities. So open yourself up, “Lean In” to the possibilities and Jump Start Your Inspiration!
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