Finding Inspiration

In his book, Change or Die, Alan Deutschman states his three keys to making a change. The first is to Relate; find a person or an idea or thing that inspires you to want to change. The second key is to Repeat the new behavior that you were inspired to start. Performing the first two keys allow you to Reframe, the third key. Reframing allows you to change your perspective to see that your old habits or actions no longer make sense or fit in your worldview.

Of the three keys, I believe that the first one (relate) is the toughest to accomplish. Finding inspiration is not an easy task, mostly because it’s such a personal choice. What some find inspirational, others find irritating. What you need to do is let inspiration find you. This can happen when you open your heart and mind to the world around you. Too often, when we are stressed and feeling down, we draw inward, feeling hopeless and powerless to change.

There are a number of ways to open up and let inspiration find you. One of the best ways is to exercise. Not only will regular exercise reduce your stress levels, it can also boost self-esteem. There is also some research that shows exercise can change your brain (1).

I have found reading to be a very inspirational. Pick a book about a person who accomplished something great or a book about something you always wanted to do, but never thought you could. Even a good fiction book that allows you to leave the real world behind for a while can set the seeds of inspiration.

Finally, one last place to find inspiration is inside you. I’m not talking about the inward place we go when we are frustrated and down, but an inward place we purposely go to be peaceful. Meditation has a host of benefits (2) and it doesn’t take too much time or cost a lot of money.

Inspiration is out there just waiting for us to unlock the front door!

(1) Beneficial Effects of Physical Exercise on Neuroplasticity and Cognition

(2) The Science Behind Meditation, and Why it Makes You Feel Better

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