I recently asked on G+ “How do you get inspired”.
In return, I was asked how I myself get inspired.
I love this question.
I often have times when I “get” inspired.
More often that not though, I work toward inspiration.
This is a concept that I once read about in a book during my web designing days by Hillman Curtis, titled, “MTIV” or “Making the Invisible Visible”.
In it, he presented an idea that instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, another option is to work towards inspiration, actively seeking and exploring in order to become inspired. Inspiration is viewed then more as a process rather than something to grasp hold of and own.
He of course explains it far more eloquently that I do. Although the subject matter is around web design, the concept and process can be used for all creatives.
Ways I work towards inspiration include:
For Writing:
- Make Tea / Drink tea
- Go for a walk
- Head into a town or city
- People watch
- Go somewhere new
- Keep my eyes open
- Listen to music – especially orchestral movie soundtracks
- Being in nature
- Turn on the computer
- Write simple words
- Read a few select other blogs (Ev / Gwen / Seth / Leo)
- Read new books and ideas
- Browse my G+ follow list and peruse other converstaions and blog postings.
For Music Production:
- Open iTunes
- Turn on shuffle
- Skip through until I hear a song I haven’t heard in a while
- Skip through until I hear a sample that gives me an idea
- Start making music
I often do not have the luxury of waiting for inspiration to strike, or waiting until I “feel” inspired. I simply sit down and start doing the work, working towards inspiration, one small step at a time.
Honestly, sometimes working toward inspiration is a full on war. Read Steven Pressfield’s “War of art” for more on this. Once I get going however, inspiration soon shows up and graces me with her presence.
How do you work towards inspiration?
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