When Inspiration Doesn’t Strike

As we approach 4th quarter, are you ready - really ready - to finish strong?
Christi Hegstad September 29th, 2020

“I know we’re heading into 4th quarter, and I want to finish the year strong … but I’m just not feeling it! How can I get re-inspired?”

Does this sound – or feel – familiar?

If you’re waiting for inspiration to strike, I have good news and bad news:

The good news: You’re not alone. Even the most high-achieving among us feels a dip in motivation and loss of inspiration from time to time.

The bad news: If you simply wait around for inspiration to strike, you may wait a long, loooooooooong time.

But, more good news: You don’t have to sit around and wait. You can re-inspire yourself, and it may not even require much time or effort!

 

Where To Start

When my coaching clients need a boost of inspiration, we often begin with a Breakthrough Map.

At its most basic: Decide the issue to solve, put it in the form of a “How can I…” question, and brainstorm away. (Learn more about the Breakthrough Map process here.)

Putting our two heads together, we can typically generate 25+ possibilities within a matter of minutes, an act that – in and of itself – tends to fuel further inspiration.

 

Give The Breakthrough Map A Try

Let’s take the question, “How can I get re-inspired?” as an example. Some ideas appearing on your Breakthrough Map may include:

* Create new short-term goals that kickstart you into gear, one small step at a time.

* Revisit your Vision and Purpose Statements to remind you where you’re headed and why.

* Connect with your coach.

* Declutter / clear out your immediate space.

* Brainstorm advice you would offer if someone came to you and said, “How can I get re-inspired?”

* Read a memoir or listen to an in-depth interview from someone you admire.

* Step away from your current environment and into nature: Head outside for a walk, ride your bike along a nearby river, or grab your lawn chair and head to your own backyard.

Keep going with ideas until you generate twenty-five or more!

Re Inspired Breakthrough Map

Your Next Inspired Action

From there, you can choose one idea and begin.

Or you can categorize and order your ideas.

Or you could select your top 3 and focus your attention there, put the map away for a while and return to it for a second round, or take any number of actions.

And therein lies the key: Action.

While thinking about an issue is an important place to start, acting on it will boost our inspiration many times over – plus begin building momentum for the foreseeable future.

Take some time today to create a Breakthrough Map for re-inspiration, then hop into action. Be sure to let me know what other inspiration-boosting ideas you generate!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Achievers, here to help you bring your purpose to work, leadership, and life! Reach out today to learn more.

 

 


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