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Daily Leadership Thought #78 – Seek Inspiration

January 13, 2011

Free A Woman Sits On A Rock Beside The Lake Stock Photo

We all need to be inspired every once in a while.  Leaders especially need to find sources of inspiration because the very nature of their role is to inspire others.  There are many ways to trigger inspiration, but you must always find it within yourself.  Everyone is different in terms of what truly resonates with them.  Personally, I turn to music, certain authors and poets, biographies of transformational leaders and movies that have positively affected me.

I’ve also found that being inspired can and should happen spontaneously and try to put myself in situations where this is possible.  For example, I find time driving on the highways to be a bland and frustrating experience (especially during rush hour).   I much prefer driving on back roads even if it takes a bit longer.  I happen to live in the scenic state of Maryland so it’s not too hard to find something pleasing all around me when I do this.  And, the experience of beauty usually leads to some level of an emotional response which can be inspiring if you are open to it.

I’ve also been inspired situationally through observing the joy and/or perseverance in others who are navigating the highs and lows of life.  Just being there for a friend or colleague can be a powerful experience. It’s amazing what any one individual is capable of when their back is against the wall.  This is also why it is important to be selective about who you spend your time with because they will inspire and motivate you or they won’t or even worse do the opposite.

I encourage you to seek inspiration as part of your daily journey.  This doesn’t mean it will always happen or that your routine experiences will consistently be profound ones.   However, it does mean you will be more open to those unique events when they do happen.   And, when they occur, it will feed your own capacity for imagination, creativity, and redefining what’s possible in life, which is always a good thing.