There’s nothing mystical about inspiration, if we learn to use words appropriately. I agree; spiritualizing creativity or that special-process-of-you is counter productive. It compartmentalizes and excludes something that needs to be included in our entire makeup if we’re going to be able to encourage it at our beck and call.

Otherwise we’re at the mercy of external forces. Who ever got far acting like that? I bet Laettner didn’t.

I think inspiration can strike at any time, but that doesn’t mean you should wait for it.

Thanks for sharing!

You’ve got the tools. Get out of your own way…

You’re right that external influences can jump-start new ideas, so maybe I’d separate “inspiration” from “influence” in that regard, since the latter is a direct cause or motivation, the former is an emotional pick-me-up.

Of course, that doesn’t leave room for long-term influences, which are a category apart from immediate “a-ha!” moments of clarity. Maybe we need more words in the global vocabulary.

Thanks for this. Not sure I agree with you though esp re the following. You say:

To me, the need to be inspired implies two things:

You believe external obstacles are preventing you from achieving your goals, and
You’re not personally convinced that what you’re pursuing is achievable.

I think you’ve misdefined inspiration here. True, it is often used in a “you need inspiration to overcome adversity” type of way as you suggest. However, inspiration also plays a role in the formulation and genesis of ideas/actions.

So, for example, Johnny Cash was inspired to write “Get Rhythm” after seeing poor kids shining shoes on the streets. Kool Herc was inspired by Jamaican soundsystems and DJ’s to throw the party that is often cited as the birth of hip hop. in both instances a “source” of inspiration led to a new innovation/creation. In this regard we all need inspiration – because events in the wider world affect us and help drive us to create new things.

Your definition of the word is too narrow.