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Do You Want to Live a More Inspired Life?
The Writing Process
Sometimes I sit at my computer to write an article and the experience is a very logical, cerebral2 and practical one. To be honest, I think it’s more of a conscious process than it is a creative experience. I carefully consider what I want to convey to my readers. I think about the key messages, the communication style, some possible examples and analogies and whether or not I should share from a personal story to add a level of depth and insight to the reading experience.
It’s fair to say that this style of writing doesn’t really come from a place of inspiration (which is okay). It’s typically educational, instructional and informative3 but rarely inspirational. If it does manage to inspire or excite anyone, the response is typically more about the reader than it is the article. And while I (nearly) always enjoy writing, it’s fair to say that producing these types of articles – as necessary as they may be – doesn’t really excite me (greatly) or provide me with a huge sense of achievement or satisfaction at this point in my journey.
It’s kind of like work.
Perhaps my days of writing “how to create a perfect arse in four weeks” (type) articles are numbered. Oh well, there’s always the archives to sift4 through.
Turning on The Inspiration Tap
Then there are times when I have no (immediate) plan to write anything but something happens and I have to stop what I’m doing and literally5 run to my computer. Sometimes, I feel like I’m sprinting6 with a glass full of milk trying desperately7 not to lose any of my milk (inspiration) as I run. Have you ever had an amazing idea or revelation and then lost it two minutes later? How frustrating8 is that?
Sometimes I’m inspired and stimulated9 in the most inconvenient10 and impractical11 places and situations. I often find myself recording12 ideas and thoughts into the voice recorder on my phone while I’m driving because something or someone has pushed a button or opened a door (metaphorically speaking).
Many times in cafes and restaurants, I have downloaded ideas, feelings and thoughts onto a serviette or piece of scrap13 paper because the situation, conversation or experience turned on some kind of uncontrollable creative tap inside me. And that’s exactly what it’s like when I’m inspired: uncontrollable. It’s like the words flow despite me not because of me. I find that when I’m in that place, writing (or speaking, for that matter) is effortless and joyful14.
And who wouldn’t want that?
Flow
When my cerebral self (some might say egoic self) makes way for my creative and inspired self, anything can happen. And it does. It’s when I’m in flow. Doing what I’m built for. Happy.
While I need and value the logical, rational, strategic, grown-up (version of) me – to make sure I don’t do anything too stupid or reckless – the ‘me’ I really like is the free-style, who-gives-a-shit-what-people-think, ten year-old that lurks15 within. I like him because he doesn’t write for approval, permission, respect or status. He simply opens the floodgates and stands back. There’s no filter. No censor16. No strategy and no agenda. When it comes to creativity, inspiration and connection, sometimes the best plan is no plan. Sometimes, logical ‘me’ simply needs to get out of the way.
A Story
A few years back, I had to open a convention with a ninety-minute presentation to about a thousand people. Just before this particular gig, my manager, had been contacted by a well-known speaking agent who told us that she was interested in using me as a speaker at some upcoming conferences. She also informed him that she would be in the audience (of my upcoming gig) to evaluate me as a potential speaker for her stable.
On hearing this news, I decided17 to ‘razzle-dazzle’ my presentation a little. To make it a tad more polished, structured and, I hate to say it; electronic. Good grief. What was I thinking? I guess my thinking was that if I could wrap my speaking and entertaining skills around some slides, photos and maybe even a video clip, I’d blow Mrs Speaking Agent out of her chair.
What a stupid idea.
My Clever Plan
So, with my clever new plan to impress, I discarded my much-loved white-board and markers (the only tools I use when I present) and took to the stage with an electronic (slide-changing) clicker in hand; the clicker that was about to take the audience and I on an electronic journey of personal growth and wonder (via my snappy new audio-visual presentation).
Again, stupid idea.
Fifteen minutes into my presentation, I realised that I had totally forgotten about the clicker in my hand. What slides? What power-point presentation? What plan? What… an idiot. I panicked. I went from being ‘in flow’ and speaking from the heart, to clumsily trying to figure out what number slide I was up to. Like a deer in the headlights, I awkwardly clicked my way back and forward through random18 slides and felt my anxiety level rising. In the space of a few minutes, I had managed to move from connection (with my audience) to total disconnection.
Quite the achievement.
By switching from my instinctive19, creative and freestyle mode (whiteboard boy) to cerebral, logical, let’s-impress-the-speaking-agent (ego) mode, the overall experience (for the audience and me) had gone from inspired to uninspired. The message from my heart was now coming from my over-thinking brain and I was totally losing the group. I was distracted and fighting for survival.
Back to Free-style
In a rare moment of clarity, I stopped all the electronic mayhem and clumsiness and walked to the edge of the stage. I put my presentation on hold for a moment and spoke20 to the group. “Is it okay with you guys, if I ditch the slide show? I don’t really know what I’m doing with this gizmo and to be honest, I find the slides kind of distracting and annoying.”
Fortunately for me, they laughed and graciously gave me permission to revert21 to my free-styling ways. Between us, we managed to save the sinking ship, nobody died and we all learned something. Not long after I finished the presentation, I spied ‘Mrs Speaking Agent’ making her way towards me. I had totally forgotten about her. “Oh well, I blew it” I thought to myself.
Surprisingly, her feedback was that she loved my story-telling and my humour but (not surprisingly) suggested that I never, ever use a PowerPoint presentation again.
Yes Ma’am.
And yes, she gave me some work.
Where I’m Happiest
While my life requires a level of practicality, planning, accountability and structure (like any life), it’s usually when I escape my mind, connect with my inner intelligence and operate from a place of inspiration, instinct and child-like enthusiasm that I feel most connected, authentic22, empowered and happy.
Today, I’m encouraging you to find your inspiration.
So, when are you most inspired? What turns on your ‘tap’? Do you want to live a more inspired life? As always, love to hear your thoughts, suggestions and ideas this topic. Even you long-time Lurkers.
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1
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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2
cerebral
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| adj.脑的，大脑的；有智力的，理智型的 | |
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informative
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| adj.提供资料的，增进知识的 | |
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sift
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| v.筛撒，纷落，详察 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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sprinting
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| v.短距离疾跑( sprint的现在分词 ) | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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frustrating
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| adj.产生挫折的，使人沮丧的，令人泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的现在分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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impractical
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| adj.不现实的，不实用的，不切实际的 | |
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recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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lurks
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| n.潜在，潜伏；（lurk的复数形式）vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的第三人称单数形式） | |
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censor
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| n./vt.审查，审查员；删改 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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revert
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| v.恢复，复归，回到 | |
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authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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