What’s the problem with inspiration?

Well, there’s nothing inherently wrong with inspiration, except that it only strikes as frequently as being struck by lightning. And while we’re happy that we can escape the infrequent strikes of lightning, we long for inspiration—that magic moment when we’re moved to do something fresh and original, to act.

You probably know how exciting it feels to have an aha moment when a new idea or thought comes to mind, and you feel compelled to do something. But what happens once that moment wears off?

How do you maintain momentum?

If you speak with any professional who appears to have been inspired to produce any lasting body of work, they will tell you that while inspiration might have played a role initially, it wasn’t enough. They had to commit to putting in the work to bring the inspiration to fruition.

Inspiration is the spark that lights the kindling, but the continuous effort is the oxygen that allows the fire to stay alive.

Newton with his apple, Einstein with his beam of light, and the Wright brothers with their flying machines are just a few examples of historical figures that were moved by moments of inspiration. But then spent countless years formulating and birthing their ideas into the world.

I’m not by any means attempting to say that feeling inspired is not a good thing or even something you shouldn’t actively seek out. I’m just letting you know that it’s only the beginning of a potentially long journey.

So, the next time you find yourself struck by inspiration, capture the moment so that you can revisit it and use it as your north star, your why for doing whatever you’ve chosen to do.

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