5 Ways to Get Inspired

by Leigh Ann Napier, iBloom Associate

Life is tough. We are busier than ever these days and it seems like the busier I am, the less I get accomplished! Frustrating would be an understatement. When we get in a rut…doing the same things, day after day, with seemingly little or no progress to show for it, it is easy to feel defeated. When the daily mundane tasks seem to fill up your entire day, it makes it nearly impossible to feel inspired. This kind of living pushes your dreams further and further into the back of your mind.

So what can you do when you can’t seem to break free from muck and mire of your daily to-do list? First thing is to turn off the television, grab a paper and a pen, and then get away from your family, friends, children, even your pets, if they’re sucking the energy right out of you! You may have to stay up later or get up earlier for a day or so. You may have to sacrifice that golden hour when your child is napping. Do whatever you can to get away and refocus!

Here are 5 ways to Get Inspired and take back the joy that’s been leaking out of your life!

1. Have a Vision

What do you want your life to look like? Take time to sit down, with as few distractions as possible, and write down what a perfect day looks like for you. Be as specific as possible. Do you get up with the sun or do you sleep until you wake up on your own without the “help” of an alarm clock? Do you spend the day with family & friends? Or are you doing something you enjoy in solitude? Where do you go? What do you see? Where would you live? Where would you work? List as many details as possible. For this assignment, money is no concern and you have unlimited resources. Just focus on what you would want to do if nothing was holding you back.

Now that you’ve spent time dreaming about your perfect day, list 5 things you can start doing now to make that vision a reality. Was part of your dream spending more time with friends and family? Then figure out how you can make more room for that by cutting out some of your activities. Were you outside during most of your perfect day? What are some ways you can alter your schedule to enjoy the outdoors more? Were you debt-free? What are some budget-busters that you are willing to sacrifice now to accomplish your debt-free dream sooner? It may require selling something, down-sizing your home, doing without cable or eating out for a while. Every day you are making important decisions. You are deciding whether to go toward your vision or move away from it. At the end of the day people do what they want to do. Know what you want the most out of life. Then act like you know what you want!

2. Reward yourself for even small changes/accomplishments

Making life changes takes time and hard work. There is no microwave solution. This is definitely more along the lines of crock-pot progress. So be prepared! Reward yourself for even small behavior changes or successes. Did you fix something to eat at home when every part of your being wanted to call Dominos? That was a shift in your thinking. Recognize it! Did you go for a walk after dinner instead of plopping yourself in front of the TV with a bag of chips? Great! Are your pants instantly looser? No! But they certainly aren’t getting tighter from eating that bag of chips.

Have you ever heard the quote, “It took me 10 years to become an overnight success.”? Well that is often what happens. We see someone who seems to have everything going for them. We see when their plan comes together but we can’t see everything they did leading up to that reward. Keep at it, and someday you too will be that “overnight success!”

“Daily faithful steps in the right direction beat occasional flashes of productivity.” -Dru Scott Decker

3. Spend time with people who are living their dream

Find people who are loving life. Do everything you can to reconnect with people who encourage you. Maybe it is a family member who has always seen your potential, an encouraging sibling, a friend who always has something positive to talk about. Seek them out. Even if you can only manage a 5 minute phone call now and then, make an intentional effort to have positive words poured into your life daily. There are so many encouraging resources available today. Christian radio (K-Love and Air1 are my favorites), radio programs (Contagious, Proverbs 31, Beth Moore to name a few), and TV programs (Joyce Meyer, Funniest Home Videos, Top Inspirational Movies of all time). Make an effort to put good news, encouragement, and positive people into your life. It will make a difference!

4. Cut yourself away from negative Nellies?

Who are you spending time with? Is your spouse a pessimist? That’s a tough one… My husband tends to be more of a “realist” than me. I call him out and challenge him to share 10 blessings that God has given him. He gets aggravated when I do this but then admits later that it does help. Are your friends overly critical? Then quickly change the subject when they are bringing you down…or spend less time with them. Some people just thrive on drama. I personally find that to be emotionally and physically draining. So we either change the line of conversation or I leave. Life is too precious to spend with people who are holding you down with them in their rut!

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
5. Spend time in prayer each day

Last but certainly not least, I challenge you to start your day in prayer and reading God’s Word. He will give you the perspective, the peace, and the wisdom to enter your day inspired. He will give you the words to say to people, the priority level for each daily task, and His Word will give you the truth you need to filter through the messages in your day. There is nothing more encouraging than spending time in the morning with the One who created the Heavens and the Earth. Rejoice and be glad in the day the Lord has given you. What could be more inspiring than that?


About the iBloom:

iBloom is the go-to place for Christian life coaching for women. iBloom exists to inspire, equip, and empower every woman on the planet to live a life of passion, balance, purpose and fulfillment. iBloom is dedicated to helping women live intentionally and ultimately have a significant impact with their lives. To learn more, check out www.ibloom.us.