We search for creative inspiration all the time. Sometimes, the journey is a breeze. Most times however, it’s complicated. Whatever the case, I always find comfort in knowing that there are many people who are doing amazing things. If they could find inspiration for their work, I can too and so can you! Here are some tips for finding, nurturing, and staying inspired.

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Broaden your horizon and cultivate your ability to appreciate. Inspiration is about possibility. We can only see new possibilities when we are able to recognize the intrinsic or relative value of a thing. And in order to recognize value, we need knowledge and experience.

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If you really mean to take inspiration to the next level, being able to express it using relevant concepts is absolutely important! As you do so, you grow your understanding even more. You also build your confidence in your experience, and in the possibility (idea) you perceived in that moment of inspiration.

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Start something! Move beyond passive appreciation. Do something meaningful. It doesn’t have to be complicated. For instance, you can start collecting samples, start blogging or simply start a group.

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Learn to evaluate and assess. The things we appreciate and the ideas they inspire are never fully developed until we are able to evaluate and assess them. This requires a shift in perspective from general appreciation to a more critical and discerning view. This exercise is rewarding in many ways especially because it prepares you to bring your best when you get the opportunity to act on your inspiration.

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Talk to the artist! Most times the thing that captures our imagination was made by someone. Getting to know the person behind the work can be just as rewarding (if not more so) than studying the thing in itself!

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Build on your ideas! Based on your evaluations, figure out what to improve, what to change, & what to enhance.

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Be disciplined. Be consistent. Don’t quit. Your enthusiasm for an idea will wane and might be forgotten if you don’t commit and follow through with action consistently. These guidelines will serve you well only if applied consistently and in a disciplined way.

Remember, the objective of this search for inspiration is to see new possibilities and find ways to make them a reality. Find creative inspiration. Grow it. Preserve it.