Inspiration is everywhere

We often have more control over or work environment that we typically think. When we go to work, we meet people and find ourselves in situations or places that we would never have thought possible or that without our work it would be almost impossible for us to experience such things. It might be that we have a coffee with a colleague that has a certain point of view we would have never thought possible or that the products or services our company offers opens our minds or the design of our office fills us with awe and wonder, or at a training or workshop we get new insights and grow a little bit, or we might listen to the CEO of the company give a talk to all her employees about a strategy to follow and get amazed about how her mind works and so on. The examples are as vast as the individual’s experience of work itself.  We therefore, often overlook the important role of inspiration and the possibilities that are offered to us at the workplace. Inspiration is sometimes overlooked because of its elusive and subjective nature but research has shown that inspiration can be activated, captured and manipulated and it has major effects on work and life outcomes. This is why #Inspiration is one of the 10 factors that constitute the Emotional Salary Barometer.  

While we can’t force ourselves to be inspired automatically, we can create an environment and create situations that will lead us to get inspired. Here is what works for our team and what we’ve seen works for others.

-       Be curious. When we do different things, we feel different things. Any move, question, sight, colour, shape, form, visit, point of view, information, etc., will lead us to view different possibilities that will enable us to go beyond ourselves and connect ourselves with a sense of possibility, which will direct our energy towards the best possible work, while aspiring towards our ideals.

-       Be aware. Nothing happens unless you are aware of it. We so frequently take everything we have for granted that we very often become unaware of everything that surrounds us- no matter how small.  

-       Say yes to possibilities. Whatever we do will affect our energy and or mood. Instead of being cynical and develop a deserving attitude towards everything that surrounds you, get out and say yes. Make a concerted effort to find possibilities where no one else has thought about them, allow yourself to learn vicariously, listen to experiences from others, admire the qualities of the people that surround you. Observe and absorb.

Be inspired and have an intention to inspire others at work. So be an inspiration – pass it forward, share your vision, ideas, insights, You never know the power you have to influence others.