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5 Ways to Fix Your Lack of Inspiration Inspiration is not a destination, it's a journey. It may come and go, but if you stay true to your values, passions, and take care of yourself, you'll be more likely to find it when you need it.

By Joanna Knight Edited by Micah Zimmerman

Key Takeaways

  • To be an effective leader, your focus should be on equipping your people to be the best they can be.

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Inspiration is a powerful force that can give us a sense of purpose, motivation and joy in our lives. However, it's not always easy to find that inspiration, let alone maintain it over time. As business leaders, we have many responsibilities and priorities to juggle, and it can be challenging to stay inspired amidst all the demands placed on us.

That's why living an inspired life is so important. It's about finding purpose and meaning in everything we do, pursuing our goals passionately and enthusiastically, and maintaining a positive outlook even in adversity. By living an inspired life, we can tap into our creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills and achieve great personal and professional success.

If you can live inspired, you can create a life full of purpose, meaning and inspiration and inspire the next generation, too.

Related: 10 Ways to Stay Inspired for Life

1. Focus on your values and passions

As a leader, you should know what you love to do. You should be self-aware enough to know your strengths and weaknesses and what makes you tick. Sometimes, however, everyone needs a gentle reminder to re-discover what you love to do and pursue it with enthusiasm.

A leader's role is to inspire others. To do that, a leader must first be inspired by themselves. You need to be in touch with your values, the principles that guide your decisions and actions, and what you believe in and care about the most. Your values define who you are and how you show up in the world, not just at work but in your personal life as well.

People are at the core of any strategic agenda; they are the driving force behind our business at Moneypenny. To be an effective leader, your focus should be on equipping your people to be the best they can be: empowered, connected, motivated and happy. When your people are thriving, the organization thrives. A good day in the office is one where you are not called upon because your team works seamlessly and efficiently. This is the fruit of your labor as a leader and a testament to the values you embody and the purpose that drives you.

Your values should be the foundation of your purpose and why you do what you do. Your purpose gives you something to work towards, a guiding light that inspires you to keep going even when things get tough. So, take the time to define your values and purpose and revisit them often to ensure you stay true to yourself and your vision. Remember, you have the power to inspire as a leader, so lead with your values and inspire others to do the same.

2. Take care of your physical and mental health

Life is more than just work. As leaders, we tend to focus on our team's well-being, but taking some time out for ourselves is crucial. It's not egotistical or selfish; it's about practicing what we preach.

So, set those boundaries and strike that balance between work and leisure so we can recharge our batteries and nurture those lightbulb moments.

Life is within our circle of influence, and it's our responsibility to make it work. As leaders, we must set an example for our team and prioritize our well-being to maintain a healthy work-life balance, enabling us to live a more inspired and fulfilling life.

Related: 4 Unique Ways to Inspire Workers

3. Stay open to new experiences

Every time we try something new, we open ourselves up to a range of emotions and experiences. As the world continues to change, we must strive to keep moving forward and learning. Every day presents us with a new opportunity to learn and grow, and this is what inspires us to be the best version of ourselves.

It's easy to become complacent after achieving success or receiving recognition, but it's important to remain curious and open-minded to continue growing and staying motivated. We can explore new ideas, challenge our assumptions, and gain new perspectives by keeping an open mind.

If you ever feel yourself struggling to stay motivated, it's important to create your own inspiration coaching. This could involve attending networking events, reaching out to clients, taking up a new hobby, traveling or reading a book, for example. The key is to find something that works for you and feels natural. We can gain insights and ideas that contribute to our personal and professional growth by continuously seeking new information and different perspectives.

4. Surround yourself with people who inspire and encourage you to be your best self.

The diversity of people and their unique backgrounds, experiences and mindsets is always a fascinating subject to explore. As a leader, it's important to recognize the immense value that every individual brings to your organization and to listen to them actively.

Although you may have a trusted management team, it's easy to fall into the habit of only engaging with the same people about the same topics. However, the sum of your team's perspectives is far greater than any individual perspective. Therefore, it's essential to make it a goal to seek out new members of your tribe, those who do things differently, and ask them questions. Doing so gives you a fresh perspective that can help you make better decisions.

Furthermore, you should also nurture your close relationships with your trusted circle. These individuals are those with whom you can have a candid conversation. They are your trusted confidants who support you and challenge you to be accountable for your actions. They are the people who help you stay focused on your goals and remind you of your capabilities. By maintaining these relationships, you can create a strong support network to help you succeed personally and professionally.

5. Spread the inspiration

Living inspired inspires others. It's one of those things, like kindness, that spreads out into the world with every act.

That sudden burst of inspiration and creativity doesn't happen by accident; and it's a result of a constant flow that is stimulated and energized by all the things you do, whether you're aware of it or not. Feeding it with a little love and care allows you to live an inspired life, be open to new ideas, embrace challenges, and be authentic and empathetic. And by embodying these qualities, you can create a culture of creativity, innovation, and positivity that will inspire others to do the same.

Inspiration is not a destination; it's a journey. It may come and go, but if you stay true to your values and passions and take care of yourself, you'll be more likely to find it when you need it.

Joanna Knight

Group CEO of Moneypenny

Joanna Knight is the CEO of Moneypenny and VoiceNation, the leading virtual receptionist and phone answering providers. Knight is a regular contributor and speaker on key topics, including digital transformation, workplace culture, leadership and international growth.

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