“This process of covering up the arid loneliness is called inspiration. Inspiration then becomes a mere stimulation, and as with all stimulation, it soon brings its own boredom and insensitivity. So we go from one inspiration, simulation, to another, each bringing its own disappointment and weariness; thus the mind-heart loses its pliability, its sensitivity; the inner capacity of tension is lost through this constant process of stretching and relaxing.”
— J. Krishnamurti
Why do we seek inspiration? According to Krishnamurti, it’s because we’re “empty, uncreative, and lonely” people seeking happiness in outcomes, not in journeys.
Ok, that may be a bit too stringent for most of us. Without inspiration, we would struggle to get off the couch. But inspiration, like romance, is good only in moderation.
Over-reliance on inspiration does more harm than good for three reasons.
First, it doesn’t tell us what to do. Rather, it runs out while we’re conducting extensive research or wondering what to do next. Second, it may make us feel like children on a sugar rush and start something—anything—that we think will work. But when the results don’t match our expectations, we feel devastated. Finally, waiting for inspiration delays the task, to the extent where each time we finally get around to it, we’re as good as starting from scratch.
You would be off relying on something intrinsic (like technique) rather than an external, unpredictable factor like inspiration. “Technique is what we fall back on when we run out of inspiration,” ballet choreographer Rudolf Nureyev said.
Whether you want to start a business, become fitter, or get admission into a university of your choice:
- Write down your goal.
- Ask, “What is the next step I can do to get closer to my goal?”
- Act on it.
- Review the outcome.
- Return to step 2 with a revised action plan.
Stop waiting for inspiration to strike like lightning. Figure out the next step and take it. The path and the destination will reveal themselves.