Give Inspiration the Royal Treatment
Have you ever had an inspiration? An A-HA moment? A flash of
insight? We all have! It’s that delicious split second where a solution
to a problem pops into your mind and breaks through unannounced. It
happens quickly, so capture it! Hold on to your creative flashes! They
are invaluable for making great decisions and finding creative
solutions to problems. Welcome them like the royalty they are!
Eureka moments have been talked about since Ancient Greece. Today,
scientists study “insight” using powerful brain imaging technology to
help unravel the mystery behind the “flash of inspiration”. Studies by
cognitive neuroscience researchers show that insight based problem
solving associated with A-HA moments involve different patterns of
activity in different parts of the brain from methodical problem
solving. Insight type brain activity linked to creativity and intuition
is associated with the right temporal lobe of the brain and logical,
linear thinking in the visual cortex toward the back of the brain. The
“flash” frequently described with inspiration is the previously quiet
part of the brain suddenly lighting up when the solution comes into
focus.
An inspiration is a noteworthy event. It should be ACKNOWLEDGED,
WELCOMED and APPRECIATED. It’s a victory that can be fleeting if you
don’t pay attention. The immediate post-inspiration response is
important. Capture it and it’s yours. Disregard it and it slips away. I
roll out the red carpet to inspirations. They are too important to let
go unnoticed.
Here’s a ROYAL RED CARPET CAPTURE PLAN when inspiration hits. It’s simple and effective.
2. Stay open. No need to judge, analyze or question it at this stage.
3. Act on the inspiration immediately, if you can or at least write it down.
I keep pen and paper on the nightstand next to my bed in anticipation of inspirations! I get some of my best ideas first thing in the morning. What about you? When does inspiration strike YOU?
TAKE AWAY MESSAGE
Whatever your capture techniques, keeping the inspiration in your immediate awareness keeps the thought ACTIVATED and prevents it from being quickly forgotten or squelched by negative thinking. I’ve learned to trust my inspirations and act on them. You are in charge and get to set an approach that works for you.
The most important tip is to REMEMBER the inspiration! They often arrive when we are relaxed, distracted from the problem and in a good frame of mind. It’s easy to let the breakthrough thought slip away. Don’t stress over this. Even the simple desire to remember the inspiration makes it more likely that you will.
Inspiration is energizing and happens during positive states of mind. There are many BONUSES to following your inspirations! The more you acknowledge, trust and expect inspirations the more often you will experience and capture them when they occur. The process is FUN, FREE and WORTHWHILE. Get happy and have more great ideas! What a deal!
FUN and EASY FOLLOW UP
If you want to open up more to your own creative flashes try this technique to increase inspiring ideas and be ready to capture the inspirations when they hit (and they will!) Try this surprising exercise.
Part A. Complete this thought by filling in the blank.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a creative insight about ……… ?
Part B. This gentle question softens doubt and powerfully sets the stage for inspiration. Let your mind do the heavy lifting to get insight on the answer to your question. EXPECT inspiration. RELAX about the problem. SHIFT GEARS into solution mode by doing something else and let the inspiration flow!
Try the INSPIRATION CAPTURE exercise this week. Write down your questions from PART A then forget about them. Relax and let the inspiring thoughts and creative flashes come to you and capture them with your ROYAL RED CARPET INSPIRATION CAPTURE PLAN.
Inspiration is like the perfect gift that is beautifully wrapped, tied with a ribbon, ready to open and enjoy! Give inspiration the royal treatment and be confident that more will come your way! Have fun with the process and enjoy your inspirations!
About the Author: DIANNA DERHAK, JD, MBA is an international development professional, founder of DNA International Consultancy, a humanitarian and former trial attorney. Ms. Derhak developed Breakthrough Thinking Techniques Leadership Programs and authors a blog on Breakthrough Thinking. http://BreakthroughThinking.info