How to find inspiration

Inspiration is closely linked to creativity. Inspired people are more self-confident in creative matters and more likely to come up with new ideas. They develop and improve. New ideas move us forward as individuals and as a society. While our economy depends on innovation, people often depend on being (or at least appearing) innovative, inspiring, and creative (at a job interview, first date, etc.) But inspiration doesn’t always come naturally. The following ten tips can serve as catalysts for your inspiration.

Choose the right books. And read a lot.

Fewer and fewer people today spend time reading. While people in India read an average of over 10 hours a week, Germans and Americans read only 5 hours and 42 minutes, with Brit clocking just 5 hours and 18 minutes of reading per week.

The Indian government encourages its citizens to read books, especially in English. In Germany and the US, shallower literature is widely read. Accounting for the majority of book buyers, women consume primarily romance and crime novels, whereas men often read non-fiction and specialist literature, particularly on political, technical, and scientific topics. With a total of 52 books (mainly non-fiction and specialist literature) per year, CEOs are among the top readers.

Valuable fiction offers an understanding of human idiosyncrasies, thereby promoting empathy and open-mindedness. At the same time, it can give us a break from everyday life and combat stress. In fact, readers sleep better and are happier. Reading, especially fiction, can improve vocabulary and slow the cognitive decline of old age. Reading novels can thus enhance creativity and the drive to innovate. Since a myriad of new publications floods the market annually, one should be careful when choosing books. Not every fiction book is of good quality and able to offer these advantages. If in doubt, move from the bestseller lists to the classic literature department. While Tolstoy, Brontë, and Co. worked tirelessly for years to present linguistically and psychologically-thematically mature versions of their work, book-writing often seems to follow other premises today.

Overall, however, one should vary genres when choosing reading material. Non-fiction and specialist books are often more challenging to read and require more attention. This is why reading non-fiction books can develop concentration much better than fiction can. Furthermore, non-fiction books offer knowledge that fiction cannot. Non-fiction and specialist literature can, therefore, augment general knowledge. As a result, readers of non-fiction are often better-educated and make more informed decisions. The advance in knowledge can alter neural networking, promoting intelligence. As a result, readers can draw links and develop creative, new ideas that emerge from a more comprehensive understanding of topics. This improved understanding can, in turn, promote empathy and an open mind, thus improve mental health. Care should also be taken when selecting specialist and non-fiction literature. Not every non-fiction book is worth reading and able to offer these advantages. Therefore, I can only advise you to look away from the bestseller lists and to consciously inform yourself. Books on philosophy, sociology, and psychology offer these advantages by giving the reader tools to analyze themselves and others and deepen their thinking, delving into the subtext instead of just scratching the surface. However, other departments and their literature also offer various advantages, which is why you should ensure at least 20-30% of your reading topics fall outside of your field. This is the only way to create connections and develop ideas that your colleagues do not.

This advantage is even more pronounced if you read in languages other than your own. Your communication skills in a foreign language improve brain performance. While fewer people read books in different languages, foreign-language books can give you insight into another country’s perspectives, enabling you to draw international or even global conclusions to inspire your creativity.

You will find further tips on how to incorporate reading as a habit in your daily routine in the article “How To be a Power Reader.”

Read newspapers and magazines.

According to current studies, op-ed newspaper articles affect readers’ views of society, politics, and experts. Their structure fosters discussion, which promotes learning about important topics. Often written by leading experts, they provide unique insight and well-founded opinions with sound reasoning.

Unfortunately, this assessment does not apply to all newspapers. In some countries, the opinion page is used primarily by journalists from the more prominent newspapers to promote themselves instead of letting experts from other specialist areas give their thoughts. Therefore, you should concentrate mainly on the guest comments in the largest national newspapers.

Be particular critical when reading op-eds because they are opinions. Imagine asking the author questions and clarifying any ambiguities. Take the opportunity to expose yourself to exciting aspects of the topic and look at the problem from a different perspective. Learn to appreciate the opinions of others and to recognize a good argument structure. Take notes (see below).

Reading newspapers is interesting because of their topicality to generate new ideas and inspiration. In some countries, newspaper and magazine articles are increasingly shaped by emotional, opinion-driven journalism that offers few facts. Hence, the previous section about books also applies here. Choose your reading material carefully.

Tabloid magazines offer very little content to come up with ideas and inspiration in a professional context. Instead, they serve as temporary pleasure and distraction. Those who don’t depend on this knowledge for professional reasons should not waste their time and money reading about these soft topics. There are more sensible and purposeful ways to achieve pleasure and distraction.

Choose magazines as carefully as you do newspapers. Specialist journals (also in the field of popular science) within and outside of their subject areas are much more valuable. In addition to numerous academic journals and industry magazines, there are also layman-friendly ones. Choose a wide range. You can only draw links and develop unique ideas if you engage with different topics and areas. Stroll through the station bookstore in a large city and let the wide range on offer inspire you.

Read correctly.

Much can be said about the correct reading technique. I always read with a pencil in my hand and use the Adler method. I summarize notes in the Cornell method or with Devonthink. Whichever way you prefer, you should actively read and make notes. Conduct an internal discourse with the author. Write down important facts and questions about the topic or article. On what do you agree with the author? On what don’t you? And why? How is the reasoning structured? Is it conclusive? How so?

Listen to podcasts.

Listening to podcasts leads to vivid mental images that increase creativity. Podcasts allow you to develop your listening skills and your concentration while learning. The best ones offer fresh perspectives and bring to light issues that have largely been forgotten. This enables new insights, understanding, and ideas. But as with other media, choose programs carefully. In addition to professional podcasts from radio stations (for example, NPR), choose some niche podcasts over the automatic recommendations.

Process information: The note box.

It is crucial not only to consume information passively, but also to engage with it actively. Taking notes while reading and listening is a way to consume actively, but it is not enough. You should also engage with the content after consuming podcasts and books. It is best to transfer your annotations to a note after a short break by using a digital organizational system, such as Evernote or Devonthink.

Watch. Ask questions. Allow questions.

God gave you two ears, but only one mouth. If you watch people, ask them specific questions, and seek conversation, you will learn much more than you would by talking about yourself. Questions enable you to learn what is going on in other people’s minds: what keeps them busy, deprives them of sleep, or brings them joy.

Discuss and debate.

Talk to other people (family, colleagues, or friends) about the issues that concern you. You can also, of course, use social media for this.

Keep a journal.

Keep a journal (physical or virtual) and collect relevant information such as quotes, thoughts, book recommendations, or your own ideas. No matter where you are, you can record everything noteworthy on your smartphone or tablet, or in a book.

Learn to think correctly.

Focus on comparisons and contrasts. Look at exciting connections, other facts, and ideas. Take other positions once. Try to look at a topic or a problem from different perspectives

Structure your thoughts.

Use mind maps to structure your arguments and explore connections, ideas, and potential new topics.

Additional tips:

Vary your daily routine and always try new things. Explore new parts of your city, eat new dishes, and be creative with different ways of exploring and communicating your thoughts. (Book recommendation: The Artist Way by Julia Cameron).

Try not to choose senseless reality TV programs on Netflix. Watch films and series from other cultures or documentaries from time to time.

Follow the right people online. Not everyone who shares their life on Instagram and Co. can inspire you. Sometimes people only inspire for a while, after which the benefits of following them evaporate. Intentionally follow people from other industries, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.