Inspiration is not the same as motivation. Don’t get it twisted. And if you’re waiting on inspiration to ignite your motivation every time, honey, you’re never gonna get it done!

Ok, so I’m a super impulsive person and also a super over-thinker. Historically speaking, any time I’d get an impulse, idea or inspiration to do something new, I’d mull it over and over and ask a thousand people what they think, and then weigh myself down with buts and what ifs until the feeling to act had passed along with my motivation. Tell me this hasn’t happened to you, and I’ll tell you you’re lying.

The thing about inspiration is that it comes and goes. Same with motivation. In the past, I’ve found myself knowing I need to do something, but just not being “in the mood” or not being ready. Well, creating and developing the Emporium on evenings and weekends while working full time, maintaining a social life, exercising, volunteering and generally just living, has left me with LITTLE time to muster up inspiration or even motivation when I just can’t even. Often, I’ll have just 30 minutes to knock something out, and I literally just have to set a timer on my phone and power through it, or my ADD brain will take over with something stupid like triangle folding my underwear drawer.

I’ve had to force myself to just DO and not think, and PEOPLE!!! WHAT A REVELATION. I’ve found that once I start taking action, even if I just get myself to put in 5 minutes of creative work, has lead me to accomplish more than I believed possible! It’s seriously like dragging yourself to the gym when you’re tired. Once you’re there, it’s usually fine, although I have pulled into the parking lot and just left a time or two….But even if it’s not a great workout, you’re still proud you showed up. Starting something you’ve been waiting to be “inspired” to do is just like that.

I wanted to talk about this because since I’ve started down this creative road, people tell me about the creative endeavors they’d like to take on, and many say things like, “I wanna try this,” or “I wish I could do that,” and then they follow it with all the reasons they’re waiting or haven’t started yet. And I get it!! Sometimes those things just truly aren’t enough of a priority to get started, and that’s totally ok! Don’t feel bad about it, sis! But if you’re serious about jumping in to something you’ve been putting off, I’m here to tell you, there will ALWAYS be an excuse or reason not to do it.

I’m living proof that you can become the person who says “I am doing” vs. “I want to do.” I’m the laziest, most convenience-oriented procrastinator I know, but I’ve learned quickly that just DOING immediately takes the edge off the thing we think is so huge. And most of the time, I’m neither inspired nor motivated when I begin to work, but just the act of starting gets my brain warmed up and firing, and before I know it, I’m totally inspired and so motivated that I can’t stop working, even when my allotted time is up!

So if you’re waiting for your next inspired idea or the next wave of motivation to hit, I’m telling you, just START. Just DO something in the general direction of where you’re aiming to go, and I promise you’ll surprise yourself. By the way, watching Youtube videos of other people doing that thing DOES NOT COUNT. I see you, boo. Go DO IT.

Have a great week 🙂