When Inspiration Strikes, Just Go For It
For anyone who needs a little encouragement today
For so long (even before I started writing on Medium) I’d feel inspiration strike, and I’d bookmark it mentally for later — at which point, I’d have talked myself out of whatever idea I’d had and would wind up feeling dejected.
But no more.
This year, when it comes to writing on Medium, I’m going to act on the inspiration that comes to me no matter what. It’s not always going to be practical to act on ideas the very moment they arrive — I do like my sleep after all, and have a full-time job. But I’m vowing to write the idea down and pull the article together as soon as I am possible. And I’m not allowed to talk myself out of it.
Too often we have ideas only to think nah, no one will read that/like that/will be interested in that or no, that’s pretty lame/boring/too niche/not niche enough. (Or is that just me?) But the truth is, we all have a story to tell, we all do have our own unique perspective on even the most broad of topics because no one else in the world has lived our life. No one else has our exact tone of voice or writing style. We all have something to share.
And, while it’s easy to slip into I’m the only one territory, the truth is there’s thousands of people out there who have similar interests to you. And they’re not going to find your work unless you put it out there. It doesn’t mean everyone is going to love every single article you publish, but if it touches the heart of one person, then I consider that a job well done.
I’m coming into the new year with a refreshed outlook on my contribution to Medium. And that is: I’m going to write about whatever I feel like! I’m not going to agonise over whether anyone is going to read it. I’m going to welcome inspiration with open arms and follow it when I can because every time I write is a golden opportunity to improve my skill — which is one of the reasons I joined Medium in the first place.
In her book Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert writes:
Ideas have no material body, but they do have consciousness, and they most certainly have will. Ideas are drive by a single impulse: to be made manifest. And the only way an idea can be made manifest in our world is through collaboration with a human partner. It is only through a human’s efforts that an idea can be escorted out of the ether and into the realm of the actual.
She goes on to talk about ideas swirling around, looking for the right person to take them on board and give them life. And that if you’re too consumed by anxiety or distraction, they’ll pass you by.
Personally I’m hoping that the following things will happen, the more I follow inspiration:
- I’ll find it easier to trust myself and my instincts when it comes to ideas and articles
- Writing won’t seem like such a huge obstacle — something I am desperate to overcome as someone who actually loves writing, loves reading and would love to make a living doing so.
- With all the extra practice I get, freed from the constraints of worrying whether anyone will read, I’ll actually fine tune my craft significantly which will in turn bring me more loyal readers — maybe I’ll even discover my niche in the process!
I’m inspired by the many Medium authors whose work I read every day, and I hope to join their ranks as I progress through my journey this year. I’m really excited to see what is ahead.
This year, let’s all be open to the inspiration out there. Let’s be good hosts to the inspiration magic and bring ideas to life.
Here’s some other works of mine you might like:
