The Context
This experience of existential distress touches us all. These mini identity crises are more common than we realize. We all have those boundary moments when our motivation for doing something is, quite simply, just to feel normal again. Even if only for a short while. And if that means going for a run at dawn when it’s dark and there’s nobody in the world but you and the stars, so be it. Who will guard the guards? What’s interesting is, we all have our own version of this question. And for leaders and creators and communicators, the one that weighs us down is usually, how do I stay inspired when my job is to inspire others?
The Tool
Recalibration
The practice of inspiring and reinspiring yourself based on each of your unique preferences and passions and predispositions.
Fortunately, there are unlimited techniques and practices and rituals for doing so. The experience of inspiring and reinspiring yourself is based on each of your unique preferences and passions and predispositions. Find and pull your triggers for joy. Do you have a personal haven that gives you sustenance from the act itself and puts you back together? Find a filter to process your experiences. Do you have a familiar place you go when you’re feeling scared or anxious or confused or overwhelmed and need to make sense of the world? Gives you cognitive richness and psychic nourishment? Find a sanctuary of aliveness. Do you have a sacred practice in a space of beauty that brings some measure of coherence back to your life? Find an existential anchor. Do you have a portable, purposeful and private sanctuary that brings you back to center to reconnect with the self, the body, the spirit and the heart? Find a way to reconnect to your original joy. Do you have a way to keep kindling handy, to keep up your original enthusiasm and relive the impulse that initially fueled your artistic energy reserve? Find a mini sabbatical. Do you have the ability to leave the creative land alone by creating mini sabbaticals from your artistic land alone and rejuvenating yourself?
Scott's Take
After a certain amount of time and speed and space and pressure, I start to lose touch with my identity. I get stuck in a system of other people’s expectations and agendas that puts me at odds with myself. And all of the sudden I realize, oh crap, if I don’t find a way to get back to normal, to exist in a manner that makes sense to me, I’m going to freak out. And it’s not just me, either. I once read an interview about Jerry Seinfeld’s writing process. He said that if he can’t tinker, he grows anxious. That if he can’t create and arrange his ideas around the world’s messy confusions and trivial irritants, life isn’t fun for him.
The Rest
You recalibrate the soul. You carve a path back to yourself. You create systems to summon those innovation juices when you need them most. Because fresh ideas demand fresh fuel.
The Benefits
Regain more intellectual sustenance
Process your experiences effectively
Bring measure of coherence to chaos
Existentially anchor yourself back to life