What are your sources of inspiration?

Becoming a master is a growth-process, enduring on this level is an art! In our book ‘Meesterschap’ we discuss the 5 secrets of ‘the master’. Secret number 1: a life full of inspiration! In regard to that: next to the phenomenon ‘burnout’, there exists something like the ‘creatieve burnout’…

 

In such a case, there is a professional or even a master, who is working hard, and who is well recognized by his colleagues. And often he might be really great at his profession. But!! He is somehow not creating anything new. His professional life is becoming a mere repetition. It is all just a bit more of the same old thing. And, although the ‘world’ does not really see it yet, the person in question has slowly but surely recognized it himself. A growing shallowness. A lack of inspiration.

Such a ‘creative burnout’ often occurs similarly like a ‘normal burnout’. Phase 1=hyperactivity. The person in question is performing on a high level, but he is neglecting essential ‘rest’. Rest is simply vital for your spirit, soul and body. However, this goes well for some time. But during such a hyperactive phase your ‘creative candle’ is burning from both sides, and when the phase endures for too long, your candle will very suddenly be ‘burnt out’. What remains is your professionalism, and routine. Which might even carry you along for some more years. Only, you will be missing any intrinsic motivation. A motivation that you get whenever you are developing new elements within your professionalism – something that is nearly impossible without any inspiration.

The old Benedict of Nursia (c.480–547), the founder of the Benedict Order, which has laid important roots for our modern Europe throughout many countries, had one basic rule for his monks: Obedientia= the art of listening, with your head, heart and body. To stay inspired it is in our opinion quite vital to be really able to ‘listen’.

This listening is done in 4 steps:

1.   Stop

2.   Outside

3.   Quiet

4.   Listen

Listening starts with the art of ‘stopping’. If you never stop in-between you busy life, you will be less and less able to truly listen. So, try to stop 2 or 3 times every day (and for at least 10 minutes – otherwise it is rather pointless). Take a walk. Listen to some Bach or Hayden. Take a 15 minute break. Drink some coffee, and really enjoy it! Obedientia starts with taking a short break from your daily activities every now and then. And in regard to this stopping, it is not meant to stop – after you are finished, that is merely the ordinary stopping after your done. So, install little stops... not just to refuel energy, but to charge your inspiration!