Pablo Picasso once said “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Despite the unquestionable talent of the artist, he knew that his masterpieces would only arise if he dedicated enough time to painting.

[sws_picture_frame17 src=”http://clearconceptinc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/picasso_petit_fleurs.jpg” title=”” alt=”” align=”sws_frame_right” lightbox=”” album=”album” video=””] [/sws_picture_frame17] We all tackle our own versions of masterpieces in our jobs. It may look like a new product launch or an organizational re-design. But these can entail many of the same characteristics as a masterpiece. They are large projects, requiring a great degree of creativity and inspiration.

Sometimes we find that we just can’t seem to get started on our masterpieces. Call it procrastination. Call it being busy with other things. Or call it a lack of inspiration.

This leads to the modern-day version of the chicken and egg. What comes first – the inspiration or the work? We often think that we need to be inspired before we can start a big creative task. But this approach can lead to extensive delays (especially if we are distracted with countless other tasks).

Instead, I recommend making time for the work, and trusting that the inspiration will come along for the ride. The more regularly we work on something, the more inspiration seems to show up.

The later approach is gaining widespread support. I recently took a terrific writing course by Meggin McIntosh and Gini Cunningham (http://thirtyarticlesinjustthirtydays.com/) where they talked about how to write more.  Their formula hinged on consistently dedicating 30 minutes a day to writing.

I often talk about making time for our key priorities. I love that Picasso (one of my favourite artists) reminds us we also have to make time for inspiration.

Stay tuned for my next blog where I’ll talk about clearing your backlog.

Thanks for your time,

Ann

P.S. Just in case you like quotes, here are a few more related ones:

Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while one is working. (Henri Matisse)

The great composer does not set to work because he is inspired, but becomes inspired because he is working. Beethoven, Wagner, Bach, and Mozart settled down day after day to the job in hand. They didn’t waste time waiting for inspiration. (Ernest Newman)

If people knew how hard I worked to achieve my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful after all. (Michelangelo)

When inspiration doesn’t come, I go halfway to meet it. (Sigmund Freud)

I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp. (W. Somerset Maugham)