The state of the corporate world right now is one of uncertainty and upheaval. Employees are facing a range of challenges, from maintaining work-life balance to dealing with financial stress in what seems like a "will they won't they" moment with recession news running rampant. As we navigate through these challenges, it's important for companies — especially — to prioritize the well-being of their people and provide support and resources to help get through these difficult times. Now is the time to lean in and uplift your people. Easier said than done, we know, but with the right support everyone can move toward their goals, and succeed in the long run.

In this blog, we're going to explore what inspires us as human beings, the importance of inspiration and then we'll share some powerful quotes that have gotten even our own team here at ARC through some of our most jaded moments.

What is Inspiration?

It's our inner voice that tells us to keep going, even when the going gets tough. It's that feeling of enthusiasm, creativity, and motivation that comes from within. And it can come from so many places — think of your favorite piece of art, that song that gets you through that last lap, your village that keeps you laughing and warm when the world is at its coldest. It's that feeling of being inspired that drives us to pursue happiness and make it concrete and long-lasting.

As one of those powerful forces that pushes us, it can be devastating when it's been snuffed out or drained down to empty. It's that spark of motivation that ignites our passions and fuels our creativity. Without it, life feels dull and monotonous, and we may struggle to find the motivation to pursue, well, anything really. 

How to Find Inspiration in Your Everyday Life

Not surprising that inspiration is also essential for our mental and emotional well-being.

• According to the Harvard Business Review, people who enter an inspired state report greater levels of spirituality and meaning compared to those in an enthusiastic and excited state.
• Another study by the National Library of Medicine found that inspiration is associated with greater creativity and problem-solving ability.
• Lastly, the American Psychological Association's research has shown that spending time in nature can act as a balm for our busy brains and have cognitive benefits, which can lead to a greater sense of inspiration.

Everything we've studied and found shows that inspiration helps us overcome challenges, boosts our self-esteem, and improve our overall quality of life. So what are some easy ways to level it up again when it's running low?

Here are some examples where you can find inspiration in your everyday life, and especially when you need it most.

• Nature: Take a walk in a local park, go for a hike on a new trail, or simply spend some time relaxing in your own backyard. The beauty of nature is probably the most potent source of inspiration.
• Art: Visit a museum you've never been to before, attend a new exhibit, or browse through art books in a bookstore. Let art open up your creativity and ignite new ideas.
• Music: Listen to your favorite music or try listening to a new genre. Music is an easy win for starting up your motivation and boosting your emotional well-being.
• People: Surround yourself with positive people. Talk to them, listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences — and of course share your own.
• Books: Read books that lift your spirit or challenge your way of thinking. Get a new poetry book, fantasy novel, non-fiction story, etc. if you're looking to inspire personal growth.
• Travel: Explore new places, cultures and people. Traveling is one of the ultimate ways you can bring out your creativity with new experiences.
• Exercise: Engage in physical activities that you enjoy. Try kickboxing, capoeira, Tai Chi, a new gym or group that gets together for organized sports. All of this will help boost your mental health and emotional well-being. 
• Meditation: Take time to meditate and reflect. Meditation will you provide clarity of mind and inner peace.

If you want to be inspired, then you have to open yourself up to the world around you. Look for opportunities for inspiration in everything that surrounds you. If your job isn't inspiring, then maybe it's time to find a new one. If your relationships aren't inspiring, then maybe it's time to make some changes. Remember, inspiration is all around us. It's up to us to take the time to notice it and use it to achieve our aspirations.

10 Inspirational Quotes for the Jaded Professional

Now the moment you've been waiting for; here are 10 powerful quotes that will have sparked some of our own team members as they navigated through the various not-so-great seasons in their own journeys. 

1. "I have a lot of things to prove to myself. One is that I can live my life fearlessly." — Oprah Winfrey

    

2. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." — James Baldwin

    

3. "I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship." - Louisa May Alcott

    

4. "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." — Alice Walker

    

5. “If you’re not positive energy, you’re negative energy.” Mark Cuban

    

6. “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” — William James

    

7. "Don't let yesterday take up too much of today." — Will Rogers

    

8. "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

    

9. "To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing." — Bell Hooks

    

10. “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.” ― Martha Graham

     

Inspiration is a Vital Force

It sparks us. It drives us. It revives us.

If you're feeling jaded because of a career stall or like you're not sure what the next move is, (but you know it's not where you're currently at) our team is here for you. We want to help you find your way back to the person you know you can be. We want to help you get unstuck and moving forward again. You are not alone in this journey and we're here for support when you need it most.