{"id":1068,"date":"2021-08-12T18:42:39","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T22:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/?p=1068"},"modified":"2022-07-05T14:55:14","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T18:55:14","slug":"motivation-vs-inspiration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/motivation-vs-inspiration\/","title":{"rendered":"Motivation vs Inspiration: 11 Easy Ways to Tell Them Apart"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Motivation can be a fickle thing. Sometimes it\u2019s there; sometimes it\u2019s not. Motivation is at the heart of your greatest accomplishments \u2014 but so is your inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When I was in high school, I was addicted to reading inspirational quotes. I would scour the Internet for them and pin them to my wall. The problem was that I was getting so much inspiration that I didn&#8217;t have time to make it happen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, while inspiration is a good thing to have, it is in a completely different ballgame than motivation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Motivation vs inspiration? There&#8217;s a deeper meaning between these two concepts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The question is: how do you even tell the difference between them?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But first, let&#8217;s take a look at the most common definition of motivation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/traits-of-a-shallow-person\/\">6 Traits of a Shallow Person &amp; How You Can Deal with One<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset\/\">Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset: Your Questions Answered<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/how-to-have-a-productive-day\/\">How to Have a Productive Day: 18 Tips to Help You Make the Most of Your Day<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>What is Motivation?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1085\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation.png\" alt=\"what is motivation\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, when I say &#8220;motivation,&#8221; I&#8217;m talking about something that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/positivepsychology.com\/motivation-human-behavior\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drives us forward<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> towards achieving goals or reaching milestones. These goals could be anything from getting up early every morning, to finishing an important project at work, or learning new skills like coding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, having motivation matters because without it, we won&#8217;t have the drive to face the obstacles that hinder us from reaching our goals. Without motivation, we&#8217;ll never reach our full potential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think back to high school. Did you ever wonder how intelligent people ended up failing their classes? Or how someone who was athletic became overweight?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer is simple: they likely lacked motivation and didn&#8217;t want to put forth the effort required to excel.\\<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>What is Inspiration?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1082\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration.png\" alt=\"what is inspiration\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration is different than motivation. While both are necessary for varying levels of success, they serve very different purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we&#8217;re inspired, we <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/the-nuances-of-happiness-emotions-beyond-happiness-1717543\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experience feelings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of happiness, excitement, and joy. These emotions motivate us to take action on whatever goal we set out to achieve. They help us overcome obstacles and push through challenges. And they make all those challenging tasks seem worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I know you\u2019re asking: but what if we don&#8217;t have any inspiration? What happens then?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the flip side, when we lack inspiration, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2011\/11\/why-inspiration-matters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we often struggle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with anxiety, stress, and burnout. Our brains release less feel-good hormones that could potentially affect our performance over time. If this continues for a while, we then become unmotivated and uninspired to take action.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These negative feelings could then lead us to failure if we do not confront them early enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Similarities of Inspiration and Motivation<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1079\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration.png\" alt=\"motivation vs inspiration\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration and motivation share some similarities. One common denominator is that they are both powerful forces that have the potential to push you forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration is the force that encourages you to achieve your goals. On the other hand, motivation gives you the energy to accomplish those goals. It&#8217;s a force that helps you overcome obstacles and push yourself further.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to get motivated to achieve your goals on a personal level or even for professional development, think about what you&#8217;re passionate about. If you&#8217;re passionate about something, you&#8217;ll find extra motivation to keep moving toward your goal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Motivation vs Inspiration: The Key Differences<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that we know what each one does, here&#8217;s where the key differences lie. Let&#8217;s look at them in more detail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>1) Inspiration without motivation is like having an idea but not executing it.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1080\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-difference-between-motivation-and-inspiration.png\" alt=\"what is difference between motivation and inspiration\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-difference-between-motivation-and-inspiration.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-difference-between-motivation-and-inspiration-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-difference-between-motivation-and-inspiration-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-difference-between-motivation-and-inspiration-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration generally happens when an individual <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/peopledevelopmentmagazine.com\/2016\/10\/02\/3-tell-tale-signs-inspired\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experiences<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> something that makes them want to change their outlook in life or behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Motivation is usually a byproduct of inspiration. Often, it involves changing habits, attitudes, or beliefs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, a person may feel inspired to join a gym, but they will need to motivate themselves to actually go to the gym.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simply put: inspiration is the state of being inspired; motivation is the process or action of being inspired.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>2) You may have both motivation &amp; inspiration at once.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You probably know by now that it takes more than an inspiration for a person to take action. Most of the time, they need the motivation to do so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That&#8217;s why having both motivation and inspiration is the best way to ensure success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3) Motivation is more important than inspiration.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1075\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration.png\" alt=\"difference motivation and inspiration\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration alone isn&#8217;t enough to help you move forward, but motivation can.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about it: no amount of inspiration can compensate for lack of motivation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And get this: inspiration doesn&#8217;t last forever. When you get bored, you stop feeling inspired.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is why motivation is important\u2014it helps keep you going even after you&#8217;ve lost interest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4) Inspiration is the light. Motivation is the fire.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1076\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/focus-on-motivation-vs-inspiration.png\" alt=\"focus on motivation vs inspiration\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/focus-on-motivation-vs-inspiration.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/focus-on-motivation-vs-inspiration-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/focus-on-motivation-vs-inspiration-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/focus-on-motivation-vs-inspiration-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration is like a beacon guiding you towards your goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Motivation, on the other hand, is the fire that moves us to action. It cultivates the spark of inspiration into a flame so you can finally act on your goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Motivation drives your need to achieve and to make a difference. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-to-do-when-you-have-no-motivation-4796954#:~:text=Until%20you%20address%20this%20need,feel%20better%20and%20perform%20better.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The absence of motivation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will prevent you from reaching anything of value, merely allowing you to survive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5) Motivation is short-term; inspiration can be long-term.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Motivation varies in its effects. Motivation can make you do something in the short term. For example, you might be motivated to work out, but you won&#8217;t necessarily stick to it long-term.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration is different because it can last you a long time. You&#8217;re inspired to work out because you know you&#8217;ll feel good, get into shape, and be healthy in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may need motivation in the short term to get you started, but ultimately, inspiration is like a booster so that you will be more successful in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>6) Motivation is internal; inspiration is external.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1074\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration-2.png\" alt=\"difference motivation and inspiration (2)\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration-2.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration-2-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration-2-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/difference-motivation-and-inspiration-2-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Motivation is internal, but inspiration is the opposite.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Motivation comes through self-discipline and dedication to your goals. In comparison, inspiration often comes from watching others succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7) Motivation comes from good habits.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we think of motivation, most of us think of doing things because we want to. We have our reasons for wanting to do them. But when we talk about inspiration, we usually mean being influenced by someone else who does those same actions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, my friends, who regularly work out are an inspiration for me. But that feeling alone is not enough to drive me into action and start exercising. I need to build and reinforce my motivation by starting with good habits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>8) Motivation could be based on fear. Inspiration isn&#8217;t.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1073\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-motivation-and-inspiration-the-same.png\" alt=\"are motivation and inspiration the same\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-motivation-and-inspiration-the-same.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-motivation-and-inspiration-the-same-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-motivation-and-inspiration-the-same-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-motivation-and-inspiration-the-same-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fear motivates people to act. Fear makes us afraid of losing money, relationships, jobs, etc., which leads us to try harder to avoid these situations. This is how we motivate ourselves to do better at school, work, sports, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But inspiration is entirely unrelated to fear. Inspiration often comes when we see someone else achieve their dreams. Seeing someone overcome obstacles inspires us to follow suit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>9) Inspiration can give you a boost of motivation.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you see someone succeeding, then you may become inspired to pursue similar success yourself. However, if you\u2019re not determined to take any action, you won\u2019t be able to accomplish much.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, while inspiration gives you a push toward achieving your goal, motivation helps you stay focused once you&#8217;ve decided upon one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>10) When you inspire someone, you change them forever.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1078\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation.png\" alt=\"is inspiration the same as motivation\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ve probably heard stories of famous athletes, musicians, actors, writers, artists, politicians, business leaders, etc., who were once considered failures before achieving fame and fortune. They didn&#8217;t always seem destined for great things until they found inspiration somewhere along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This kind of inspiration changes everything. No wonder: once you find the right inspiration and act on it, you never look back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>11) Inspiration can give you a boost of motivation.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll never know how difficult something is until you attempt to do it. That&#8217;s why a little inspiration every now and then is good for the soul.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A wise man once said, &#8220;When the going gets tough, the tough get going!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes all you need is a little boost of motivation to get you started. It could be the desire to get out of bed in the morning or just the motivation to finish your report.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Either way, you can always get a good boost of motivation with a bit of inspiration from the people you admire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Boost Inspiration and Motivation<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration and motivation often get lost in the shuffle. It&#8217;s easy to think that we&#8217;re motivated enough. But sometimes, we need to be reminded of the reasons why we want to achieve specific goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to motivation, there&#8217;s no magic formula that works 100% of the time. Here are 12 ways you can do so you can find inspiration and motivation:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Write down your why.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1084\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-psychology.png\" alt=\"what is motivation psychology\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-psychology.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-psychology-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-psychology-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-psychology-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you find yourself struggling to stay motivated, ask yourself why you want to achieve your goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why does it matter?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are you willing to put in the effort?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What will happen when you succeed?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your answers to these questions will help clarify what is most important to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Find inspiration by looking for inspiration.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask yourself: who has achieved more than you ever thought possible? How did they accomplish such feats?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might even consider reading biographies about successful individuals. This way, you can learn from others&#8217; mistakes as well as successes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Get some perspective.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1083\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-meaning.png\" alt=\"what is motivation meaning\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-meaning.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-meaning-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-meaning-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-motivation-meaning-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you feel like giving up on your dream because you feel like you haven\u2019t accomplished anything yet?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re not alone. Everyone struggles in some way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is why it is important to view things from various perspectives. By doing so, you can gain better insight into how you can achieve your goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Think long-term instead of short-term.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration and motivation aren\u2019t always the easiest things to come by. So if you\u2019re struggling to find inspiration, try thinking about the bigger picture. Instead of focusing on the small tasks at hand, think about the result.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you have an exam next week, don&#8217;t focus only on studying for that test. Instead, try thinking about how you&#8217;d use those skills later on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine yourself achieving your goals and living a life full of happiness and success. That should give you enough motivation to get started on your day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/negative-effects-of-social-media-on-creativity\/\">REVEALING The 9 Negative Effects Of Social Media On Creativity<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/how-to-reach-your-peak-performance\/\">How to Reach Your Peak Performance and Fuel Your Success<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/eisenhower-matrix-pros-and-cons\/\">The Eisenhower Matrix Pros and Cons, and Everything Else You Need to Know (includes a Printable Template!)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Remember where you came from.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1081\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration-means.png\" alt=\"what is inspiration means\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration-means.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration-means-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration-means-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/what-is-inspiration-means-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about the obstacles you had to overcome to get to where you are right now. Remind yourself of these challenges and use them as motivation to keep moving forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking the time to remember where you came from can also help you to appreciate the contributions made by those who came before you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Get feedback.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned in life, it\u2019s that there\u2019s usually someone who has done it better than you already. It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s your parents or siblings, friends, grandparents, or even celebrities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The point is that there\u2019s always someone out there who has been there before you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting honest feedback and advice from these people can be motivating and inspirational. And if you&#8217;re lucky, you might discover the answers to your most pressing questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. <\/b><b>Make time for inspiration.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1077\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation-2.png\" alt=\"is inspiration the same as motivation (2)\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation-2.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation-2-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation-2-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-inspiration-the-same-as-motivation-2-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration and motivation are two of the biggest challenges facing creative people. They\u2019re at the heart of every project, and they often drive us to create the best work possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But when we\u2019re feeling low on energy or inspiration, it\u2019s hard to keep working on projects. The problem is there aren\u2019t many proven ways to boost these feelings except for you to make time for inspiration to find you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you do this? Simple.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a walk, read a book, take a class, or watch a film.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspiration comes when you&#8217;re feeling relaxed and happy. When you force yourself into stressful situations, you won\u2019t experience much inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Keep your goals visible.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you set goals, you&#8217;re setting yourself up for success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But sometimes, goals get lost in the shuffle. They become buried under other priorities. Or, they become so vague that they aren&#8217;t even worth pursuing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why it&#8217;s much easier to achieve those goals if you can see them clearly and easily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you write down your goals, post them somewhere visible, or put sticky notes around your house with reminders like \u201cgoals achieved!\u201d, you\u2019ll feel more motivated to continue pushing toward your goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Don\u2019t let negativity ruin your day.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1088\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-inspiration-matters.png\" alt=\"why inspiration matters\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-inspiration-matters.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-inspiration-matters-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-inspiration-matters-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-inspiration-matters-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Negative thoughts can ruin your day. They could break your motivation and prevent you from seeking inspiration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you feel like you\u2019re drowning in negative thoughts, try to divert your mind to happier ones. Go to your happy place. Imagine how you would feel when you finally reach your goals. Focus on what you&#8217;ve accomplished rather than what you haven&#8217;t.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to think of more positive thoughts by letting your imagination soar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do all these, but don\u2019t forget to assess where you\u2019ve gone wrong and what you can do to make things better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>10. Find inspiration everywhere.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We live in an age where inspiration has become a buzzword. Is it something that everyone should chase after?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. Not really.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You see, inspiration can be everywhere &#8211; only if we open our eyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The truth is, there are so many ways to find inspiration. A simple walk in the park will sometimes give you lots of inspiration. Sometimes it happens when you\u2019re reading a book.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even a casual conversation with a neighbor might do the trick.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The point is, try to open your eyes to more sources of inspiration. Who knows what you\u2019ll come up with!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>11. Do things that make you happy.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1089\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-motivation-matters.png\" alt=\"why motivation matters\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-motivation-matters.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-motivation-matters-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-motivation-matters-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/why-motivation-matters-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to get motivated, then think of ways to bring happiness into your life. Try to focus on the positive side of life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Happiness doesn\u2019t mean having a huge house, fancy car, and a lot of money. It means doing things that make you happy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What makes you happy?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go ahead, and indulge!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>12. Be grateful for what you have right now.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may seem silly, but being grateful will help motivate you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you start thinking about all the good things you already have, you&#8217;ll realize how lucky you are. This will make you appreciate every little thing that you have right now.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And who knows? It might spark your motivation to do better each day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/fishing-for-compliments-meaning\/\">Fishing for Compliments: Meaning, Signs, and the 6 Genuine Reasons Why People Do It<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/how-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual\/\">10 Ways on How to Spot a Pseudo-Intellectual, and How You Can be a Genuinely Intelligent Person<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/eisenhower-matrix-pros-and-cons\/\">The Eisenhower Matrix Pros and Cons, and Everything Else You Need to Know (includes a Printable Template!)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>Takeaway<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1087\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/where-inspiration-comes-from.png\" alt=\"where inspiration comes from\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/where-inspiration-comes-from.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/where-inspiration-comes-from-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/where-inspiration-comes-from-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/where-inspiration-comes-from-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a lot of different opinions out there on motivation vs inspiration. Both are important, but obviously, they are different in so many ways.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hopefully, we were able to help you learn more about the differences between motivation and inspiration. We hope that you were also able to get some great tips for boosting your motivation and inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, it\u2019s sometimes the small steps that can make a big difference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re interested in learning more about motivation and inspiration, we\u2019d love to hear what you thought about this!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leave us a comment below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1091\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration-creativity-mesh-683x1024.png\" alt=\"motivation vs inspiration creativity mesh\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration-creativity-mesh-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration-creativity-mesh-600x900.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration-creativity-mesh-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration-creativity-mesh-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motivation-vs-inspiration-creativity-mesh.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><u>Disclaimer:<\/u><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on one of the product links, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Creativity Mesh.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everyone needs a little motivation and inspiration every now and again, right? It\u2019s undeniable that feeling a bit low on energy can be the difference between grinding out another day and giving up. But what\u2019s the difference between motivation and inspiration?<\/p>\n<p>In this post, we\u2019ll go over the main differences between the two, and how you can tell them apart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1086,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[31,55,16,8,17,18,12,21,53],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-1068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-motivation","tag-explanation","tag-how-to","tag-inspiration","tag-mind-hacks","tag-motivation","tag-productivity","tag-psychology","tag-success","tag-tips","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1068"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1130,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1068\/revisions\/1130"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1068"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=1068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}