Inspiration Overload

Inspiration is a great additive to our work, but it should never become our end goal. In other words, it’s a means to an end and not the end itself. Inspiration often tricks our minds into thinking that we are moving forward towards accomplishing our goals. Mental advancement in thought must have some corresponding movement in the physical world.

Could it be that many of us are dying of inspiration overload?

Here are some suggestions on curbing our addictive relationship with inspiration:

• Limit Meetings – You don’t need to meet everyone that asks for a meeting. Don’t let your insecurity of letting others down get in the way of living a healthy and productive life. Each meeting is actually precious time away from doing what you’re designed to do. How many times after a day of meetings have you thought, “Why does it feel like I haven’t accomplished much today?” Unnecessary meetings can kill your productivity.
• Limit Online Information Intake – Determine how much time you will spend each day/week on taking in information online. A “short” excursion online in following a trail of information can turn minutes into hours. Ask yourself, especially during work hours, “Is this necessary or a fun option?” Use something like Evernote to bookmark interesting information for leisure. Remember, you still have work to do?
• Limit New Ventures – As a serial entrepreneur, I have to constantly remind myself that “new” work must be meaningful and add to my current direction. This means that a good opportunity is not the same as the right one. Although you may not always be able to discern the difference, it is still valuable to have these kinds of conversations. Work towards refining your direction into a few areas as the year go by (unless you have millions of dollars to play with and don’t mind blowing some of it). This is not say you shouldn’t risk. There’s always risk involved. All I’m saying is that you should risk in the right areas.

Leaders, guard yourself from this and you will be grateful you did.

(Portions from article "Dying of Inspiration Overload" by Charles Lee - @ChurchLeaders.com)