What to do when Discouraged and Uninspired

This week has been a difficult week for me. I finally had plenty of time to get some great work done not only for work but with my writing as well and I just felt very discouraged with everything I was doing. I didn't really have the kind of inspiration I needed to in order to get great work done. I really felt locked down with everything I was doing, I kept telling myself that I am not as good as I should be and that I would never do stuff to the degree I wanted to. So then I decided to get input from folks in person and through social media outlets.

The crazy thing was most of the responses to my question about how to get motivated or inspired followed with "I don't know but please tell me when you find out"or maybe the less serious one "A boot". But in the end I still didn't find great answers from other people, so I tried some things on my own and found that they worked pretty well for me. I am no expert on dealing with motivation or inspiration but here is what helped me.

The first thing I did was open the Bible and look for help. Two key scripture references really helped lift me up.


Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)


Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26 ESV)


The next thing I did was pray over this scripture and ask God for encouragement and inspiration.

Finally, for work I sat down and re-wrote my to do list. Then for my work items and my writing items I started with a brainstorm session. I let myself dream big and write down all of the great things I would do if I could do them and how things would be done. I found answers to some of my questions and found new inspiration on how to get some of the things accomplished. And the more I dreamed the more excited I was to keep working hard with my work and with my writing.

These tools may not work for you but I advise at least giving them a try because it really helped me out. And if these tools still do not prove to be sufficient then find something that does, but no matter what don't give in to discouragement.

A friend of mine posted a quote about writing that was encouraging and inspiring.
"If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write." - Martin Luther. 


Don't give up, keep going.