How do you get inspired and keep that inspiration alive, especially during tough times? First and foremost, you need something bigger than you to be inspired about. I think we are all born with a deep and meaningful purpose that we have to discover.

Your purpose in life is not something you need to make up; it’s already there – you just need to discover it.

And when you do, when you really discover what you’re meant to do, it will be the reason you get up in the morning.

Finding Your Life Purpose

Prior to discovering your life purpose, it’s easy to become sidetracked, or feel uninspired, or feel like you’ve accomplished very little.

But, what if these feelings are simply feedback that you need to keep going, keep searching, keep discovering?

What if it’s the universe reminding us not to settle for mediocrity, to continue experimenting for the one thing that lights you up?

I also believe we’re all born with a set of talents and interests that tell us what we’re supposed to be doing.

Lot’s of times they come so naturally to us, we overlook them. We think finding our purpose is supposed to be more profound or hard, but what if it’s right in front of you the whole time?

Think about it; have you ever wanted to study something that you loved, but the more logical route was to do what “your parents or teachers or friends” thought you should do?

Maybe you wanted to be a potter or a musician but ended up in business school, because it was “logical or sensible”?

If so, you’re not alone, you’re just off track. You’re meant to be a potter!

I discovered my purpose accidentally when I took a psychology class in college, and at the time I was a Chinese history major who thought I wanted to become an international lawyer.

We all figure it out. It just takes some of us longer than others.

How to Get Inspired

With that said, sometimes I feel myself feeling lost and uninspired, and when I do I consult my intuition.

I do this because our subconscious mind is the source of our hidden genius and will always provide us with the knowledge and creativity we need to keep moving forward in the right direction with inspiration.

1. Meditate

An excellent tool to access your intuition, and deepen your connection with your highest self is meditation.

Just 10 minutes a day of meditation can yield powerful results and will make it easier for you to recognize your intuition when it speaks to you through words, images, emotions, or physical sensations.

2. Mastermind

Another powerful tool I have used in my entire career is the mastermind group. A mastermind group is a group of usually six to eight people who meet regularly to push themselves towards their goals, hold each other accountable, and share ideas and resources with each other.

The more time I spend consciously building and nurturing my business network of advisers, colleagues, clients, students and fans, the more successful I become.

So be sure to make time to develop genuine relationships with people who inspire you or you are inspired to be like.

It’s all about making sure you’re surrounding yourself with the right people that are going to believe in you, challenge you, and push you forward even when you’re going through a challenging time.

3. Read Positive Stories

I also read positive stories, listen to motivational speakers, and read inspiring and uplifting books.

And I teach this stuff for a living – but it keeps me motivated, and reminds me to keep setting goals and keep dreaming.

And I am here to remind you, you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to, as long as you stay true to yourself and stay true to your dreams, and never, ever give up! @JackCanfield (Click to Tweet!)

I know you can do it because you’re here – watching this video and subscribing to my content.

The Chicken Soup for the Soul series and The Success Principles are filled with inspirational stories that have helped many of my students’ keep going, and they will help you too.

4. Enjoy Your Success

And last but not least, take time to enjoy yourself and your success!

It’s important to step away from your work, breathe, and draw inspiration from the outside world. Whether you like to go to the beach, take long walks, or travel to new places, you deserve it and I want to encourage you to do it.

Seriously, I read a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that said people who traveled to a different country experienced greater self-confidence, open-mindedness, and conscientiousness.

Imagine that! You can have fun and grow at the same time.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come back home from Italy, Bali, Dubai, Mexico, or some other country, and felt totally reinvigorated and with a fresh perspective on everything.

What are you going to do to get inspired? Are you going to take a soul-searching trip? Do you plan to start a mastermind group, or meet with friends who uplift you? Share what actions you will take to keep you inspired.

As the beloved originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul^® series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre—and watched it grow to a billion dollar market. As the driving force behind the development and delivery of over 100 million books sold through the Chicken Soup for the Soul^® franchise, Jack Canfield is uniquely qualified to talk about success. Jack is America’s #1 Success Coach and wrote the life-changing book The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be and Jack speaks around the world on this subject. Check out his newest book The 30-Day Sobriety Solution: How to Cut Back or Quit Drinking in the Privacy of Your Own Home. Follow Jack at www.jackcanfield.com and sign up for his free resources today!

Image courtesy of Kim Carpenter.