Raise your hand if sometimes you feel completely uninspired. Like staring-at-a-blank-screen-with-that-stupid-cursor-blinking-at-you uninspired, knowing you're supposed to write something witty but you keep coming up empty. (Oh wait, that was me this morning. Nevermind...) Man, staying inspired is HARD!The tricky thing is, inspiration and motivation go hand in hand. It's hard to have one without the other. So if you're uninspired, you're probably unmotivated too. Ugh! The dictionary defines both words as:

in·spi·ra·tionnounThe process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.mo·ti·va·tionnounThe reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

If you're like me, you usually feel motivated right after you get this amazing, hurry-up-and-give-me-a-pen-and-that-napkin-'cuz-I-gotta-write-this-down-before-I-lose-it rush of inspiration. But what about those days when that inspiration is nowhere around?You know...what about the days when you wake up late, rush off to work, scarf a burrito quick lunch at your desk, fight through 40 minutes of traffic to get home, only to plop down on the couch and watch old reruns of Martin?In other words, what's a girl to do when the sun ain't shining and the day is, at best, described as "uneventful"? Do you just give up? (And console yourself with a pint of Talenti's amazing Gelato?)Of course you don't give up! (But you can have the gelato if you must..) There is a way to stay motivated and inspired, even if you're having a not-so-inspiring day. In fact, here's 5 ways to stay motivated and inspired that work really well for me:#1 - Change Your PasswordsYes...change your passwords! You know...to something inspiring! Why? Because...you use your passwords several times a day to login to stuff! So everyday, when you're logging into your email or your Facebook account or whatever...boom! Instant inspiration!Isn't that like, the most genius idea ever? Unfortunately, I didn't come up with it, but I wish I did! A few months ago I came across this article where the author talked about how changing his passwords to phrases that reminded him of his goals changed his life. I've tried this a few times and it's pretty fun since you can get creative with it. If you're dealing with a creative block you could change your password to "Cre@tiv3genius" ("creative genius"). Or if you want some extra motivation to get going on your business, you could change your password to #Bo$$chick ("boss chick") to remind yourself how much of a sweet entrepreneur you are. The possibilities are endless! Seriously, try it...#2 - Put Inspirational Messages on EverythingSo you know how I'm obsessed with notebooks? No, seriously, it's...a problem. I can't even drive past Office Depot or Target or Paper Source or even Anthropologie without putting myself at risk to spend $7,943 on pretty notebooks. (Even though I already have 1,368 half-used ones sitting in my back closet. Like I said...it's a problem.) Anyway, since I don't plan on beating my notebook addiction anytime soon, one thing that has really helped me is making sure I use notebooks with inspiring messages on them! My favorite brand right now is the "Motto" line of notebooks from Compendium, Inc. These notebooks are small enough to fit in your purse yet they have the best sayings on them. Right now I'm using their "Don't Wait" notebook. Love it!

Since I jot ideas down in my notebook several times a day, I'm getting an automatic shot of inspiration every time I open it up! Even if you aren't afflicted with chronic-notebook-acqusition disorder like I am (there's no cure), you can still try this with other things you use daily. Maybe you can find a tote bag with an inspiring phrase on the side? Or a cute iPhone case? You can even just change your screensaver, which is free and equally inspiring option. (Here's a free, inspiring screensaver from blogger extraordinaire, Regina.)#3 - Get Around Inspiring PeopleThis one should be obvious but you'd be surprise how many people don't make this a priority! I'm always seeking out inspirational people because...well, they inspire me! When I first moved to Dallas and I didn't know anyone, I joined the Urban League Young Professionals group here because I knew it would be full of "movers and shakers" like me. I also make it a point to go to inspiring events happening in the city -- conferences, panel discussions, networking events, etc -- because I know inspiring people will be there. (Duh!) Regardless of where you live, you'll find inspiring people if you make it a point to get out and get friendly.On top of meeting inspiring people in real life, you already know I'm a huge fan of having friends and mentors "in my head". For the uninitiated, it sounds creepy but having "in your head" friends and mentors is actually an amazing strategy. When you come across a high profile person who inspired you, just start following all their work. I regularly read books, listen to podcasts, watch videos, and check out the blogs of people who inspire me, even though don't know them and haven't met them in real life. That way, I'm "getting around inspiring people" from afar.#4 - Learn About a New SubjectI love doing this. Regardless of what your interests are or what field you work in, if you only seek out information within your same little bubble, you will eventually burn out. To get a fresh batch of inspiration, I love engrossing myself in something totally unrelated to my normal interests of personal development, finance, and entrepreneurship. I'll read a random magazines, watch a random video on YouTube, or even take a trip to a random museum in my city, making sure I learn something about a subject I normally wouldn't be interested in. Inevitably, I come across a fascinating tidbit. After "going down the rabbit hole" and researching my new found subject just for the heck of it, I'll get a flash of inspiration for something that DOES apply to my normal area of interest. As one definition puts it, creativity boils down to our ability to "see the connections between seemingly unrelated things." Give your inspiration and thus, your motivation a boost by taking the time to learn something new.#5 - Take Time Out For YourselfWhen all else fails, you probably lack inspiration and motivation because you're burned out. I've detailed my own bouts with burnout and falling into a rut here and here if you want detailed help with those issues, but the main thing that ALWAYS works for me is simply taking time out for myself! (I love me some "me time"!) Making time for yourself doesn't even need to be this expensive or extravagant thing. One of my favorite and free ways to decompress is to simply light one of my favorite candles and play my favorite music. If I'm really stressed out, I may even soak in the tub for an hour with a good book. Inspiration and motivation work like gas in a car -- if you are constantly going, going, going and you never take the time to refill, pretty soon you'll be left on the side of the road. If you're struggling with staying motivated and inspired on a daily basis, why not build an hour or even 30 minutes into your daily routine where you do nothing but chill?

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