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Why You Should Create an Inspiration Notebook

By Mary M. Goodyear August 29, 2016

I recently attended a weekend marketing seminar and one of the activities to “break the ice” was creating an Inspiration Notebook.  I’ll admit, I’ve seen these things on my Facebook feed and in movies, but I’ve often thought, what is the point?  I joined in on the activity thinking that my love of crafting would override my less than excited mindset for this activity.  We had just completed the trust fall at our seminar, so I was starting to feel my impatient and sarcastic self want to slip away for something more productive.


So, what exactly is an Inspiration Notebook?  It is a visual representation of a focused idea. Perhaps it is a way to clarify a brainstorm or idea that you have.  It can also help you focus on your dreams, ambitions, or even just an overview of the things that you are attracted to. It can also be used as a motivational tool.


Our instructor gave us a few basic rules:

  1. There is no right or wrong or rules to how you should set up your notebook.  The sky’s the limit.

  2. Once done, you need to put it in a place that you can see and review it on a daily basis.

  3. The notebook should have no limits, therefore it is never really done. You can always add or change things as you see fit. Keep adding to the notebook and get a new one when you are done.


To begin designing, our instructor gave us a blank notebook, magazines, craft materials and access to the internet (only to create - no work allowed).  She asked us to look through and pick out things that inspired or attracted us.  If we were drawn heavily to something, we needed to include it. Something as simple as a smile or flower should be considered if it provides direction.  We could also write in our notebooks as part of the visual layout. It’s important to just focus on creation and not overthink anything.


I started the project and found that after 10 minutes I was really looking and imagining in a way I hadn’t done in months.  My work life had become so robotic that I hadn’t spent any real time thinking about my goals or dreams.  Can anyone else relate? I was able to spend a few hours really thinking about what inspires me and where I want to go with my career.  That was more valuable that I could ever imagine.  It also made me examine my fears in business that I didn’t want to think about.


The great thing about an Inspiration Notebook is that it can constantly change and even surprise you.  Perhaps you will be like me and unearth some interests or dreams that you didn’t know existed.  It's also like a diary in that you can go back and see how you have progressed. Also, you can go in any direction you might like.  This is also a great team-building activity for a business, social group etc. Consider trying it soon.