No Inspiration? No Problem.
A client recently said they were “just not feeling it” lately. Honestly? Who is. But while you wait for your mojo to come back, your competitors are out here making moves. Here’s the thing about inspiration: it’s wildly overrated.
Lately, I've noticed a familiar refrain echoing through my client meetings and calls: "The economy is shaky. Work is relentless. I'm exhausted, and I'm just not feeling it anymore."
And you know what? Things are tough right now. It's not just the headlines or the falling numbers on a spreadsheet. It's the daily grind of holding it all together while the ground keeps shifting beneath you. Of course, you're tired. Of course, motivation feels like it's ghosting you. You're not imagining it. It really IS challenging.
This is why I love Stephen King's quote. It's a reminder that waiting for inspiration is a losing game. One minute, she's lighting up your brain at 2 am with brilliant ideas. Next, she abandons you when you desperately need her. No warning. No apologies. Worst of all, she doesn't care about your deadlines, revenue goals, or KPIs. Rude.
Here's the truth: you don't need an inspirational lightning bolt to move forward in tough times. You just need to hit the ground, take a step, and keep moving…even when work feels like Sisyphus pushing a boulder up the hill day after day.
When “Waiting for Inspiration” Becomes a Trap
Why This Matters (Especially Now)
Here’s where it gets tricky. Inspiration doesn’t just ghost you; she lures you into waiting. Waiting for the right mood. Waiting for the perfect timing. Waiting until it all feels easy again. And before you know it, waiting becomes your full-time job.
If you’ve noticed yourself doing any of these lately, you’re not alone:
Delaying outreach until you're “in the zone.”
Postponing your launch because the logo/font/color palette isn’t quite “perfect.”
Shelving a killer idea because you've convinced "the market isn’t ready yet.”
That’s not a strategy. That’s paralysis dressed up as planning.
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
— Stephen King
What “Getting to Work” Actually Looks Like
The antidote to waiting isn’t some grand breakthrough. It’s movement. Small, unglamorous (yes, un-Instagrammable) movement. The kind that feels ordinary in the moment but compounds into traction over time.
Sending that follow-up email, even when you'd rather alphabetize your inbox
Writing the blog post your audience needs, even if it's about not feeling inspired.
Showing up consistently with posts, clients, networking, even when your mojo's MIA.
It's all about momentum. A truffle shuffle still moves you forward. (Even Goonies never say die.) Waiting on inspiration is like expecting your cable guy to arrive on time. Technically, it's possible, but let's be real. You'll be waiting forever.
Every business has ups and downs. Sometimes the wind’s at your back, the sun is warming your face, and the ride is grand. Other times, you’re grinding uphill on a rusted tricycle with two flat tires. In those sloggy, unglamorous stretches, discipline does the heavy lifting for you.
Here’s the thing: objects at rest tend to stay that way. (Thanks, physics!) Momentum builds. Small moves compound. The business owners, teams, and leaders who keep showing up, even imperfectly, are the ones who’ll be miles ahead when the tide finally turns.
TL:DR
Inspiration’s a luxury. Progress isn't. Show up anyway.
If your business feels like it's something out of “Misery” or “The Shining” right now, you’re in good company. Remember, Stephen King knows how to craft a good ending, too. (Looking at you, Shawshank.) Brew something strong, open your laptop, and tackle one small thing. Future-you is already high-fiving you for it.