I is for Inspiration

"If it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done."  As an on-again, off-again procrastinator, these words often served as a valid description of circumstances, most notably during my school days when faced with mountains of homework.  My folks once gave me a plaque of Snoopy lounging about in a hammock, wearing headphones, reading magazines and sipping root beer, with the caption "Genius at Work" commemorating some of my more grandiose displays of putting off until tomorrow what could have been done today.

I've gotten better over the years about getting to work and staying on task when circumstances require it.  I have found, though, that it is much easier to apply my best efforts when I want to; that is to say, when I am inspired.  If time is a luxury, I much prefer to take an organic approach to chores and work, because I find that when I am inspired to produce, I work much harder, pay more attention to details and outcomes, and ultimately get better results.

In the face of time pressure, then, when inspiration may not be naturally present, one has to manufacture inspiration.  My constant prime sources of inspiration are my children, my fiancee and my family.  The loved ones around me are the ones who inspire me to greater heights and give me the reason to walk the rough roads in the face of adversity.

When you need to turn it up, what inspires you?