where to find inspiration

It’s 6:21am. I’m sitting on our back patio. We have a 3-meter picnic table, so my desk is big for me this morning. My hands are on my keyboard. I’m staring at a field blanketed in yellow coreopsis (aka tickseed) flowers.

Cicadas and a magpies singing is the only sound.

The scene is inspiring. There’s quiet and room to think. There’s also room to notice more.

Slowing down and noticing things is where inspiration comes from. If I were a fine artist, this wildflower scene may inspire art. But I work with software, so let’s talk about that.

Inspiration comes from noticing who is doing the most exciting work in our field. Where are the people solving our problems in unique or maybe even boring and under-the-radar ways?

Sitting back and watching is not wasting time. When done deliberately, it’s an exploration of the nuances and differences and opportunities. Sometimes it takes the form of reading. Sometimes it’s video. Other times it’s eavesdropping on customer calls.

Inspiration comes from finding little ways to make things work better. It often needs us to slow down to see it.

Peter

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