Picasso said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working”—here’s why waiting to ‘feel ready’ is a trap

A few years back, I attended a motivational seminar in the heart of New York City.

The speaker, an acclaimed life coach, was known for his energetic speeches and his unique ability to instill a sense of drive and ambition in his listeners.

I was there, along with hundreds of other aspiring entrepreneurs, looking for that spark to ignite my entrepreneurial journey.

As he stepped onto the stage, he started his talk with a quote from Picasso, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

The room fell silent as he paused to let the words sink in. I remember scribbling it down on my notepad, unaware of how profoundly this phrase would impact my life.

For years, I had been caught in the trap of waiting for ‘the right moment’ to start my venture. The dream was there, but I constantly found myself waiting for a burst of inspiration or a divine signal to set things into motion.

This mindset resulted in many missed opportunities and unfulfilled aspirations.

After that seminar, I decided to challenge this widely accepted notion and instead embraced Picasso’s philosophy. I didn’t wait for the perfect idea or the stroke of genius to come; I just started working.

As an entrepreneur now running my own successful business, I’ve realized that waiting around for inspiration is not just unproductive; it can be downright detrimental.

It’s been a roller coaster ride since then, filled with challenges, triumphs, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

What took me by surprise though? The realization that inspiration often strikes when we least expect it—usually while we’re deep in the trenches of hard work.

That’s what I want to share with you today: why waiting for inspiration can be a trap and how embracing Picasso’s words can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.

Embracing Picasso’s philosophy in my entrepreneurial journey

It all started with a single step. Despite the lack of a perfect idea or a detailed business plan, I decided to just start working on my dream.

I set up a small office in my home and dedicated specific hours of the day solely to this venture.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. It was nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. Some days were filled with uncertainty and self-doubt, but I didn’t let that stop me.

It was during one of those ordinary workdays, while I was engrossed in a mundane task, that it happened. An unexpected idea popped into my head—so simple, yet so innovative that it made me stop in my tracks.

It was the inspiration I had been waiting for, and it found me while I was working tirelessly towards my goal.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson: Inspiration is not something that can be forced or scheduled; it often comes when you are immersed in action, in the process of creating, innovating and solving problems.

In the next section, we’ll explore why so many of us fall into the trap of waiting for the right moment or the perfect idea, and how this common belief may be holding us back from reaching our full potential.

The common belief: Waiting for the right moment

Most of us have grown up with the idea that inspiration strikes like a bolt of lightning, a sudden flash of brilliance that illuminates the path to success.

We are taught to wait for this magical moment, when we will feel completely ready and everything will fall into place.

This belief was deeply etched in my mind too. But my journey taught me that waiting for the perfect moment or the big idea can actually lead to procrastination, missed opportunities, and ultimately, unfulfilled dreams.

I’ve learned that waiting for inspiration is not proactive but rather passive. It’s a trap that keeps us stuck in a state of inertia, perpetually waiting for something to happen rather than taking action.

In contrast, Picasso’s philosophy encourages us to be active participants in our own lives. It suggests that inspiration is not a precondition to start working but rather, it emerges from the act of working itself.

In the next section, I’ll delve into what I did to break free from this trap and how you can do the same to avoid falling into this common pitfall.

Breaking free from the trap of waiting

To overcome this hurdle, I made a conscious decision to prioritize action over waiting.

I stopped waiting for the perfect idea or the right moment and instead focused on putting in consistent effort, regardless of how inspired I felt.

I began my days with a simple mantra: “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” I started small, taking one step at a time, and gradually built momentum.

This approach led to unexpected ideas and insights bubbling up during the most ordinary moments. It was as if the act of working was sending out an invitation to inspiration.

If you find yourself waiting for inspiration or the right moment, I encourage you to break free from this trap. Start taking action, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem.

You might be surprised at how inspiration finds its way to you when you’re actively engaged in the process of doing.

Stepping back: Taking responsibility and breaking free

My journey taught me that taking responsibility for my situation, even when it wasn’t entirely my fault, was liberating. It gave me a sense of control and propelled me to break free from the trap of waiting.

I learned to think for myself, acknowledging the societal and cultural influences that had shaped my beliefs and expectations.

I realized that most of what we accept as normal or true often stems from external expectations rather than our own desires and ambitions.

Here are some key takeaways from my experience:

• Taking responsibility empowers you. You might not control every aspect of your situation, but you can control your response to it.
• Question societal expectations and norms. Understand that much of our thinking is shaped by external influences.
• Acknowledge your dissatisfaction or struggles. Avoiding them won’t make them disappear.
• Start taking action, no matter how small. Inspiration often finds its way to you when you’re actively engaged in the process.

Taking these steps helped me align my life more closely with who I truly am and what I truly want.

For anyone on a similar path, questioning societal myths and seeking self-empowerment can reshape your reality. Remember, it’s a journey of self-exploration, one that requires daily dedication and practice.

Remember, each step you take brings you closer to living life on your own terms.