In the late summer and early fall, I found myself travelling to multiple states and provinces within the same month. It was the first time I’d had this type of travel schedule since the pandemic started. In a short period, my senses were being hit with more new sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences than I had become accustomed to. As a result, I found my mind racing with how to integrate what I was seeing and experiencing, both personally and in my work.

The feeling was familiar because prior to the pandemic, I was used to having my travels and new experiences act as my muse for ideas about work-related projects and issues. Over the years, I have been inspired or had an idea from things like an ad in the airplane magazine (they’ve stopped printing these now), a unique billboard sign, a conversation with a taxi driver, a painting in my hotel room, or a menu at a new restaurant. I find that when I’m travelling, I’m more aware of the unique sources of inspiration that are around every new corner.

I find that when I’m travelling, I’m more aware of the unique sources of inspiration that are around every new corner.

After this intense month of travel, I realized how much I’d missed these new experiences as a way to think about issues related to my own work and organization. But I also discovered new areas of inspiration that I didn’t have before the pandemic. I am now learning a new language (Spanish), reading, and listening to more podcasts. These activities have helped replace the void of travel as my inspiration. Ironically, I now have more time to do these new things because I’m not travelling as much.

What about you? What’s your muse? Has it changed since the pandemic?

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