I think I am the luckiest guy in the world. I have a job I love, writing music and being creative, all the while helping hundreds of students to have a great experience with their bands.

At least, that’s today!

On some other days it’s not so easy.  Depending on if the “creative juices are flowing,” I may instead be sitting around overwhelmed with feelings of a million projects to get started and no ideas.  (That was yesterday.)

But the really wonderful thing is that the creative inspiration we all need is just around the corner, or as Pocahontas sang, “Just Around the Riverbend!”  In fact, it’s always there waiting for us to get our focus and disposition in the right place to receive it.  Ideas are always flooding over us, but we have to be receptive, and make ourselves able to receive.

So if you ever find yourself feeling stuck, just keep doing that paperwork and getting things done.  Those days are needed, too.  Then rest assured that the creative juices will start to flow and suddenly the idea you needed will be right there for you.

It’s often been said that the mind does its best work when we’re not hammering it.  I always feel like I “input” the project specifics into my brain’s processor, and then it whirls around and one day comes popping out.  Most often it arrives when I am relaxed and not trying to force anything.

For me, I often get my best ideas when I’m in the shower or walking the dogs.  It’s a time when I relax and let go of some worries, and then the brain is in a position to reveal the information I need.

We all know the famous story of the man who was sitting relaxing in the famous public baths in Rome.  Then he happened to notice how the water was displaced when someone joined the pool, and “Eureka” he realized an important scientific principle.  In fact, it’s said that he jumped out of the pool and ran through the streets of Rome buck naked, yelling “Eureka” at the top of his lungs.

I’m not sure I recommend this reaction the next time your mind sends you the answer or idea you need, but celebrate in your own way, give thanks for the inspiration, and get to work!