Inspiration and new ideas often arise from combining different elements that at first seem unrelated. A new environment, knowledge from different disciplines (interdisciplinary approach), and making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts form the basis for innovations. Curiosity is essential to be open to unexpected creative insights. During a recent Dynamite Circle conference in London, I immediately felt the creative energy of the event working on me. Surrounded by 100 innovative minds from the network of successful, location-independent entrepreneurs, and thanks to the setting, creative exercises and unexpected questions, small puzzle pieces slowly started to fall into place. It was fascinating to see an idea come to life when you are open to new experiences and collaborate with others who challenge you to think outside your usual box. In this Inspiration Shot I take you through my process and share the new idea that emerged from it, to show you how you can invite new ideas yourself.

Perhaps you are looking for shade under the sun during your vacation, perhaps you are confronted with your own dark sides now that the summer does not seem to be taking off in many places. Nowadays I actively seek out my own dark sides, during tantra retreats. And I do not avoid them in 'normal life' either. Shadow work is a type of self-development in which we focus on our dark sides: characteristics or parts of ourselves that we normally prefer not to face or share with others. Things that irritate you in others, your so-called 'triggers' are often indications of where your own 'shadow' is. Actively seeking out your shadow, exposing it and integrating it, is called shadow work. It is not therapy. So it is not a 'problem' that needs to be solved, it is discovering a part of you where some more development can be achieved. You get to know yourself even better by looking at your contradictions. In this inspiration shot I will go into this a little deeper. Dive into the dark with me, if you dare?

During the recent Workation in Italy it became painfully clear again: many entrepreneurs do not dare to step into the spotlight; whether they have 50 years of experience, have written a book, hold impressive titles and positions, or have an important message to help others… ‘Who am I?’, ‘What will others think?’ and ‘actually what I do is very normal’ are common phrases. Some overthink it or make it too big, while the magic is actually in the little things. I have been sharing everything I experience for almost 25 years, and I still continue to learn. In this Inspiration Shot I'll share some ideas and tips about visibility.

I had already written an inspiration shot about health (“What is health anyway? Traditionally, health is often seen as the absence of disease, but is that all?”) when I got dengue fever, high fever and excruciating pain in all my bones and joints, during my writing retreat in Curaçao. That brought me face to face with how even those little things that we normally take for granted are not so common at all. Things that normally don't cost you energy, such as talking or eating, or being awake or lifting your head... In this inspiration shot we look at health.