These two big words have similar meanings but still have subtle differences. If you are a creator of any art form, you know these are two levers you pull from. What are they? How do you harness them and understand the differences?
Inspiration is spontaneity and comes from external sources - living life, encountering an art piece, reading a book, or experiencing a moment of clarity. That sudden spark makes you think, "I want to create something." Inspiration feels effortless when it strikes, almost like being pulled toward something. While it's accompanied by excitement and a sense of opportunity, it can be fleeting and unforeseen.
In contrast, motivation is more about your efforts' internal purpose and reasons. It's what keeps you going when inspiration fades. Motivation develops through forming clear goals, comprehending your "why," and creating plans and practices. It's more sustainable and within your control but requires more conscious effort.
Contrary to the title of this article, inspiration and motivation work as partners, pulling you forward. I am often inspired by life, thus motivating me to pursue my passions and hobbies. An idea from my surroundings, nature, and environment ignites my motivation to create something from that experience. I will see how a tree is growing, the laundry tumbles, or someone skating down the street, and inspiration will strike me to try to create a dance move or concept. Even knowing the formula "inspiration + motivation = creation" does not mean you can quantify or replicate this experience. The variable of discovering an inspired moment is not in our power to dictate, nor is the motivation itself when we become inspired. What you can control is your experience. The more you experience, the more opportunities for discovery can occur. The formula is more like "experience(inspiration + motivation) = creation." Experience multiplies the chances of solving this equation (I promise that is the end of my math analogy).
The drive is staying present in your life, keeping your senses available to catch these fleeting moments like fireflies on a summer night. Those sparks that ignite you to create are quick and subtle; they will fly off into the night sky if you are not paying attention.