I once heard Inspiration described as a lover who visits when he/she pleases…and on those cold, lonely nights, we wish Inspiration would visit to warm our beds and make us feel less alone. I couldn't agree more. And riiiiight about now my mother is sending me a warning email about the perils of blogging about lovers. She's praying for us all.

In seriousness, I crave inspiration the way any creative might, but try as I might, I can't make it come to me. I must wait.

I read an article explaining how inspiration and/or flashes of genius are actually rooted in science. Because of this, we can create a system and life that allows ourselves to have better ideas more often.

The article stated everything you've read, tasted, viewed, experienced and learned over the years is stored in your brain as unrelated connections. A section of your brain called the superior anterior temporal gyrus (right side, just behind your ear) helps connect the dots and puts them together into a cohesive idea.

However, if you're stressed all the time or have created a crazy busy schedule with little to no margin your brain has a harder time looking for those dots because it is so focused on what you have going on. When your body can relax, your creativity can shine as your creativity is really your brain connecting the dots and presenting solutions.

This is why many people get their best ideas in the shower. They are completely disconnected — no phones, no email, no computers — which allows the brain to get to work.

Liene says if you want better ideas in 2013, set a resolution to regularly do something out of your norm. Read better books and read them more often. Go to museums. Take your daughter out for ice cream. Watch well-made films. Go to a comedy show. Go for a walk. Go for a swim. Learn to cook (I'm working on this one!). Take up knitting.

You can do it alone or make it a date with your spouse, kids, friends. The trick is to get out of your usual routine and allow yourself to have fun and relax.

Making time to take care of yourself is better in the long run. I'm slowly learning to let go of the urge to stay busy and, instead, simply be. After all, if I want Inspiration to visit, I should probably be in bed 😉