Designers often identify a muse, someone who serves as the artist’s inspiration. In a business context, I think we all have our own muses, too. Knowing who your muse is, can help you become more deliberate when you’re ideating. Do you have someone in mind? If not, maybe I can help you identify him/her. It seems to me, there are a few different kinds of muses.

1.    The one you’d like to impress. Whose approval, admiration or respect do you crave? Whose praise lights you up from the inside? This may be a mentor, boss or spouse. For me, it’s my daughter. When I overhear Laini telling friends, “My mom’s really smart, so maybe you can ask her advice”, or at night when she murmurs sleepily, “Mom, I hope I grow up to be like you”, I’m flooded with a deep joy. So when I’m creating something, I ask myself, “Is this something Laini would be blown away by?”

2.    The one you want to be when you grow up. Who do you admire, and seek to emulate? With each new initiative or project, ask yourself: “Does this work bring me closer to his/her standard of excellence?” “What would my muse think about this?” You may find yourself raising the bar, or considering the challenge/opportunity from a new angle.

3.    The one you hope loves your product. Is there a person or celebrity you’d just love to see wearing or enjoying your product or service offering? What might you edit, refine, or create to make your thing completely irresistible to that muse? Not that we ever want to lose sight of our loyal consumers, but deriving inspiration from this kind of muse may inspire new ideas and innovation… which ultimately might/should delight your existing fan base, too.