Inspiration
Where the Best Ideas Come From
1st Edition
Published on 12. September 2025
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-5095-6511-5 (ISBN)
Description
Inspiration propels us. It's the basis of every accomplishment. But the idea that it simply falls into your lap is a myth. Inspiration doesn't come to us in a gust of wind, only to disappear into the mist again. You make it happen; it's a reward for work that you've already done. The combination of perspiration and inspiration takes you to where you want to go.
In this ode to what is perhaps the brain's greatest achievement, Ap Dijksterhuis explains, with a storyteller's verve, what inspiration is, why we have it, how it works and how to get it. Drawing upon on the most up-to-date research in neuroscience and psychology, he shows how inspiration stands in relation to creativity, motivation, curiosity and the overall functioning of the brain.
Ultimately, inspiration is not a privilege granted to a talented few: everyone who chooses inspiration will benefit from it. Including you.
In this ode to what is perhaps the brain's greatest achievement, Ap Dijksterhuis explains, with a storyteller's verve, what inspiration is, why we have it, how it works and how to get it. Drawing upon on the most up-to-date research in neuroscience and psychology, he shows how inspiration stands in relation to creativity, motivation, curiosity and the overall functioning of the brain.
Ultimately, inspiration is not a privilege granted to a talented few: everyone who chooses inspiration will benefit from it. Including you.
Reviews / Votes
"A great gobsmacking gallop through the galleries of human greatness! Throughout history and amazing story after amazing story, Dijksterhuis explains in clear terms where the sparks of great ideas and great achievements come from, and why. Spoiler alert: they do not come for free, but they do come for everyone."John Bargh, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema Professor of Psychology, Yale University
"Drawing on engaging anecdotes and insights from psychology and neuroscience, Dijksterhuis investigates what inspiration is, what it's for and where it comes from."
Psychology Magazine
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
536 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5095-6511-5 (9781509565115)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2025
1st Edition
Wiley-Scrivener
€22.99
Available for download
Persons
Ap Dijksterhuis is the bestselling author of numerous books and Professor of Psychology at Radboud University in Nijmegen
Translated by Liz Waters
Translated by Liz Waters
Content
1. Prelude
The best idea ever
Everything of value was unconscious
All hands on deck
The inspiration process
This book is about everyone
2. Vocation
The great soul
Love, energy, magic
The brilliant invention
Einstein, Darwin and other problem cases
How exceptional was Mozart?
Existential fuel
Messages from the depths of the ship's hold
Will
3. Motivation
Brain hijackers
Proficiency, poetry and insurance policies
Forget reality
'Why don't you just fuck off'
Cuckoo in the nest
Because it's there
Intuition as a by-product
4. Concentration
Mr Ramsay is rather busy
28473207698174528467492614265...
A life for science
Panic at the coastguard
A winning hand and a broken finger
'My mind peaks too'
Ludwig, brain owner
Infectious love
5. Stimulation
White mole with oysters
Teasing the prediction machine
First, deeper into the mire
Foes and friends
Stuff on which the Muse grows
Moral purity
Why heroes are important
The queen of emotions
Art begets art
6. Incubation
Thinking is a whale
Unconscious thought
Two jars of marbles
Sleep little brain, sleep
On gardening and lovemaking
The pig-headed unconscious
7. Magic
Godlike moments
Brilliant quickies
Why daydreaming is good
Bed, bath, bus
A requiem revealed
8. Perspiration
Misconception, misconception, misconception
A child's bicycle tossed aside
Covid-19 and 720,001 photographs
Coffee beans and a joint of mutton
Listening to a weak signal
Time-wasting sentiment
Regular dance partner
9. Postlude
Why?
The red carpet to happiness
Viva la vida
The point of existence
This is the sea
Afterword
Playlist
Notes
Index
The best idea ever
Everything of value was unconscious
All hands on deck
The inspiration process
This book is about everyone
2. Vocation
The great soul
Love, energy, magic
The brilliant invention
Einstein, Darwin and other problem cases
How exceptional was Mozart?
Existential fuel
Messages from the depths of the ship's hold
Will
3. Motivation
Brain hijackers
Proficiency, poetry and insurance policies
Forget reality
'Why don't you just fuck off'
Cuckoo in the nest
Because it's there
Intuition as a by-product
4. Concentration
Mr Ramsay is rather busy
28473207698174528467492614265...
A life for science
Panic at the coastguard
A winning hand and a broken finger
'My mind peaks too'
Ludwig, brain owner
Infectious love
5. Stimulation
White mole with oysters
Teasing the prediction machine
First, deeper into the mire
Foes and friends
Stuff on which the Muse grows
Moral purity
Why heroes are important
The queen of emotions
Art begets art
6. Incubation
Thinking is a whale
Unconscious thought
Two jars of marbles
Sleep little brain, sleep
On gardening and lovemaking
The pig-headed unconscious
7. Magic
Godlike moments
Brilliant quickies
Why daydreaming is good
Bed, bath, bus
A requiem revealed
8. Perspiration
Misconception, misconception, misconception
A child's bicycle tossed aside
Covid-19 and 720,001 photographs
Coffee beans and a joint of mutton
Listening to a weak signal
Time-wasting sentiment
Regular dance partner
9. Postlude
Why?
The red carpet to happiness
Viva la vida
The point of existence
This is the sea
Afterword
Playlist
Notes
Index