The magic of inspired action: trusting your inner wisdom

April 22, 2025

I believe you know what to do in almost every single situation. You know the right next step. I’m not saying you know all the answers! But I believe you’ll know what to do next—whether that’s in your personal or professional life.

The problem is that most of us aren’t accustomed to listening to our inner wisdom. Western educational systems prioritize rational thinking and finding the ‘right’ answer, rarely encouraging us to trust our intuition. No wonder many find it difficult to rely on their inner knowing—despite it being one of our most valuable skills.

Often the best next step can’t be entirely rationalized. I’m not saying there isn’t a time and place for strategic thinking or taking deliberate actions as part of a process. Nor do I advocate jumping blindly into dangerous situations. But learning to trust your gut is incredibly valuable.

And that’s where the power of taking inspired actions comes in.

What is an inspired action?

Perhaps it’s easiest to start by saying what an inspired action is not. It’s not something that you rationally concluded; you didn’t go through a checklist to come to the most logical decision. It’s not something you’re doing because you feel you should or because others are doing it too.

Rather the idea for this action ‘came’ to you. It often happens when you weren’t even thinking of the subject or problem at hand. There might not even be a problem. But suddenly you had this idea to do something.

For me, inspired ideas often surface while brushing my teeth. I regularly run into the living room with my toothbrush in hand, scribbling a thought or inspired idea on the back of an envelope. Or I record an audio message on my phone when I’m taking a walk or am already in bed.

The inspired idea could be that you feel inclined to call someone or to go somewhere. Or you have an idea for a new product or article or creative endeavor. It might be an idea to start something or to end it. Often these ideas come seemingly out of nowhere. Sometimes you see or hear something that spurs the idea. But what inspired actions have in common is that they feel, well, inspired!

There’s a quality or energy about these ideas that makes you pay attention. If you learn to recognize inspired ideas, you’ll notice that they stand out. These ideas might even seem illogical or unorthodox—though they don’t need to be.

The power of inspired ideas

In my experience inspired actions are much more powerful than the things you do because you feel you should or because it seems logical. Inspired actions are the ones that tend to tip the scales.

A powerful inspired idea that comes to mind is when I felt inspired to call a past corporate client and take them up on their offer to come over for a cup of coffee (or in my case, tea) when I was in the area. Their office is a little over an hour away from where I lived at the time and I had no other appointments in the area but I felt I needed to call and make myself be in the area. I went in with no other expectation than to catch up. Halfway through the conversation the manager mentioned a big project and then, as if in afterthought, asked me if I thought I could be of service. Long story short: going for that cup of tea to catch up landed me one of the biggest projects I’ve done so far.

You just never know what inspired ideas will bring you. And you never will know unless you act on the idea! Resist the urge to squash the idea or to postpone taking action. There are always seemingly good reasons not to act. But chances are you’ll miss out on some magic! Imagine I hadn’t called that client—that would’ve been a big loss.

Once you recognize these inspired ideas, the real magic happens when you not only act on them but approach them with the right mindset. This is where the balance of commitment without attachment becomes crucial.

When it comes to inspired ideas—or anything, really—the trick is to stay committed and not be attached.

Stay committed. But not attached.

Being committed but not attached is one of the hardest things to do—but also one with lots of power.

Being committed but not attached means you’re focused on the broad picture outcome, on the WHAT, but you let go of the HOW and the WHEN.

This goes for everything. Whether you want to reach a certain income level, attract x new clients, find a passionate relationship or improve your health.

All of these things are possible, with commitment and focus, with taking inspired actions, with being aligned.

But you have to let go of the cursed how. You have to trust that things are in motion and that as long as you keep placing one foot in front of the other that you’ll get there. You are on your way.

Just to be clear. By not being attached I don’t mean you won’t care. Of course you’ll care! But when you’re allowing yourself to not be attached to the specific form or moment that something shows up in your life, you’re not sending out that needy energy that is so off-putting and exhausting. By broadening your focus you’re allowing more possibilities to show up. And you’re more likely to recognize opportunities because you’re less narrowminded as to what ‘fits’ the result you’re hoping to achieve.

Trust the timing of your life

Now how do you trust the timing of your life?

I think it’s a choice. It’s something you decide to do.

You decide to believe that life is happening for you—not to you.

You decide to believe that the Universe (spirit, God, Buddha—whichever term works for you) has a planning department that is way more capable and advanced than anything you and I could ever create or envision.

You decide to believe that there is something better in store for you, and it’s making its way to you. Even when you can’t see it. Even when it feels like you’ve been stuck here forever. Even when it feels unfair.

Then remind yourself of that as often as needed: I trust the timing of my life!

As Steve Jobs said:

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

That’s so true. With hindsight almost everything is logical. I can connect the exact dots that led me to my current home. No matter how frustrating it was when I was outbid on other properties.

You’re not meant to understand it all in this moment. You’re not meant to know how something is going to happen. Or when. It’s not your job!

Your job is to trust. Your job is to choose to focus on what you can control—which is your actions, your thoughts, your vibration and how you respond to your emotions.

I know that’s easier said than done. But if you’re willing to do the work, I know you can do this or learn how.

And when it’s hard to feel the trust, you can try these tips to prevent yourself from going into ‘control mode” or taking actions left, right and center simply because you’re looking for certainty.

I hope this article will help you be alert on inspired ideas and following through on them. Magic is all but assured when you do. And when you’re able to remain committed but not attached and trust the timing of your life, you’re laying a solid foundation to excel in this game called life!

Ready to start acting on your inspiration?

Here are three steps you can take now:

1. Create space for inspiration to find you

Make sure you have several moments per day when you are not feeding your mind with input. Perhaps take a walk without listening to a podcast or making a phone call. There’s a reason ideas come to you in quiet moments. Remember my examples of being in bed, bathing room or a walk? Notice which ideas naturally arise when your mind isn’t preoccupied.

2. Act on one inspired thought

Choose just one intuitive nudge this week—no matter how small—and follow through within 24 hours of receiving it. Write down what happens.

3. Practice non-attachment

When you take that inspired action, set an intention but release expectations about exactly how things should unfold. Notice how this may feel different from your usual approach.

I’d love to hear which inspired actions you take and what happens as a result!

Have a day full of energy and inspiration!

Need support navigating your life? Iris van Ooyen is your guide to hope when life feels uncertain. In the moments when you feel lost and don’t know where to turn, Iris offers clarity, support, and a path forward. She’s the author of Radiant: How to Have All the Energy You Need to Live a Life You Love. Contact Iris to help you navigate life’s pivotal crossroads with confidence and purpose.