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Where do you need more clarity?

Dec 21, 2022

As we continue to turn the corner from a period of total volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity that defined the past few years, and head toward the future, it is a good time to redefine what success looks like.

And, if you are leading a team or an organization - or your family - seeking some clarity about success and the path forward is critical right now.

The American philosopher Buckminster Fuller says, "clarity is power" and I couldn't agree more.  When you have clarity, everything falls into place.  It's like the fog lifting after it has rolled in and obscured your vision.  When there is heavy fog, it is hard to get your bearings; you lose your depth perception and any idea that you are on a straight path.

With clarity, you see the path, and maybe even the destination.  Or, you have a picture of the destination in your mind's eye and you know what direction to take.  Even if the clarity only extends a little way, you can lean into it, with faith that the next little bit will reveal itself. 

Clarity in life is a guidepost, a lighthouse in the dark. 

One of the things that distinguishes high performers from the rest is that they consistently seek clarity.  We know this from research.  It's one of the six habits of high performance.  And it's the way I always start out in my coaching programs:  seeking clarity.

So, where in your life do you need more clarity?  Right now, as many people struggle to look forward again and get back on track, build some momentum toward their goals and aspirations, gaining clarity on what success looks like is key.  What is it that you want?  When you think about what you want, what is your level of ambition for it, on a scale of 1 to 10?  Is it an absolute necessity or a "nice to have?"  Is your ambition high enough so that you can overcome the inevitable obstacles and challenges along the way?

In thinking about what you want, it can be helpful to break it down into categories.  For example, what do you want in your business or career?  What do you want for your physical well-being?  And what do you want your mindset and outlook to be?  How about your relationships - what do you want for both your personal and professional relationships?  What about your finances - how would you describe what you want in this area?  The more clarity you bring to your thought process, the easier it is to map out a path to what you want.  When you define what success looks like, with clarity, it is easier to get on the right track and get back on track after any missteps.

Often, people find it helpful to think about what they don't want, rather than what they do want.  With clarity in this area, it is easier to flip the switch to what you do want.  After periods of taking care of others - your family, your team, your customers - it can be difficult to refocus on your own needs.  Seeking clarity helps.

Another area where clarity can be especially helpful is in finding your reasons why.  Why is what you want important?  Why does it matter to you?  How will you benefit?  How will others benefit?  Whenever we are able to attach purpose to our pursuits, it provides extra incentive for pushing through the challenges.  Thinking about what you want and why you want it can be an excellent path to clarity.  Better yet, do some writing about it, or discuss it with someone who knows you well and who can ask clarifying questions or offer support.  For me, this is my coach.  But it can be anyone you trust to have your best interests at heart. 

Another option is to surround yourself with a community of like-minded people who are there to support each other, providing feedback and suggestions for tackling your challenges.  Consider joining or starting a mastermind group, as a way to level up and gain more clarity about your plans. 

Two of the most important decisions I have made in my professional life were to work with a coach and to join a mastermind group.  Each has helped me to gain clarity whenever I have struggled, and even when I didn't know I was struggling.  Sometimes, having the advantage of someone's view from the outside can be so beneficial.  And often, I have been asked the exact question I needed to be asking myself.

If you want to learn more about how coaching could benefit you right now, click here to learn more about my High Performance Coaching Program.  

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