Clarity Conundrum
Four simple things you can do that will transform how you respond to your day.
In my work with leaders, I notice they struggle in the things where there is a lack of clarity. I know this to be true for myself as well. In the absence of clarity, I get stuck and uncertain and start to second-guess myself. In the absence of clarity, we become victims of randomness.
Many of us operate in task land and wonder why there are no breakthroughs. We react to things that come our way, striving to do everything and do it well. The reality is that it is not possible to do everything and do it all well, which leads to frustration, stress, and overwhelm.
So, why does this matter?
Being clear on what’s important and what's on top provides the lens with which to triage the to-do list, decisions, and actions. Where we need more clarity, we react rather than respond to situations and scenarios. Clarity bridges the gap between our desires and intentions. It impacts our interactions, shaping how we communicate and connect. With clarity, we know who we are, what we want to be, and how we want to show up for people. When we are victims of randomness in our interactions, we open the door to reacting to pressures, demands, and situations in a way that is outside of what we desire.
Where there is a lack of clarity, decision and compassion fatigue are present, leading to more significant stress and overwhelm. Lack of clarity is the number one contributor to stress and overwhelm.
Clarity creates control.
Clarity provides us with the lens with which to prioritise and make decisions.
So, how do we get more clarity?
The high-performance research has found that four daily practices of clarity create what is needed to change our experience of being busy. Specifically, it found that high performers are future-minded and focus on four key areas to remain clear on what’s important and what to prioritise.
Four practices give you new ideas or tactical things you can do every day to be more conscious and intentional about how you show up, what's essential, and what you need to bring into the day to make it highly successful. And it is all about setting intentions.
Clarity on desires emerges from introspection across four key areas:
Self: Who do I want to be? Tuning into our innermost aspirations and defining our personal path to fulfilment is essential.
Skills: What skills must I develop or have on display to be at my best? Continuous learning and growth are vital components of our journey toward self-actualisation.
Social: How do I want to be and interact with others? Building meaningful connections and fostering positive relationships contribute to our well-being and sense of belonging.
Service: How will I make a difference and serve with excellence? Contributing to something larger than ourselves adds purpose and meaning to our lives.
Attention creates intention, which leads to a more significant impact. And while this may seem like simple logic, common sense is not always common practice. When was the last time you paused and set your intention for these things? Today, yesterday, last week - ever?
If you want to take your performance to a whole new level, impact your influence, and make a more significant mark on the world, then this needs your attention daily. It's not hard, and having that level of clarity daily will allow you to make more effective decisions, make easier choices, and have a greater impact.
By honing in on these critical areas, leaders can unlock numerous benefits:
Clarity and Direction: Gain a clear understanding of personal and professional goals, which will lead to confident decision-making and reduced stress.
Continuous Growth: Embrace a mindset of continual improvement, constantly evolving and developing skills.
Strong Relationships: Cultivate meaningful connections and foster a positive work culture built on trust and collaboration.
Impactful Leadership: Inspire teams, make a meaningful impact, and create a workplace where everyone thrives.
When leaders prioritise the Future 4, they enhance their effectiveness and create a ripple effect that extends throughout their team and beyond.
It seems so simple, yet it is rather transformational. I know because I practice this daily, I achieve so much more in my day, have a much greater positive impact on those I interact with, and have so much more energy to do the things that matter.
It stops the firefighting and reactivity and sets an intention that sets your day up for success.
If you want to try it, I have created a downloadable resource you can print and fill in at the start of each day. Make it a practice, and I promise you will see the difference.
