Image Credit: Fourth Revolution
Clarity: The quality of clearness.
I explain clarity as the mental sharpness and awakening of knowledge. When you feel clarity, you gain understanding of what you need to do in your life; Clarity is that monumental “life-bulb” moment.
Clarity is essential because without it, we often make decisions that are misguided and wrong for us, or the people around us.
But how do you gain clarity, you ask?
The truth is, I do not think you can gain full clarity 100 percent of the time. This is life and life is not perfect. But, there are strategies we can practice to help us become more in tune with who we are and what is best for our inner souls.
Recently, I watched this video from Marie Forleo about Goal-Setting. Within her video, she was able to describe perfectly how I have always felt about following your heart as your guide. One of Marie’s best mantras that she lives by is “Clarity comes from engagement, not thought.” No truer words have ever been spoken. Until you put something into action and TRY, you will never have the clarity if you are making the right decision.
I am someone who tends to live inside my head; I constantly have thoughts and different case scenarios running around in my subconscious. Due to this, I sometimes lie awake at night at trying to solve the world’s problems. Funny enough, I have found out that more times than not, if I stop thinking and start DOING, I feel more resolution. I feel abundantly more satisfied. Until you DO, you might as well worry your life away because your mind alone cannot prepare you for life, only your action and experience will.
Tips for Gaining Clarity:
- Dip your foot before diving in
Do you want to have the opportunity to move, to travel, or to try a new role within your building or profession? Ask questions and learn from those who you admire or would like to be more like. Can you shadow that person for a day? Ask questions and put yourself out there for different learning opportunities to give you a varied perspective before you completely dive in and change your life. Disclaimer: Sometimes diving in is perfectly fine, too.
- Trust your gut
As my Mom always told me- Your inner-self knows more than you ever will; Trust it. When you get that nagging feeling telling you to do something, follow it and listen. Especially if that feeling persists. You gain more regret from NOT trying than you will from trying and then failing.
- Give yourself grace
Sometimes you will follow that feeling of intuition and you will find out later that you may have regrets. Instead of beating yourself up, think of each opportunity as a chance to learn more and be more. Even wrong turns that you have taken develops your wisdom and self-truth in deeper capacities than what WOULD have occurred if everything went your way. Give yourself grace. Affirm what you learned through the experience and how you are better now because of it. Turn that potential negative into a life-changing moment that you can be proud of.
Kara’s Tweetable: “I have found out that more times than not, if I stop thinking and start DOING, I feel more resolution.” – Kara Welty
What are strategies you use to gain clarity? I would love to hear your feedback- Add your tips below.
Wow! Every time I read your stuff I feel clarity. You make me think about things that I have been “just doing” and put some meaning to them.
I know that each time I read something that you put your heart into I’m going to come away enriched and enlightened.
Thanks Kara!
Clint, Thank you. Reading your comment has to be the best compliment anyone can give me. Thank you for reading. It touches my heart that my writing can make a positive dent in your life.
Thanks Kara!!! Give yourself grace!! Such an essential part of seeking clarity.
I love what you said here:
“I am someone who tends to live inside my head; I constantly have thoughts and different case scenarios running around in my subconscious. Due to this, I sometimes lie awake at night at trying to solve the world’s problems. Funny enough, I have found out that more times than not, if I stop thinking and start DOING, I feel more resolution. I feel abundantly more satisfied. Until you DO, you might as well worry your life away because your mind alone cannot prepare you for life, only your action and experience will.”
SOOOOOOOO true & I feel the same. Feels awesome completing something that we think about versus continually thinking about it worrying if we are doing the right thing. Everything seems clearer when we jump in and accomplish something. I recently tweeted an article about overthinkers, which I also think fits this category. 🙂 Great post, Kara!
Thank you, Mandy. I agree with you as well overthinking can be a gift, but a curse as well. Putting everything into action is when clarity does its work the most. Thank you again.