3 Ways to Gain Clarity

Multiple people have shared that it was inspiring to hear how clarity can drastically change someone's life. But many of you have also mentioned that you're not sure how to find that clarity.

Here are 3 ways to get started:

1. Meet Yourself

Most of us are busy thinking, asking, discussing, and reading to find answers—all external sources. But the first place you should look is inside yourself. Treat yourself as another person; listen to your inner voices. Ask yourself what you truly want, what really matters, what you want to avoid, and what scares you. Deep down, you already know the answers to most of these questions—you just haven’t paid attention to the signals.

These internal signals are often drowned out by external noise, including the noise in your own head. To hear them clearly, bring yourself into a calm and grounded state. Meditation, yoga, or even a quiet, uninterrupted moment can help you reach this state. Then, ask yourself these important questions as if you’re talking to someone else. Pay attention to the insights that come to you, as well as the signals your body sends. You may feel tension manifesting as tightness, heat, cold, or even a fluttering sensation like butterflies in your stomach. For instance, a feeling of tightness might indicate a "no."

2. Test Drive

Sometimes, what we imagine we’ll like or dislike changes when we actually try something. Experiment and test things out with yourself. Go do things, even if you think you won’t like them. There’s no need to commit long-term—just give it a try, like when you test drive a car before deciding to buy it or not. You might be surprised at what you discover. For example, I used to hate running, insisting that I preferred walking and hiking. But after giving it a try, running has become one of my favorite hobbies.

This approach can save a lot of time if you struggle with decision-making. Just pick one option and take one step. With these additional data points, you can either keep going with more confidence or turn back and consider other options. Taking a test drive can help you find your path much faster with greater certainty. For instance, if you think your current role isn’t for you and you’re interested in another function, volunteer to help with one project in that area. Experience what it’s like firsthand. You may discover aspects you didn’t know before, which could change your perspective.

3. Hunt for Unknown Unknowns

There are some things you simply don’t know because you don't know about them—these are your "unknown unknowns." For example, there are over 30K distinct job titles in the U.S., but we can usually only name a handful and end up choosing from that limited pool. Expanding your awareness of these unknowns can open up new possibilities you hadn’t considered.

Don’t just focus on the surface, like job titles—dig deeper into their experiences. What’s it really like to live their life? What do they like and dislike? Use the insights you gained from self-reflection to see how well these paths align with your values. For example, if you thrive on social interaction, a solitary, heads-down job might not be fulfilling.

Reach out to people who have interesting careers or experiences, read books or watch movies about different lives, or ask others to introduce you to people who can offer new perspectives. These steps will help you solidify your understanding of who you are and open up more opportunities.

Conclusion

Clarity doesn’t always come quickly, especially if you try to find it alone. However, with guidance, like with a coach, the process can be much faster. By looking inward, experimenting with new experiences, and learning from others, you’ll start to uncover what truly matters to you. So why wait? Start today and see how your vision begins to sharpen.