Clarity, Purpose, and Focus are the tools that I use for the basis of every decision I make. They are the foundation for every action I take, and every challenge I pursue.
Clarity is taking the time and making the effort to deeply understand the necessary information. Purpose is clearly stating why you want to do it. And Focus is acting based on the clarity and the purpose to achieve the goal.
Stepping into any new project is daunting. Taking on a new job, building a new opportunity, launching a new venture. Every time you step out of your comfort zone and take on a new challenge you are forced to make the the most of the information you have, determine what has value and what needs to be set aside, and make decisions that have long term impact. In order to make the best possible decisions, you must take the time to have a complete understanding of both the overall picture, and the smallest detail. And the picture must be seen through the clearest, cleanest lens.
The allegory of a clear pond is cliche. But it is an often used example with good reason. It is the simplest, most familiar way to create understanding with people so that they truly feel what it is to see clearly. Water is the perfect medium to demonstrate the idea of clarity because it is so changeable, moveable, and malleable. It is easily manipulated, but difficult to control. It can be altered by what is in it, and what is around it. And it can deceive your perception. Often the surface is more of a mirror, than a window into what truly lies beneath, but that's a story for another day.
To me, clarity is all about questions. Asking the right questions will quickly give you the answers you need. Asking the wrong ones can lead to wasted time, wasted effort, and perhaps to failure. Can you see the bottom? Can you see how deep it is? Does what is on the surface tell you what is below? Is the bottom really the bottom, or is what you can see merely a cover? Is there anything in the water that should concern you? Can you see enough to make that decision? If you can't see enough, are you going to make a decision regardless? How much does the visibility determine the risk? Is the water naturally still, or is it circumstance in the moment that causes this quick glimpse? Can you take the time to come back and look again, or this the only chance you'll get? Questions are the key to understanding, which is the only path to clarity.
My wife and I are very focused on getting the kids outdoors and active early in the day. Five or six days a week we get them out to a park, for a hike, to the beach, for a swim, or sometimes just a walk around the neighborhood. It allows them to connect and ground themselves, play together, burn off excess energy, and easily sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Today we were at the beach, and my daughter Cameron, 6, found some minnows that she decided she would like to catch. She grabbed her bucket, waded into the water, settled in quietly and patiently, and carefully swept her bucket up behind the fish to see what she could catch. The water this morning was particularly calm, crystal clear, and the visibility was amazing. You could see right to the bottom, even several metres out. Cameron could easily see the tiny fish swimming around her legs, and with a bit of concentration quickly caught a few minnows for her and her brothers to see up close.
After her second successful catch and release, a boat with a wake boarder rode by, sending waves rolling in to the shore. She looked up and said, "Dad, I am being still and patient, but the waves are distracting, and its hard to focus." I asked what she could do to make it work better, and she said "I'll just wait until it settles, and then I'll be able to see again." She didn't know that I was just writing about water, clarity, and understanding, but she absolutely cemented a key idea for the work. With her six year old insight she was able to contribute a concept that added some additional clarity to my writing.
Even when the water is clear, and you are focused on your goal, outside influence can cloud your perception. The trick is recognizing the waves, and either waiting it out, or compensating for the change, while staying on task and aware of the outcome.
Ben Beveridge
Inspiring Excellence Inc.
VP, Business Development
Mentor, Futurpreneur Canada
