Do you have too much on your plate? Feeling overwhelmed and unfocused at work? Juggling too many priorities? If so, now’s the time to schedule a Clarity Break! If you’re not doing them, you’re at a disadvantage – possibly missing opportunities to reach your full potential.
A Clarity Break is a regularly scheduled appointment on your calendar with yourself to work on your business. Clarity Breaks allow you to clear your head, envision the future, think strategically, and focus on what’s most important.
Without regular time to work on your business, you risk becoming a victim of activity. Trapped in your day-to-day routines, to-do lists, and meetings, you remain working in the business, unable to focus on more high-value activities, such as strategy, key partnerships or new products, services and approaches.
Clarity Ignites Motivation
Without clarity, we’re distracted and less motivated. Life without a clear plan is just like drifting in a sailboat, letting the winds and currents carry us wherever they may be going. We end up reacting to our circumstances as they happen rather than proactively creating the life or business we want.
In contrast, people who have clarity in all areas of life outperform everyone else on a consistent basis. Why? Because clear thinking ignites motivation. If we clearly define where we want to go and surround ourselves with the right people and resources to achieve our vision, we literally unlock our potential.
Clarity Affords Focus
Now, add focus to clarity, and you have the Dynamic Duo. By clearly defining where we’re going and staying laser-focused on our vision, we’re less likely to fall prey to “Shiny Object Syndrome” – thinking of the next new idea (shiny object) and abandoning current projects for a new project that we just know is going to be a winner!
When we apply clarity and focus to our business, it’s like a light bulb that illuminates how to reach our company’s full potential. Without clarity and focus, it’s easier to make wrong turns and bad decisions – or have great ideas and plans that go unrealized. Everything costs more and takes more time!
Having clarity and focus allows us to determine what’s most essential in our business and life, and to say “No” to other distractions. Having more control over our schedule brings less stress and more peace of mind. And as the business grows, there will be even more opportunities and options. With a solid practice of taking regular Clarity Breaks you’ll be able to focus on what’s most important and drive more powerful results.
Making Clarity Breaks Stick
Here are some tips for making Clarity Breaks stick:
- It’s best to get away from the office where you won’t be uninterrupted. Consider a daily walk or Saturday morning Starbuck’s session.
- Whether you commit to 15 minutes daily or 1 hour weekly, the most important thing is to stay committed to a regular day, time, and location.
- Put the appointment with yourself in your calendar and alert others to respect your time.
- Be vigilant about working on the business. Avoid working in the business, i.e., making calls, checking off your to-do list, and other routine tasks. Clarity Breaks provide a time to think, see things clearly, and restore your confidence.
- Always turn off email and social media notifications. Sitting with a blank legal pad can be one of the most effective ways to capture your thoughts without the mental interruptions and temptations of electronic media.
- If you’re stuck, ask yourself, “What is the most important thing I should focus on this week?” For example, finishing your new website might prove to be most important since it will generate new leads and clarify your company’s brand promises.
- If you come up with ideas that benefit the company, then share them with your team. You might find ways to save costs, time and hassles, or improve systems and structures that are integral to driving your company’s success.
- Encourage all members of your leadership team to take daily, weekly or monthly Clarity Breaks. Have them share their ideas and create next steps in your weekly meetings.
Look at your calendar right now and schedule your Clarity Breaks. As a result, you’ll experience the benefit of becoming a more confident, focused leader. It’s in our moments of clarity and focus that destiny is shaped!
Next Steps
- Download the Issues Solving Track™ from the EOS Toolbox™ to learn how to IDS™ (Identify, Discuss, and Solve) issues more effectively.
- Download the EOS Model™.
This post originally appeared on the B.Inspired Blog in January, 2018.
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