OVERCOMING ADVERSITY SERIES (7)

UNLEASH THE POWER OF CLARITY

The present is a moment of creation and power; you can create or design the architecture of the future you want to have. It is in this moment that you define the direction, or course for your life. To embrace the present is to take charge of your future; you create your future, instead of letting the future happen to you.

The fact that you’ve faced challenges, had problems, experienced adversity doesn’t mean that you have to accept anything that comes your way. You must have clarity of vision. Where do you want to go now? What conditions do you want to experience? What exactly do you want? You must be able to hold a picture of that in your mind as well as state it clearly on paper. It takes a clear mind to choose the future you want and to follow your path.

Suppose someone gave you a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, but it didn’t have an image on the box of what the end result should look like. Wouldn’t you have a much harder time putting the puzzle together, than if you had a clear picture of the end result? Definitely!

Well, through trial, and a lot of error, you may eventually put it together, but the process will be long and arduous. Having a clear picture of the end result eases the feelings of frustration and increases your chances of achieving success.

If we do not have a clear picture as to what we want to create in our lives, we have doubt; confusion, stress, worries, dysfunction and then fear, which by default take the place of clarity. When we have clarity, we eliminate these negative emotions; the pictures in our mind are vibrant and rich in detail. When you see what you want, you also see yourself in possession of what you desire.

Have you ever noticed how certain you are when you know the directions to where you want to go? We think in pictures. Aristotle said “The soul cannot think without pictures.” The images you hold in your mind influence what you focus on and will influence your actions and consequent results. When you can “see” your goal, the path that will take you there becomes illuminated as well.

Clarity is a choice

Clarity is a key ability shared by successful people everywhere. If you are going to achieve anything significant in life, you will have to get clear on exactly what it is you want to achieve and why you want to achieve it.

If you are not clear, or you don't know exactly what you want, then you would have to sit down and clarify your intentions. That sense of knowing what you want isn't going to just come to you. You have to consciously choose.

Clarity is a choice, not an accident or a gift. Clarity doesn't come to you – you go to it. This can only be done by you, and no one else. Those people who know exactly what it is that they what to achieve, are at a distinct advantage to those who do not know.

When you choose to clarify your dreams and goals that’s the moment you begin to lead yourself than allowing others to lead you. When you don’t set clear goals, you become a slave to the goals of others. But why choose to be slave when you can be king?

Clarity is king

Nothing ever happens without clarity. You cannot achieve much, or maximize your potential without clarity. A lot of people have an idea of what they want but they are not clear on exactly what they want to achieve and why. Someone has said, “If you don’t know where you are going, a map will be of no use.”

What makes some people more successful than others is their ability to have a clear vision of who they are and what talents, skills and abilities they have, and where they are going.

Clarity is essential to anything you do in life. Without clarity you would not succeed the way you would like to. Once you achieve clarity, life changes. You are able to accelerate actions and processes. Clarity guarantees speed.

¹¹Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. ¹²Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:11-12)

Clarity is power

“People who are confused take no action. Clarity = Power. You can’t commit if you’re still looking” – Keith Cunningham

Clarity changes everything. Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without clarity. Clarity precedes success; it is the key to unlocking your potential and manifesting your destiny.

If you read the verses that preceded the scriptures quoted above, God spoke to Jeremiah about his mission and his destiny. But that was only going to be possible to the extent to which he sees well. Seeing well (clarity) will help manifest his destiny speedily.

The things that fight us from gaining clarity are the multiplicity of events that competes for our attention. And this is especially so when we are working to climb out of adversity. Our attention is pulled in every direction; therefore, having clarity about what is truly desired provides a focal point with which to direct our attention deliberately.

Without a focal point, directing attention becomes more of a challenge. When you are very clear about what you want and you make that your focal point, directing your attention becomes effortless. So, decide what you want, be very clear about it and give that your attention.

In my next post, I will help you with the steps you can take to gain greater clarity in your pursuits. Every success…