Awareness is clarity

Why are you doing what you’re doing currently in your life?

It’s a tiny seed I try to plant for some reflection and awareness.

To quote Andy from Headspace:

“Awareness is clarity, and clarity is life.”

Andy from Headspace

Isn’t that what it’s all about in life? To create clarity for ourselves, what matters most to us and in what direction we’re going?

So how do we do that?

Not by thinking our way through all the possibilities. Staying inside of our comfort zones, believing we have it all figured out.

Not by plowing the same field over and over again for many consecutive years.

I recently had to deal with a few resignations.

Good people who, after many years with their company, decided it was time for a change.

I noticed a certain reservation with some of them when we talked about their decision. Like they almost felt they were letting the company and their colleagues down by choosing a different path for themselves.

It’s never great news when good people leave, but it’s not the end of the world either. It may be inconvenient for a while, but companies survive.

What matters most to me is that those people made a deliberate choice to take a different path.

The deal between them and the company that was good enough for many years was not good enough anymore.

I get it. I’ve been there.

You grow unaware.

For many years you live in a world you believe is your world. For many years you’ve been plowing the same field.

Some years are better than others. Some years deliver the fruits you worked hard for. Other years, not so much.

The routine helps you become unaware.

Unaware that there’s a world of opportunity out there. A world that’s waiting for you to explore what’s next.

So your first step is to become aware.

Becoming aware by being curious and asking questions. Or have conversations with people who have your best interest in mind and let them ask those questions.

Part of becoming aware is also to let go. Let go of the past and everything it has given you.

Don’t forget. But bring closure.

It may take a while, but closure matters. You will only be able to start your new endeavor when there’s closure.

You may have to leave your environment behind for a while.

To see the world through a different lens. Have conversations with people you don’t know. Catch up with old friends. Read books, listen to podcasts, and watch videos.

You didn’t make time for all those things while doing your 70-hour working weeks.

I nearly stopped reading books when I was in my corporate role. I read a few per year, but not the twenty to twenty-five I’m currently reading again.

As a consequence, I stopped learning and became more inward-focused.

Now my eyes, ears, and mind are wide open again.

Now, I see the opportunities I didn’t see for a long time.

Now I’m aware and have clarity.

It’s a bit more insecure because of the characteristics of my business, but I enjoy every moment. I’ve learned to embrace the uncertainty and have enough belief that those next assignments will come.

I’m happy to see a different field, not knowing which field will be next.

Clarity comes from opening your eyes, ears, and mind.

Erikjan Lantink

Clarity comes from seeing opportunities and being curious about them.

Clarity comes from becoming aware.

Your turn: what will clarity look like?

Do more of what makes you happy!

Erikjan