How will you get clarity?
“You need to make a decision.”
She was right, I needed to make a decision. But I had no idea where to start.
My car had been deemed a total loss after I was hit by a teenage driver running a red light. I was borrowing a car from a family member, who was now encouraging me to move forward with buying a new vehicle.
It was time. I needed a new car.
But I was overwhelmed. I hadn’t planned on buying a new car anytime soon, and I had other things in my life consuming my attention.
It was just too much.
Every time I started thinking about making a decision about a new car, I felt overwhelmed.
There were so many choices, so many options. Do I go electric or hybrid? If I go hybrid, do I want a plug in? Do I want another SUV? Stick with the brand I had before? Try something different? New or used? How important is an automatic liftgate? What safety sensing features do I really need? What color?
I was overwhelmed.
Have you ever felt this way?
Slowly, I started working through what I knew about my current and anticipated driving habits - the kinds of roads and speeds I frequented, the passengers and baggage that I frequently transported. I outlined the features that were critical for me and the ones that would create the most enjoyable experience. I was getting clear on what I wanted in my next vehicle.
Finally, I was ready to head to the dealership and test drive a few top options and make my decision.
I was less overwhelmed.
Recently, one of my coaching clients shared that our work together had given her clarity - which in turn gave her confidence. This resonates, doesn’t it? The more clarity we get, the easier it is to move forward with confidence, even in the absence of information.
Picking out a recipe for dinner gives us more confidence navigating the busy grocery store. Being clear about the role we want gives us more confidence in a networking conversation. Knowing where our ethical boundaries are gives us confidence to say no when faced with a challenging situation.
Having clarity gives us confidence.
If you’re facing overwhelm and need some clarity, here are a few places to look so you can move forward with confidence:
Articulate your points A and B
When you’re honest with yourself about the realities of your current situation and where you want to be, it’s easier to see the path between the two.
Perhaps your job isn’t offering as much stability as it once did, or maybe your career growth requires a career pivot. Maybe your body isn’t really up for your current weekly running mileage, or it’s time to consider pursuing your dream of traveling the world.
Identify and prioritize your values
Knowing exactly which values you want to lean into in this season of your life can offer great clarity into your next steps.
Perhaps your team is stuck prioritizing work. Should you direct them to focus more on speed to market or product quality? Maybe you’re overwhelmed by the demands on your time. Do you want to prioritize your commitments based on connection or rejuvenation?
Take some action
Action often creates clarity. When you start getting momentum and feedback on your actions, the next action often becomes apparent.
Perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed by your calendar. Could you experiment with time blocking? Maybe that home improvement to-do list is bigger than you’ll ever get done. Can you try focusing on one thing you can check off the list this weekend?
Having clarity gives us confidence. Focusing on where we are right now and where we want to be, identifying and prioritizing our values to use as a northern star, and taking small actions will help give us the clarity we’re hoping for.
How will you get clarity?
You’re here. You want to be there. I can help.
Let’s talk. Book time, and we’ll figure out how to get you unstuck and get going.
How will you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
February 13, 2025
About the author:
Christina Von Stroh is a leadership coach who helps her clients become wildly successful by applying iterative software development practices to achieve their dreams. Want to work with Christina to help you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
Book your free strategy session.
