Clarity is a thing we talk about a lot as an outcome of coaching. On top of that, as a project planner I aim to provide clarity when I create my action plans. Quite a few of my reviews from clients mention it. And yet I don’t think clarity is a permanent state.

I was chatting to a freelance friend about this last week. I was talking about a client I’d helped a while ago and how I’d helped them get clarity on their next steps (I did a marketing map and a services map for their business).

But I said that actually in the months that followed we reassessed their priorities many times. So while there was initial clarity, it wasn’t something that lasted. There were always more thoughts to add on top of it, new variables that meant that the existing clarity needed reviewing again. Which was fine – it was part of the evolution of the work my client was doing.

And it got me thinking about all those times I have been looking for clarity about something, and been disappointed when the clarity has been short-lived. Particularly with my marketing, but also my portfolio of services, I feel like I’m constantly wanting more clarity. Clarity of direction, clarity in the audience I am communicating with, clarity of messaging.

But realising that there will never be a point at which I will have absolute lasting clarity. There will always be more layers, more ideas – and ultimately new levels of clarity. Because that’s what the creative mind is like, it’s curious and inquisitive and can’t just settle down and never change ever again.

What could we aim for instead? Acceptance perhaps, that things simply never stand still, and clarity serves his purpose for a while and then moves on.

How does that sit with you?

I’m curious. Let me know – either in the comments below, or on the social media post where you found the link to this blog post 🙂.

Photo copyright Nina Lenton