Episode #376 – Clarity: See the Path, Make Your Move

This is episode 376 of the Brilliant Balance podcast. Today we’re talking all about clarity—how you can see the path and make your move. Happy New Year, my friend. Thank you for tuning in as we kick off a brand new year. I don’t know about you, but I love a fresh start. Whether it’s a Monday, a morning, or a January, the opportunity to begin again is always one of my favorite things.

I thought we might kick off this year’s podcast with a short series on momentum. I’m calling it the Momentum Map. Over the next three weeks, I’ll share three keys that will be essential to helping you move your life forward. On Friday, January 17th, at 1 p.m. Eastern, I’m hosting a free vision and goal-setting workshop.

Why am I doing this? Because we all say we’re going to create a plan for the year with the best of intentions, but so rarely do we actually do it. Life happens. By the first or second week of January, we’re already elbow-deep in a long to-do list. We remember exactly why these things didn’t happen in previous years. Before we know it, it’s February, then March, then April. So we’re putting an intervention in place on January 17th. You’re going to join me for a vision and goal-setting workshop. There’s a link to this in the show notes. Remember, what gets scheduled gets done. I want you to get this on your calendar. You can also visit the website at brilliant-balance.com/courage, because we’re calling this workshop “Clarity and Courage for 2025.”

Over 15 years of working with women leaders, I’ve learned what it takes to design the next level of life—not only to design it, but to build it and sustain momentum toward making it your reality. I’ll lead you through that in this workshop. Again, the registration link is in the show notes, or you can visit brilliant-balance.com/courage to sign up.

Today, I’m going to unpack the first key to building momentum, and it’s all about getting clarity. I’ll talk about why clarity is so important when we’re embarking on something new, why it’s so elusive, and what you can do about it. That’s the structure of today’s episode. Maybe grab a pencil to jot down a few notes. If you’re in the car, don’t grab a pencil—this episode will be here for you later.

Let’s talk first about why clarity matters. It’s something we instinctively know we want and need, yet it’s often hard to achieve. Many people feel they don’t have clarity about what they want or where they’re going. Clarity is important because no one will steer into a fog. Direction determines our destination. Without clarity, you don’t know where to steer, and you can’t align your energy with your goals.

Clarity creates confidence. Knowing your next step can reduce overwhelm and pull you out of indecision. When we lack clarity, we often lack a decision-making framework and feel less confident about the choices we need to make. Clarity also saves time and energy by eliminating unnecessary detours. Without it, we can find ourselves spinning in circles, wasting effort.

However, finding clarity isn’t easy. It’s elusive for several reasons. First, there are too many options. In today’s world of infinite possibilities, decision paralysis can set in. Second, external noise—other people’s opinions, expectations, and societal norms—can drown out our inner desires. Third, fear of choosing incorrectly holds us back. We avoid committing because it feels risky, and we want to keep our options open. But this often leads to splintered efforts and lack of progress.

So, what can we do to gain clarity? First, define your priorities. Know what matters to you in this season of life, even in the face of judgment or disagreement. Priorities are often rooted in values, so start there. Second, create a vision using broad brushstrokes. Outline what a better version of your life might look like. Finally, add details to this vision. Reflect, journal, meditate, or take a solo walk to let the specifics emerge naturally.

Everything you want to achieve this year begins with clarity. Without it, you’ll feel directionless. With it, you can focus on your goals, even when distractions arise. Ask yourself, how clear is your vision for 2025? If it’s murky, what steps can you take to bring more clarity? Bring your questions and ideas to the live workshop on January 17th, where we’ll work on vision and goal-setting for the year ahead.

This week, sit with the questions around clarity in different areas of your life. Then, come back next week for part two of this three-part series. Next week, we’ll talk about courage—an essential ingredient for making meaningful changes in your life.

Thank you for listening today. Until next time, go be brilliant.