How To Make Clarity
Last week, we started talking about clarity by imagining a world with more of it - A world where all water is completely clear and relationships in life have a lot less misunderstanding.
Unfortunately, we know the world doesn’t exactly work this way, so we asked the question, “How should we respond when there is no clarity?”
(If you missed it, click here to get caught up.)
This week, I want to follow it up by looking at the flip side.
The first was a RESPONSE to a lack of clarity - It was figuring out how to react when things are out of our control.
The second is a RESPONSIBILITY - The part WE PLAY in it.
It is a responsibility for anyone who desires to be a better person.. anyone who wants to love others well.. and especially anyone who is a Christ follower.
Because:
If we desire to GET more clarity, then we should also be people who GIVE it away.
If we’re going to be clarity TAKERS then we also must be clarity MAKERS.
But.. This part takes initiative.
It doesn’t just happen.
It adds steps that, if we’re honest, we don’t really want to do.
It’s usually something like..
Sacrificing time in your day to sit with an employee and make sure they understand directions and expectations (That they should totally be able to figure out themselves).
Or having a hard conversation with a significant other that you’ve been putting off , like a DTR, “Define the Relationship” (Because obviously you like him or her by the way that you hangout with him or her).
I get it.
I’m with you.
Neither of these examples above sound fun..
They may even feel like a waste of time..
But, THEY WILL ADD CLARITY.
And clarity is kind..
To others and ourselves.
Ultimately, if we do the things we don’t want to do for the sake of clarity, it will be better for them AND YOU in the long run.
It will lead to better relationships, results, and effectiveness down the road. It will make your business more profitable and your partner much happier.
So, if we know this and we believe it, then why don’t we start taking the extra steps?
Here are three things you can do right now:
Be direct and honest - This is simply saying what you mean and meaning what you say. Hard conversations are a part of life. There is no avoiding them. Oftentimes the longer you do, the worse it gets. These situations tend to get murky quick and come around to haunt you later. Instead of avoiding them, be brave. It’s better for everyone.
Set expectations - Expectations, when they are not communicated well, can lead to a lot of anger and frustration. It is hard to live up to someone’s expectations if you don’t even know them. The loving thing to do is to let people know exactly what you are thinking because, contrary to what you might think, people aren’t mind readers.
Offer feedback or advice - If you’re a leader, people want to hear from you. Don’t forget to tell those around you how they are doing openly and honestly. Be encouraging. Remember to point out positives and not just negatives. Telling people things you like about them and that they are good at spurs them forward and lets them know you’re FOR them before potentially giving them something to work on. Encouragement adds clarity.
Let's be brave and show some initiative together.
Let’s be clarity MAKERS and not just clarity TAKERS.
Because..
It will help us all be a little more at ease if we do.