Clarity can be a lightning bolt of inspiration. Or it can be a realization that grows gradually over time. It can be a first impression that hits you as soon as you walk into a room. Or it can be the kind of understanding you can only achieve with the distance and perspective of time. There are many paths to inner clarity. The best path is the one that works for you.
Have you ever had an “Aha!” moment? You were struggling with a problem, banging your head against the proverbial wall and getting nowhere, until you just gave up and walked away. Then, while doing something else, probably some mundane task, the answer just came to you. It was there all along. You just had to relax enough to see it. That’s the way inspiration works. We can become so fixated on a problem, that we don’t see the simple solutions all around us. When we relax and allow our subconscious or inner sensitivity to function, we can start to find the answers we’re looking for.
There are many ways to relax. Taking a deep breath is a good first step. Physical exercise, meditation or doing some activity, like a small home improvement project or something creative are all ways to relax and “get out of our heads”. Have you heard the phrase “sleep on it”? Sometimes a good night’s rest or a short nap can provide clarity. Famous thinkers from Albert Einstein to Salvador Dali have perfected the short nap (no more than nine minutes!) as a technique for finding inspiration.
Sometimes we need to do a bit of fact finding to achieve clarity. There are four basic facts that, when pinned down, will go a long way toward clarifying any situation. They are known as the “four W’s”: the What, When, Where and Why.
- “What” is the definition of the problem or project. What is it that you want to achieve? The What is a simple, clear statement of your goal without a lot of details.
- “When” is the timing. When is the best time for this project to occur? When does it need to be completed? The When sets the clock ticking and gives you a sense for the pace you need to keep in order to accomplish your goal.
- “Where” is the location, the physical place the action will occur.
- “Why” is the most important W of all. It states why this project is important. What problem is it solving? Why do you want it to occur? The Why defines the reason you are involved and gives you the motivation to see your plans through to completion.
Once the four W’s are pinned down, there is a fifth W that becomes obvious all on its own: the “Whom”. Who will benefit? The Who is where your fulfillment lies, because it clarifies to whom your project will be of service. Think of the tremendous feeling of satisfaction you will have when your project is completed and it is helping other people or yourself.
Clarifying the four W’s not only clarifies things for you, but also it helps the universe know what you want. It sets your intention and prepares you to receive help. The next time you have a problem or project, try writing down the four W’s. Once done, you will probably start to see all sorts of “next steps” you can do to reach your goal,and doors will open to help that you hadn’t expected.
There is a saying, “If you can imagine it, you can do it”. It’s true. You wouldn’t be able to conceive of something if you didn’t have the basis for being able to create it. You can live your dream; you just need to be certain it is something you really want. If it is, then go for it!
There is a limitless supply of inspiration available. Life can begin to feel like a continuous stream of “aha!” moments. By relaxing and putting your dreams into action, you can achieve inner clarity and accomplish more than you ever thought possible. And you may also find that the problem you thought you had, simply isn’t a problem at all.
