Clarity Comes from Engagement

“Clarity comes from engagement, not thought.”

– Marie Forleo, Everything is Figureoutable

In other words, if you want clarity on something in your life, you must take ACTION.

Sounds obvious, I know. And yet, how often do we sit and stew on a question or decision we are facing in our lives…thinking ourselves in circles, then wondering why we can’t get clarity on the matter?

I know I do.

Have you read Marie Forleo’s outstanding book, Everything is Figureoutable? If not, it’s fab!

If you are not familiar with Marie Forleo, she is an entrepreneur, writer, philanthropist and host of Marie TV. I have been a fan of Marie’s for years and thoroughly enjoy her podcasts.

Whether it’s her TV show, podcasts, book or e-mails, Marie is the real deal. She is brilliant, funny, candid and says it like it is. She is a savvy and successful woman whose insights resonate because they’re true:

“Clarity comes from engagement, not thought. Write that down. Memorize it. Tattoo it on your tush. Whenever you’re trapped in the hell of indecision, do something about it as quickly as possible. Find a way to take a tangible, real action and you’ll be rewarded with priceless feedback to inform your next steps.”

– Marie Forleo, Everything is Figureoutable

For clarity’s sake 😊 I am going to repeat that last line: when you take action, you will be rewarded feedback in the form of the next step you need to take.

Because that’s usually what we need most: clarity on what to do next.

If it is a major decision we are facing, the big answer likely won’t come to us as we sit on our couch, thinking ourselves into a tizzy.

And so on. Once we start to experience the possible pros and cons of our decision, we begin to gain clarity. Then one day…the big answer will come.

“When you’re stuck in a paralyzing thought loop of indecision, stop thinking and start doing. Make a move, no matter how tiny. Find (or make) a way to do a real-world experiment. Action is the fastest and most direct route to clarity.”

– Marie Forleo, Everything is Figureoutable

If you are struggling to find clarity on a big (or small) decision, what step could you take next?

Maryanne Pope is the author of A Widow’s Awakening, the playwright of Saviour and the screenwriter of God’s Country. Maryanne is CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and Chair of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. If you would like to receive her weekly blog, please sign up here.