If nothing else, this might be the most creative title for a blog I have ever come up with. Captain Clarity, now there’s a superhero I could use some help from.
Do any of you suffer from “shiny squirrel syndrome”? You know, when you see something that catches your attention and the rest of the world no longer exists.
I don’t know why it is that I always have to be the subject of failure in my posts, but if it helps even one person, more power to me! I try not to hate anything, but the shiny squirrel comes close. That squirrel has caused me a lot of time, money and energy over the years. I see something that I think is cool or I have an idea how it might make my life better so I chase down that squirrel until I catch him.
What I have learned is that shiny squirrels only work if they are in alignment with your purpose. So what is it about the shiny squirrel that causes so much trouble. Let me tell you what I think. The squirrel has to eat and this squirrel doesn’t eat nuts. This squirrel feeds on confusion, on frustration, on depression and mostly on lack of clarity.
I think the reason this squirrel is so prominent in our culture today is because most people lack the clarity they need to make solid decisions. There are so many choices for everything. Some of you are old enough to remember when it was either Folgers or Maxwell House. For those of you who don’t recognize those names, those were the two choices for coffee 30 years ago. Now how many do we have!
Within the last few years I have been on a journey that has brought me absolute clarity on what I want to do with my life. And that clarity keeps me on a clear path to living out my purpose. Now to be honest, I admit I still see those squirrels, but now I just slow down to look for just a quick moment rather than stopping and figuring out how I can fit him in the car.
Alright, I have clearly attempted (I said attempted) to add humor to what I believe is a very serious subject. I don’t think you can live a meaningful, fulfilling life without living out your purpose and I don’t think you can live out your purpose without clarity.
Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating. – Karl Von Clausewitz
I think Clausewitz’ quote is genius. We find uncertainty fascinating. Why? Because it is different and our emotional brain, fascinated by “what if” thinks of all kinds of ways that this uncertainty will result in success. The truth is, if we had the clarity we need, we would have the certainty that would lead to success and we wouldn’t have to guess, hope and play what if.
The point to all this, you don’t need that shiny squirrel to succeed or improve your life. You need the clarity of what it is that truly makes you happy. Get clear on that, and the squirrels aren’t so shiny anymore.
Take some time today to sit quietly, dream a little and identify what it is that truly makes you happy and more importantly why. There will always be another squirrel just around the next corner. Having clarity will allow you to live out your dream and the squirrel, well he can just bury his acorn in peace.
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Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 4/20/13 photo by author
Yes, very important thoughts on aligning with purpose. And, in line with the title of your blog it does help you to build on what matters most while shying away from what matters least.
Have a great weekend,
Lee
Great insight Lee! Thanks so much for the support.
Lovely post Barry. It has provoked my thoughts in a much different light. Some very important highlights as well such as ‘You need the clarity of what it is that truly makes you happy.’
Thanks Yvonne. I have found that clarity to be a catalyst in a much more fulfilled life.
Barry, what a wonderful post. I got a few takeaways while enjoying your writing very much. A great quote: “Shiny squirrels only work if they are in alignment with your purpose.” So… I liked, I went to follow you on Twitter and saw I was already following you, and I posted your article to FB with a strong lead-in.
Thanks for the support Kebba. I appreciate the kind words and encouragement.
Great topic! We’re all a victim to the “shiny squirrel” at one point or another so gaining clarity and staying focused are so important. Thanks for the post. 🙂
Thanks Dina. I much appreciate your continued support and for your efforts in defeating the shiny squirrel in the lives of so many.
I hope I am now over the shiny squirrel. I do see a ton of shiny squirrels around the internet in the form of copy cats! And that is ok, if it is authentic but often I do see people try to do just what the other person is doing only to fail and complain about what didn’t work for them. Going back to your article, I would say that it is because it wasn’t aligned with their business, heart or core skill sets. Now, I do love shiny jewelry but now I drool over it and walk away and squirrel away my money! (Did you like that?)
Great insight Sabrina and I like the creativity. Following your passion definitely acts as squirrel repellent.
So many shiny squirrels around me. All the gadgets, tv shows and even social media at times. Thanks for bringing me back on purpose with this post!
Thanks Blair. You make a great point about “bringing me back on purpose.” When we start moving away from that, we start missing out on what is truly important to us.
Barry, I agree that….SQUIRREL….! Oh, where was I? Yes, clarity is so important. I too have been thinking a lot about it.
Thanks for the continued support Dan. Clarity is so important to keep us on the right path. Keep up the great work in the Lead With Giants community.
Oh yes, the shiny squirrel… I shot mine! Unfortunately, his brothers occasionally make an appearance.
Clarity is important, and once you have it then it’s much easier to take aim on that squirrel. Thanks for the reminder to reflect and gain focus 🙂
Thanks Jan for the graphic, yet appropriate description of dealing with your squirrels.
There are so many tempting diversions out there that leaders really need to stay focused and follow what is really important to them. Thanks for sharing your insights, Barry and when I become distracted, I will certainly think of your shiny squirrel metaphor to help me re-gain my clarity.
Thanks so much for the continued support Terri. I appreciate you bring “leaders” into the conversation. As leaders, we must be much more protective of the squirrel – he is pretty sneaky and is always trying to get in – wherever he can.
Thank you for this thoughtful post… Shouting “Squirrel” is an actual long-standing joke in my team! However one defines success, its genesis is purpose from which we can create goals.
Thanks Dennie. I think there is much value in your comment. Goals should be developed from the purpose. Well said.
Right on the money Barry.
I think that people need a Compass they can refer to when aligning behaviour with purpose. This uses an intermediate concept between purpose and goals which is DIRECTION. Directions can be described behaviourally so it makes it easier to align behaviour when surrounded by the chaos of choice that technology has generated for us.
I took this from my clinical work where people often live in mental chaos and applied it to business performance where it seems to work equally well.