Quote
“If a pond is clouded with mud, there’s nothing you can do to make the water clear. But when you allow the mud to settle, it will clear on its own, because clarity is the water’s natural state.”
Jamie Smart, Transformational Coach
Source: Clarity by Jamie Smart
Reflection
I remember reading this quote for the first time, and it having a profound effect. Jamie is reminding us that our minds are sometimes like this muddy pond.
When there’s so much going on, and we can’t seem to think straight. And the remedy he suggests is that we must allow our minds to simply settle from time to time.
In order to make the best decisions and judgements in our day-to-day lives, and in the workplace, we need to be calm and clear.
How often have we been guilty of rushing into decision-making, or have we been rather too quick to respond to comments, and wish we hadn’t?
How many times have we thought that if we had been more level-headed, we could have made better decisions?
How many times have we woken up with the answer or solution, or even an alternative response to a problem, the mind having been allowed to ‘settle’ during sleep?
Moreover, how much time do we allow ourselves to just settle?
You may call it ‘relax’. You may call it ‘switch off’. You may call it ‘unplug’. (This is my favourite!)
Just for a few moments.
Maybe that’s all your incredibly active mind needs.
Because the natural state of your mind before all the thinking and the overthinking is that of clarity.
Until next week,
Ged Roberts
Author and Mindset Mentor