Finding Clarity and Balance

I’ve been frequently giving advice where I remind people that “clear is kind.” I read this phrase in Dare to Lead by Brené Brown and it really resonated with me. She emphasizes that being direct and straightforward is essential in good communication, even when it's challenging. This has come up when I’ve given advice on networking; be clear in your intentions for going to an event and know what you hope to gain. It has come up in advice on job seeking; be clear on the role you want and the culture you expect. It even came up in a talk on giving and receiving feedback; be clear and specific when coaching to ensure the recipient can take in the message.

I’m known for being a pretty direct person, so being clear with others hasn’t been much of an issue for me. However, I’ve been terrible about being clear and kind with myself. Sometimes, I find myself feeling down or frustrated and I need help figuring out the source of my angst. After some research and discussions with my dear friend Melissa Aarskaug, we came up with the acronym BALANCE. Balance is a series of questions I can ask myself to see what aspect of my life needs attention.

·       B=Belonging: Do you feel supported and included by your community and friends?

·       A=Affluence: Are you financially stability and building toward your goals?"

·       L=Love: Do you feel connected and nurtured by your family and loved ones?"

·       A=Activity: Are you making time for joy and rest?"

·       N=Nourishment: Are you fueling your body and mind well?"

·       C=Curiosity: Are you actively learning, growing, and investing in your development?"

·       E=Empowerment: Do you feel confident, aligned and in control?"

For every “yes”, I dive deeper into what makes me feel that way. It makes me feel grateful for what I have and gives me clarity on my values. For every “no”, I ask why not and try to take action to turn it around.

It can be easy to attribute happiness, or the lack of it, to external factors like salary, job title, co-workers, loved ones, etc. But being clear on my values, strengths, and long-term goals, helps me pursue opportunities that energize instead of drain me. Going through the BALANCE questions puts a lot of the power and next steps into my own hands. Whether it’s a new job, more family time, or a different workout routine, knowing what I truly need, helps me clarify my goals and know where to focus my efforts. Clarity isn’t about having every detail figured out, it’s about knowing what matters most and letting that guide my choices. It’s how to find happiness in your career, how to show up as a strong leader, and how to stay grounded in a fast-moving world.

The bottom line is that we all need to take the time to get clear and find balance. Our careers, and our joy depend on it.