Sometimes thoughts just come to us. Ideas suddenly appear and the answers are clear!
Near the end of his book The War of Art, Steven Pressfield explores what often is mysterious to us. How do we seem to conjure thoughts where there were none before? How do we gain clarity seemingly from nowhere, when just minutes before we were hazy?
Everyday Moments of Inspiration
He says, “Insights pop into our heads while we’re shaving or taking a shower or even, amazingly, while we’re actually working. The elves behind this are smart. If we forget something, they remind us. If we veer off course, they trim the tabs and steer us back.”
This happens to me a lot! It is not infrequent that I have a thought that I have no idea where it came from. I think to myself, “That was not something I knew that I knew.”
More surprisingly, this happens for me in development or coaching conversations. Somehow I will know just the right thing to say or the right question to ask. I know that I am not consciously responsible for this wisdom. But I am immensely grateful for it!
Where Knowledge Comes From
There are the practical ways in which we can come by knowledge. If we remain curious, we have ample places to turn to for new insights:
Knowledgeable People
Discuss important topics; ask good questions and intentionally retain the pieces that are most helpful to us.
Books, Articles, and Blog Posts
The more you read, the more you retain, either consciously or unconsciously. I think this is where a lot of my insight comes from. I often say, “I can’t remember where I read this, but I saw somewhere that…”
Intuition and Gut
As Malcolm Gladwell points out in Blink, our intuition is often a collection of previous experiences that shows up in the present moment as not firm knowledge but a sense of what to do or what decision to make.
In a short article written for the Harvard Business Review, Daniel Goleman and Richard Boyatzis assert that this intuition is a critical part of becoming a “finely attuned” leader. They suggest that a lack of trust in our own intuition can cause us to act (or not act) with more caution than effective leaders tend to exercise.
Divine Presence
Belief in a higher power or a being that is all-knowing can be a source of wisdom. In those moments we have reached the end of our abilities, I believe there is an external entity that brings us what we need. For me, that is my Christian God, and I have experienced this source of wisdom frequently.
Tapping Into Your Own Sources of Clarity
Just as there are various sources of wisdom, there are various ways to embrace your own curious nature. These tactics can increase the probability that inspiration will occur, or wisdom will be tapped. I have found if I am at least one of these three things, I am much more likely to gain knowledge.
Being Present
Being fully present in the moment allows me the space to filter through all of the information coming at me and discern what I need to learn from the person or resource.
Being Nonjudgmental or Unbiased
Remaining open to new ideas even if they are wearing the clothing of something we think we already know. This one is tough for many of us, me included. It is often easy, or convenient, for us to quickly identify the similarities between what is being offered and what we think we have already decided. This is an especially high risk regarding subject matter in which you believe yourself to be somewhat of an expert.
Not Talking
It is difficult to allow for inspiration if your mind is occupied with what words need to be said next. While it is true that “talking things through” is often a beneficial tactic, I would argue that it results in clarity of thought more than allowing for inspiration to be introduced.
Under what circumstances do things become clear for you? Where do you draw inspiration from? What gives you wisdom and informs your insights?
Take the Next Step Toward Clarity
If you’re curious about how to tap into greater clarity in your own leadership or team, let’s connect:
No obligation—just a chance to explore how clarity can be your foundation for better decisions, confident leadership, and thriving teams.
