“I can see clearly now the rain is gone.”
In the physical realm, what blocks our vision is material - tall trees, a hill, a building, weather - but what most often blocks our vision for work and life is the metaphorical “rain” in our minds. Worries about the future or guilt about the past show up and obscure our view of the present and of what’s possible.
“I can see all obstacles in my way.”
Often, the obstacles to our preferred path forward come in the form of seemingly reasonable and pragmatic inner voices that tell us to keep safe and not rock the boat.
How many times have you been in a meeting, thinking it could have been an email, and later come to find out others were thinking the same thing, but also said nothing?
We don’t speak up because we are afraid of conflict or of not being liked by everyone. And so work, and life, continue on with wasted time and opportunities because of “obstacles.”
I’m not saying there aren’t real challenges to listening to the voice in your head calling you to a better present and future. As someone once said, “The only people without problems are in the graveyard.”
I am saying the initial challenge to becoming better, to honoring your true voice is in clearing away the rain and sorting through the obstacle-defining voices that occupy your mind.
It’s not easy to do this alone.
Believe me, I’ve tried. (And I’m guessing you have too.)
Over and over, I’ve started down the path following my voice towards a different future only to be stopped by the other “reasonable” internal voices of fear, worry and doubt.
“It’s gonna be a bright, bright, bright, sunshiny day.”
And so I found perspective partners, people who could listen carefully, ask opening questions, and see from a different view.
With their support, I began to cut through my obscured view to make sense of the potential forward path and what the real obstacles might be. They helped me weigh the options to begin to see more clearly. Their work opened the way for the real potential of clarity and sustained forward progress every single day.
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If you’re experiencing any “rainy days” in your life and work, let’s talk.
I help others become better by giving them a space to hear themselves think and feel and then decide what to do. I can’t change the weather, but I can collaborate with you to create your sunny day.
(Thank you to Johnny Nash for the song, “I Can See Clearly Now”)
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