Video excerpt from the EOS Lead Now Webinar: Leading In A Time Of Crisis. Watch the complete video here.
If youโre an entrepreneur or a business leader and youโre feeling โfrozen in place,โ youโll want to get unstuck as soon as possible so you can lead your company and your people. In the best of times, youโll hear us at EOS talking about the importance of taking regularly-scheduled Clarity Breaksโข. We feel that now is a critical time for Clarity Breaks, so weโve dedicated an entire Lead Now session, as well as this blog, to be a โClarity Break 101.โWhat Is A Clarity Break?
A Clarity Break is a set-aside time where you have the intention to just think. During this dedicated thinking time, you get clear on whatโs important, what needs to be done and whatโs holding you back. Clarity Breaks are essential for leaders to get re-focused. โWhenever weโre not clear about where to take the next step, we freeze. If youโre going to freeze, you need to step down and let another leader take your place,โ advises EOS Co-Founder Don Tinney.
Right Now: How To Take A Clarity Break
Here are some tips on having a productive Clarity Break.- Put it on your calendar
- Pick a block of time, schedule an appointment with yourself, then keep it. If you wait around for the right time to appear, it wonโt.
- Work โonโ the business
- This is not a time to catch up on email or get your to-dos done. This is time to step back and think, to create clarity, and restore your confidence. Clarity Breaks are thinking time.
- Bring a notebook
- We recommend having a notepad or journal handy during your Clarity Breaks to record your thoughts and make lists.
- Get away from the office
- A Clarity Break should never be in your office. You have to go to a place where your thoughts are uninterrupted, away from the daily grind.
Clarity Break Dos and Donโts
A Clarity Break is not a vacation, nor does it mean totally checking out of work. Itโs also a bit more involved than simply taking a walk around the block and talking to yourself. โMaybe 15 minutes every morning would be enough to get you connected to what you want to do,โ advises OโDonnell.Hereโs a list of Clarity Break โDosโ
- Set aside time on your calendar, whatever works best for you
- Get out of your office and go to a quiet place where you arenโt distracted
- Focus โonโ the business
Donโt:
- Put it off โkeep your appointment with yourself!
- Have electronics around to distract
- Try to solve everything in one Clarity Break
Use This Time To Prepare You For Whatโs Ahead
Your Clarity Breaks should not only contain reflection on what is directly in front of you but also how to plan for the months ahead. Think forward to what may happen at the end of the current crisis if youโre in a business where people want what you have but they canโt have it right now. There will be a time of pent-up demand coming that may create a surge for your business and youโll want to be clear on what and who you need to meet that demand. Regular Clarity Breaks will help you โunfreezeโ and find the energy and focus needed to step up and do what needs to be done. Jill Young, Certified EOS Implementerยฎ, offers this advice: โWe owe it to our companies to give them clarity and confidence right now so we have to have it as leaders ourselves. This Clarity Break tool is just a way to do that. Donโt get caught up in the mechanics, just do it.โ If youโre not taking Clarity Breaks, what is keeping you from taking them? Comment below!Go Deeper: Additional Resources About Clarity Breaks
- The Importance of Clarity Breaks by Ed Callahan
- Commit to Clarity Break Thoughts by Chris Naylor
- Clarity Break Thoughts blog
NEXT STEPS:
- Download the Issues Solving Trackโข from the EOS Toolboxโข๏ธ to learn how to IDS (Identify, Discuss, and Solve) issues more effectively.
- Learn to make decisions faster and better by downloading a copy of our free EOS eBook, Decide!
- Download a free chapter of Traction by Gino Wickman
