Essentialists - Shine : 20 secrets to a happy life

C LARITY IS SUCH A SIMPLE WORD, and such an essential part of motivation and inspiration in life. To know who you are, where you are going and how you want to get there lightens your load and brightens the journey. Clarity in life allows you to move from the passenger to the drivers seat, to take control and get excited about the road of opportunity ahead.

Leaders, game changers, outstanding communicators and authentically happy people are masters of self-connection, awareness and understanding the basics of their why. They are in touch with their purpose, cause or the beliefs that get them up and going every morning.

Without clarity you can find yourself relying solely on others opinions and approval and staying in your comfort zone instead of taking some well-thought-through risks to advance forward. You may find yourself being defensive and at the same time not fully open to accepting compliments and praise.

Touching base every day with essential powerful questions to keep you connected with your mindset, your heart space, your purpose and your ultra-inspired self is a habit worth cultivating. The answers lie within you and the means of seeking them out will build your self-esteem and cut through the fog in your mind and day-to-day living.

Once the answers are clear, you will be able to hear your own voice and find your unique pathway, not someone elses. You will be focused on bringing value to your life rather than comparing yourself with others and getting caught up in the world of distraction, procrastination and mindless, meaningless entertainment. Focus, inspiration, motivation, happiness, vision and a forward pathway will open up to allow you to find the inner calm and harmony that we need and crave. This clarity will allow you to give without resentment and to embrace each and every day.

Clarity starts with asking yourself the most powerful questions and thinking about them until your answers are clear. Vague questions with vague answers lead to vague results, and will end up with you feeling like you are just existing rather than grabbing life by the horns and launching into it with great intention. So, take a little time to drill down and find crystal-clear clarity on the basic foundations of You Inc. Higher quality, simple questions lead to better results and outcomes in life, both personally and professionally.

If you have a big and hearty understanding of your why , you will always figure out the what and the how . If you dont have clarity around your personal BIG why , youll always use the what and the how as an excuse for not doing, living and being the absolute best and most thriving version of yourself.

To get you closer to your true self again, to connect with your own personal foundation, the core of who you are and what your life journey is about, start with asking yourself these simple yet powerful questions:

• What or who is most important to me?
• What do I want right now?
• Who and/or what inspires me?
• What made me happiest as a child?
• If I didnt have fear, what would I do moving forward?
• If I didnt have a job, what would I do with my day?
• What am I putting up with right now?
• What do I want my life to look like in three years time? What mindset would serve me better moving forward?
• Where do I sabotage myself mentally, physically and emotionally?
• How do I want to be remembered?

Clarity will assist you to acquire the skill of being adaptable in life to whatever situation you find yourself in. It will guide you to make decisions that support you rather than sabotage you. Self-esteem is built on self-respect, integrity and authenticity, which come from a basic knowledge and connection with your mind, heart and body. Knowing the answers to the questions will always help you to feel your authentic self once again, to be at ease with yourself physically and to develop a healthy and positive attitude to life.

To have longevity in your career, relationships and wellbeing both personally and professionally, gain some clarity and master the ability to adapt to change without losing who you are.

Y OUR ENVIRONMENT SAYS A LOT about your state of confidence in life. Clean, open, soul-nourishing spaces give your body and mind room to breathe, grow and maintain perspective. Your surroundings significantly impact your attitudes, experience of life and happiness and can dictate the base level of stress you may experience each day. When you are in a simple, clean, organised and bright space you tap into your productive, motivated and more energetic self, which lifts life to new heights.