As you know, I use the Entrepreneur Operating System, or EOS® with my clients. One of the most vital parts of the system, and something that greatly helps my clients, is as simple as taking time for yourself – a Clarity Break™.

An EOS® Clarity Break™ is a regular meeting you have with yourself to work “on” rather than “in” your business. To schedule, do whatever works for you – an hour a day, an hour a week, or an afternoon a month. No matter how you choose to do it, you need to schedule it like you would any other meeting.

Don’t try to fit it into your day; for example, do it in the morning before you go to the office. In addition, taking a short Clarity Break™ any time you’re struggling with a problem will help you step back and see it more clearly.

Regularly taking this break is a vital component of EOS® and will help you step back from your CEO daily routine to think. It’s uninterrupted time to look at the big picture and think about where you want the business to go and the challenges you face. Plus, you can strategize your next moves and get clear on products and services you want to provide.

How The Clarity Break™ Works

When it’s just you, honesty bubbles up, and you’ll become clear on your goals and daily steps to reach them. The longer and more frequently you can take your break, the better. Eventually, you’ll start asking yourself deeper questions, such as:

Is this project working and why or why not?

Would that program be truly aligned with our mission and vision?

Is that employee a good fit for the position we just promoted her into?

Are we on track to hit this goal, or do we need to change course?

Was X a good decision, or not?  

Also, while on your break, don’t focus solely on things that need to be analyzed and perhaps improved. Celebrate your wins and yeses too. Remind yourself of how far you’ve come and how you’ve succeeded.  

Certainly, this break helps you step back and see what’s going on in all areas of your business. It helps you better lead, grow, and create.

Follow Your Instincts

During this alone, quiet time, your brain and your instincts will work together. You’ll ask yourself questions you might not be able to during the busy-ness of the day. Also, you’ll have the time to answer those questions.

When your gut gives you a message, you’ll have time to explore it rather than ignoring it or telling yourself you’ll go back to it. Also, if you don’t take the time to capture your ideas or light-bulb moments, they’ll disappear, perhaps forever. If you don’t think about your business, you’ll miss so much.

A Clarity Break™ can be scary because truth will surface, and you may have to face some things you don’t want to. However, if you don’t face what needs attention, what happens to your business? When you take breaks, you and your brain can face those things together and work on a solution.

If you feel overwhelmed, irritated, or lacking direction, that’s a clue it’s time for a Clarity Break™. You can also take breaks with your Integrator, but don’t substitute those for breaks with yourself.  

You’ll be surprised how much you can bring up and hash out with yourself in that short time.

Take a Clarity Break™ Right Now! 

Stop what you’re doing, grab something to write on and something to write with, and leave. Find a quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted and can’t be distracted. Let your mind wander and let the thoughts flow. Write them down with no judgment or editing - simply capture them.

When you’re done brainstorming, look at what you have, and your gut will tell you the next steps. Listen to those feelings, and act on them.

If you’d like to share your clarity “a-has” with me, let me know.

Rinse and repeat regularly.