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Clarity Check-In
Before you add more, pause to ask... is this aligned?
Jimmy Helmick
June 23, 2025
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Last week, I was feeling a little overwhelmed, so sat down to write out everything on my plate. Some of it made sense. Some of it felt heavy. What started as a to-do list turned into a wake-up call. What deserved my attention, time and energy? What didn’t? I was able to sort out the essential few from the trivial many. I immediately felt lighter and more focused. All it took was a little time to slow down and reflect. The truth is, life moves fast. If we don’t pause now and then, we end up carrying things that no longer fit where we’re headed. It could be 60 seconds to consider that purchase. It could mean five minutes on a park bench or sitting in the grass. It could be a journaling session, mediation, yoga, running, etc. A small dose of intentionality can make a huge difference. |  |
Make it Simple
Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is stop everything for a minute just to breathe and reconnect with what matters.
Clarity shows up when we slow down enough to listen, and there’s research behind this.
People who reflect for even 15 minutes a day tend to perform better, feel more confident, and live with more purpose. A quick check-in gives us perspective. It helps us notice what’s working and where our energy is actually going.
When your days are full, small moments of clarity matter even more.
A short pause can bring a fresh sense of direction. You start to recognize what supports your goals, what feels right for this season of your life, and what’s just noise.
Bill Gates takes something he calls “Think Week” twice a year. He goes off the grid with a stack of books and uses the time to read, reflect, and reset. No meetings. No distractions. Just time to think.
Most of us can’t disappear to a cabin for a week, but we can borrow the idea. A short walk. A few quiet minutes in the car. A quick journal entry after the kids go to bed.
It all helps. The goal is just a little space.
So this week, choose clarity.
Choose alignment.
When you focus on what matters, everything else gets lighter..
Daily Doables
Monday:
Write down everything you’ve committed to. Work, home, life, etc. No filtering. Just get it all out.
Tuesday:
Circle the three items that matter most to you right now. Use your values as your guide.
Wednesday:
Find one thing you can pause, postpone, or stop. You don’t have to do it all.
Thursday:
Ask yourself what you wish you had more space for. Let that be your new filter.
Friday:
Clear one thing that doesn’t align. An email, a meeting, a mental loop. Let it go.
Saturday:
Take 15 minutes to sit still, walk, or write. No goal aside from just listening to what’s underneath the noise.
Sunday:
Look ahead to next week and protect time for what matters. Block it off now, before it fills up!
Parting Points
Clarity won’t usually shout at you. It will whisper to you in quiet moments. So this week, make a little space for it.
It might tell you something you’ve been needing to hear.
Yours in Simplicity,
P.S.
If this week’s clarity check-in hit home, and you’re ready for a deeper shift, I’ve opened up four coaching spots where you can name your own price.
No catch. Just a real conversation, real support, and a chance to simplify your life in a way that actually sticks.
If you’re curious, reply to this email or book a clarity call here. Let’s talk and see if it’s the right fit.
Clarity starts with one step. This might be the next one for you.
Sources & References
Di Stefano, G., et al. (2014)
Learning by Thinking: How Reflection Aids Performance, Harvard Business School.
→ Found that 15 minutes of daily reflection significantly improved performance outcomes.Danziger, S., et al. (2011)
Extraneous Factors in Judicial Decisions, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
→ Demonstrated the impact of decision fatigue on judgment throughout the day.Hill, P. L., & Turiano, N. A. (2014)
Purpose in Life as a Predictor of Mortality Across Adulthood, Psychological Science.
→ Linked a strong sense of life purpose to greater longevity and well-being.Pennebaker, J. W. (1997)
Writing to Heal: A Guided Journal for Recovering from Trauma and Emotional Upheaval.
→ Extensive research on journaling’s impact on emotional and physical health.Gates, B.
Documented practice of “Think Week” retreats for uninterrupted reading and reflection.
→ Featured in Inside Bill’s Brain (Netflix), The Wall Street Journal, and GatesNotes.Weiner, J.
Publicly advocated for scheduled “white space” on calendars to support strategic thinking.
→ Referenced in Harvard Business Review and LinkedIn leadership talks.Kethledge, R., & Erwin, M. (2017)
Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude.
→ Explores the role of solitude in improving clarity, creativity, and leadership.
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