CLARITY QUEST

THE SIMPLE NEWSLETTER - ISSUE # 005

Frustration and doubt can make you question if you're on the right path. But clarity doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from action. In this edition of The Simple Newsletter, we’ll break the cycle of self-doubt with a simple system for reflection and accountability. Progress isn’t about working harder; it’s about working with intention. Let’s dive in.

ADAM'S THOUGHT

"Why is this happening to me?"

It's a question you might ask when that heavy feeling of frustration sets in. You find yourself looking outward, comparing, and wondering why their lives seem to align so well when you’re putting in all the effort, working hard, yet progress feels miles away.

You walk a fine line between disbelief and hope—questioning whether you’re fooling yourself or if you just need to push a little harder, hold on a little longer. But skepticism creeps in. Maybe even imposter syndrome. You start to doubt if you are who you say you are, capable of doing what you believe you can, and offering your best to others.

It’s a cycle of emotion. Perhaps you’ve helped others reach their goals, yet you feel they didn’t help you reach yours. Is that the truth? Is it perception? Are you lying to yourself, or is everyone truly taking advantage of you?

Maybe you believe you’re doing the right thing, but you haven’t found someone who understands you, someone running on the same frequency. Or maybe, just maybe, the right thing you’re doing isn’t at the level necessary to reach the version of yourself you’re striving for.

And there you sit. Thinking. Feeling. You’ve been here before, haven’t you? Yet, instead of addressing it, you push those thoughts aside when something on your to-do list demands attention. But when you're alone in those fleeting, quiet moments, that nagging feeling rears its head again.

It asks, “Are we going to deal with this, or not?”

You distract yourself again, because deep down, you don’t know if you’re right, if you’re wrong, or how to start figuring it out.

ADAM'S LESSON

Here’s a simple yet effective way to untangle those emotions and bring clarity to your thoughts and actions—and yes, as a coach, I’ll say that coaching can help. But this process starts with you and honest self-reflection.

Here’s how you can try it for just two days this week:

Start Each Morning with Honesty (10 Minutes)

Sit down and write out your thoughts. Reflect on where you had hoped your life would be by now. Not what you daydream about, but what you’ve actually done to create that life. Ask yourself:

What do I truly desire?

What do I know is achievable?

Put it all down—a vision of where you are and the steps you’ve taken so far.

Track Your Actions (30-Minute Intervals)

Throughout the day, track everything you do. Be as detailed or as general as you want. For example:

Worked out

Answered emails

Met with a client

Write it all down in 30-minute increments from when you wake up to when you fall asleep.

Assess and Color-Code

At the end of two days, look at your actions. Print it out or write it down if you can. Then, go through item by item and ask two questions:

Did this move me closer to my goal?

Did I enjoy this, or did I force myself to do it?

Circle the positives in green—actions that align with your goals and bring satisfaction. Label the negatives in red—things that pulled you away or drained you.

Adjust and Plan Next Steps

Now, use this insight to map out the next two days as if they were written entirely in green. Focus on replacing red with green, action by action.

This exercise does something powerful—it removes the guesswork. You’re left with a clear picture of whether your actions align with your vision. It’s honest, it’s eye-opening, and more importantly, it’s actionable.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Achievement is hard. Life doesn’t hand you progress neatly packaged with a bow on top. You may not have the luxury of hiring someone to help you reflect, plan, and execute. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it for yourself.

What you can’t afford is to bury your head in the sand any longer. Pull yourself out. Look in the mirror and decide if the person looking back is who you truly imagine yourself to be.

No more guessing. No more hoping. Write it down. See it in black and white. And then, Do The Thing.

With simplicity,

Adam

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