We all have a lot going on in our lives. From money to work deadlines, the list of things we worry about can often feel overwhelming. 

Clarity by Jamie Smart aims to help us deal with those issues by changing the way we think and teaching us about the way our minds work. It promotes the concept of "inside-out" thinking - the idea that we create our realities in our own minds. 

It is a must-read for anyone in a leadership position. 

In this detailed book review and summary, we’ll discuss how the author defines “clarity” and how he recommends we achieve it in our daily lives.

Ready? Let’s go! 

The Definition of Clarity

Smart defines clarity a little differently than the rest of us.

He believes it is an "inside-out" paradigm. Unfortunately, most of us have an "outside-in" view of the world. To test your perspective, ask yourself if you've ever had any of the following thoughts:

• “I’ll be happy when I get promoted at work.”

• “I’ll be happy when I lose weight.”

• “I’ll be happy when I get married.”

• “I’ll be happy when I have kids.”

• “I’ll be happy when I travel the world.”

In all of these scenarios, there's an underlying assumption that I need to get “there” and that “there” is better than “here.”

In other words, they believe “[circumstance] causes [core state].”

Smart believes people who use this formula will turn themselves into an "achievement machine," but will never reach a state of contentment. They’ll find themselves trapped on a hidden hamster wheel.

“The outside-in misunderstanding turns life into an unwinnable game … when we look to the outside world for our happiness, security, and peace of mind, we’re looking in the wrong direction.”

Put simply, your experience of the world does not come from external achievements. It is generated from inside you. Consider, for example, the act of dreaming:

A person can be asleep and dreaming that they're in the front row at a symphony hall, only to wake up and discover that the music in their dream was coming from the TV next to their bed. Conversely, a person can be sitting in a business meeting, but have their focus of attention entirely absorbed in a daydream about their favorite sports team.

The process that's generating your perceptual experience is identical whether it originates in your imagination, your memories, or your senses.

“Our experience of reality is, quite literally, created from 'the stuff that dreams are made of.'"

Smart calls the outside-in paradigm "superstitious thinking." He believes clarity - knowing that our thoughts make up our reality - helps us reach peak performance, makes us more resilient, and gives us peace of mind. Ultimately, it will allow our brains to be able to shape our reality toward things that fulfill and nourish us.

How to Achieve Clarity

So, clarity leads to happiness. Great! But exactly how do we achieve clarity? How do we get our minds to construct a more positive reality? 

This question may seem complex, but Smart believes the answer is simple.

All we need to do is get rid of the distractions that bombard us every second of every day. Sit back and let your brain reset itself. There is nothing else for us to “do, think about, or implement.”

Smart says happiness comes from within, and he believes clarity comes from having a clear mind.

“When we have a clear head, we have everything we need for the  job at hand …when you’ve got nothing on your mind, you’re free to give your best.”

Smart believes clarity opens up what’s in our nature - to learn, to grow, and to evolve:

“The tree continues growing. The tree doesn’t ‘work on’ growing. It just grows. Growing is its nature.”

Smart recalls the story of Tim, a client of his:

“Tim is an entrepreneur with several successful businesses, and was used to experiencing all the stress and pressure that can bring. Then he started exploring innate thinking and found himself becoming increasingly present, patient and resourceful. As he started having insights into where the stress and pressure were actually coming from, they began to reduce. He now stays calm in situations that used to aggravate him, and it's paying off. 

Tim's work involves a lot of high-value negotiations, and his new calm new demeanor has been worth many tens of thousands of deals in contracts won...‘Feeling calm and being able to handle pressure is priceless, but bills don't pay themselves. What's really great is the fact that I can put a financial value on this understanding.’”

In the book, Smart equates clarity to the 3D pictures that were common in the 90s. At first, those images looked like simple two-dimensional patterns. The harder you focused, the more sure you were that the poster was two-dimensional.

However, once you relaxed your gaze, a clearer picture started to emerge. The two-dimensional image you initially saw melted away, and a three-dimensional poster appeared in its place.

The same logic holds true in our day-to-day lives. If we focus on the distractions, the distractions are all we will see. But if we free our minds, we’ll see the world the way it truly is.

Final Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed Clarity by Jamie Smart. I found that the methodologies outlined in the book helped me view issues from a new perspective and allowed me to redefine what success means to me. 

If you are a business leader or a career professional, I highly recommend reading this book. The insights of a state-of-mind specialist like Smart could have a profound impact on your life.

You can grab your copy of Clarity on Amazon.

As you read through the book, I suggest asking yourself the following questions:

• Do I believe clarity is my natural state of mind?

• How often do I experience real clarity of thought?

• How often do I have a cluttered mind?

• What is one way I can become more aware of my thought patterns?

The answers to these questions will help you understand where you are on your clarity journey.

I’ve already ordered Smart’s follow-up book, The Little Book of Clarity. If it is as insightful as this one, I’ll be sure to write a summary!

If you’d like my next book review to go straight to your inbox, subscribe to my newsletter! 

About The Author

Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense. 

Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.