Crunch the numbers
This isn't for everyone I know, but I like to review my budget. I made a google sheet of my expenses vs my income. Having a clear plan really does calm my nerves.
Need for Clarity
Evidence
Clear information can lower cognitive load and prevent costly misunderstandings. This need may motivate simplifying, summarizing, and verifying meanings. Reliable clarity enhances coordination and confidence.
Details about the rewritten claim
People function much better when information is clear – unambiguous communication reduces the mental effort (“cognitive load”) required to understand, and it helps avoid misunderstandings that can be costly. The need for clarity may push us to simplify our messages, summarize key points, and double-check that everyone interprets things the same way. In education and work contexts, research shows that clarity in instructions or feedback lowers confusion and error rates. A dramatic illustration comes from healthcare: about 80% of serious medical errors have been traced to communication failures (unclear or incomplete information) rather than lack of skill. By ensuring reliable clarity – communicating in a straightforward, transparent manner – groups achieve better coordination, and individuals feel more confident in what they’re doing.
Supporting sources
- discussion on how clarity reduces cognitive load and errors (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095947521100018X)
- healthcare data: 80% of serious errors result from miscommunication, illustrating the cost of lack of clarity (https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/13/5/330)
Strategies
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Go on walk
I know you probably hear it a lot.. but going on a walk really can make a fascinating difference.
Play a video game
There is such a wide diversity of video games out there. Calming exploratory games, puzzle games, combat, story, single or multiplayer, etc. Once I get in touch with the need that is alive in me it’s fun to look for a game or game genre that might tend specifically to that.
Alternate-nostril breaths
Gently alternate closing nostrils; breathe through one, then the other.
5-4-3-2-1 check
Name 5 things you see, 4 feel, 3 hear, 2 smell, 1 taste.
Hold something cool
Hold a cool object or an ice cube and notice the sensation for 20 seconds.
Name three sounds
Listen and name three distinct sounds near or far.
Write three sentences
Write three unedited sentences about “right now.”
Name three needs alive
Write down three needs that feel alive for you in this moment.
Observation only
Write one sentence describing what happened with zero evaluations.
Micro-request to self
Write one tiny, do-now request you can meet in 2 minutes.
Circle the priority
List five needs and circle one to tend in the next ten minutes.
Ask for channel shift
Say: “Could we move this to text so I can think?”
Ask for specifics
Say: “What would this look like in concrete steps?”
Name → need link
Write one sentence: “When I did/experienced __, the need was __.”
Calendar one thing
Add just one gentle, specific item to your calendar.
Self-check scale
Draw a 0–10 line for energy; mark where you are now.
Trace your hand
Outline your hand and write a need in each finger.
Name what’s within control
List three things within your influence today.
Value compass card
Write five values/needs on a card/note you can glance at.
Name a want & a don’t
Complete: “I want __ and I don’t want __ because I value __.”
Add a strategy
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