During one of his morning walks to work in New York City, David Ogilvy encountered a man begging with a sign around his neck. The sign read: "I am blind," and, as evidenced by his nearly empty cup, the man was not doing very well. Ogilvy removed the man’s sign from around his neck, pulled out a marker and changed the sign to read, "It is spring and I am blind." He hung the sign back around the beggar’s neck and went on his way. On his way home he was pleased to notice the vagrant had a full cap.

This story was mentioned in the book "To Sell is Human" by Daniel Pink.

He used it as an illustration of his point that clarity depends on contrast.

I thought this was a particularly insightful thought that can be applied in many ways.

We can gain clarity on our goals through the contrast of where we are today and where we want to be in the future.

We can gain clarity on what’s important by comparing our blessings with those who are less fortunate.

We can gain clarity when making decisions by contrasting the two options in their extremes.

Clarity is such an important part of moving forward in life. We can only move as far and as fast as we can see clearly.

Is there an area of your life that needs clarity? Is there a way that contrast could provide that clarity?

Make it a great day.

Jake ​