Why Clarity is Overrated (and What to Focus On Instead)

We live in a world obsessed with clarity.

“What’s your five-year plan?”

“Where do you see yourself in ten years?”

“Are you sure this is the right decision?”

These questions are everywhere, from job interviews to family dinners, and they carry the hidden message that certainty equals success. That unless you know exactly where you’re going, you’re probably going nowhere.

I want to challenge that.

Because some of the best, most life-changing things in my own journey didn’t come to me because I was certain.They came because I followed a general direction, trusted my sense of excitement, and let things unfold.

The Move to Dubai: Following the Spark, Not the Blueprint

When we moved from South Africa to Dubai, I didn’t have a perfectly mapped-out life plan.I had a general idea: it sounded exciting, adventurous, and full of opportunity.That was it.

What unfolded?It was one of the most transformative periods of my life. Dubai opened my eyes to a new world, not just geographically, but emotionally and culturally. It shaped how I saw people, how I understood success, and how I connected across differences.

None of that was part of the “plan.” It was the result of showing up, stepping into a space of possibility, and trusting that clarity would come after action, not before.

Becoming a Lecturer: Excitement First, Certainty Later

When I started working as a lecturer, I didn’t know it would become one of the most meaningful roles of my career.I thought it would be interesting.I thought I’d enjoy sharing what I knew.I thought it might open some doors.

Again, no crystal-clear vision.

What happened was far bigger.I found a passion for teaching, for mentoring, for empowering others. I discovered parts of myself I didn’t even know existed.

If I had waited until I was 100 percent sure this was the right career move, I would have missed it altogether.

Clarity is Often a Byproduct, Not a Prerequisite

This is what I want young people, and anyone feeling stuck, to hear. You don’t find clarity by sitting still and trying to figure everything out in your head. You gain clarity by moving, by experimenting, by paying attention to what excites you, and by letting the next steps reveal themselves as you go.

Your twenties, and honestly, every decade, are not about having a flawless master plan. They are about momentum, learning, and growth.

So if you’re hesitating because you’re “not sure,” remember:You probably won’t be sure.That’s okay.Start anyway.

What to Focus On Instead of Clarity

✔ A general direction: Where do you feel curious? What excites you, even if it’s vague?

✔ Your emotional signals: Where do you feel alive, challenged, interested?

✔ Tiny next steps: What’s the smallest move you can make to explore this further?

✔ An openness to surprise: What if the best outcomes are the ones you can’t yet imagine?

Final Thoughts

The best decisions I ever made were not the ones I was sure about.They were the ones I was willing to take a chance on, trusting that clarity would meet me along the way.

If you’re standing at a crossroads, unsure which way to go, don’t wait for perfect certainty.

Choose a direction.

Take a step.

See what unfolds.

Because you just might end up somewhere better than you ever expected.

Take Care,

Lindi

PS: If you want to know more or work together, book a free 15-minute session, click on the link below.

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About Lindi van Heerden

Lindi van Heerden is a coach, mentor, and speaker passionate about helping young individuals navigate life’s big questions with courage and confidence.

Through her Young and Purposeful – The Clarity Blueprint programme, she empowers young adults to move past doubt, take bold action, and create a life they love, even before they have it all figured out.