Working Together, Let's Achieve 20-20 Clarity in 2020

The basic idea: Look around the world. Does it seem like we have clarity around what matters most?

Not really.

To me, it looks like most of us keep our heads down and nurture the illusion that all is good. Most people dislike their job, their boss, or both. Even CEOs admit that capitalism needs an update. Our political system is broken, and our environment is declining rapidly

By writing these words, I'm consciously breaking my vow to always be positive online. It's important to know the difference between optimism and denial.

Many of us, including me, have been in denial. In 2020, let's change that.

Let's change that at the most fundamental levels, inside our own bodies and minds.

A bit more background: In 2020, I'm going to create, practice and share a system for achieving clarity around what matters most. Each month will have a different focus, and the first few months may at first glance seem extraordinarily basic to you... because they seek to address the most fundamental building blocks of clarity.

In January, I'll be focused on practicing breathing techniques that bring clarity.

By taking deliberate control of your breathing, you can cut through the fog that so often surrounds the human experience. Instead of being stressed, you can be calm. Instead of having the tunnel vision that comes with fear, you can have the expansive awareness that comes with peace.

As always, I'm going to do my best to keep things as simple as possible. The image above shows the Square Breathing technique, in which you simply move through a cycle of inhaling for four seconds, holding your breath for four seconds, exhaling for four seconds, holding your breath for four seconds... and so on.

Do this for five minutes a day, and do it again any time you feel the need to take control of your perceptions, body, or state of mind.

In business, we tend to skip the stuff that matters most, dismissing it as "soft". We want action-oriented, results-driven tactics.

So you focus on increasing revenues instead of doing a better job of seeing reality. You focus more on telling other people what to do... than you do helping your own body to be healthier... and your own mind to be clearer.

Clarity starts with breath. It really is that simple.

Instead of simply saying "Happy New Year," let's actually create a happy new year.

Bruce Kasanoff is a social media ghostwriter for entrepreneurs.