When the Obvious Was Not an Option

Recently, I was at the gym and found myself curious about a woman using a tool I had never seen before, doing stretches I didn’t recognize.

I had noticed her a few times, but that day the curiosity stayed. I decided it was time to solve the mystery.

I turned to my husband and asked, “Do you see this tool? What is it for?”

He didn’t know. In my mind, the next step would be to ask ChatGPT or search online.

Instead, he did something very simple.

He walked over and asked her.

I was genuinely surprised. How had that not occurred to me?

My mind had already filtered that option out. It could bother her. It could distract her. It might not be appropriate.

So many unspoken rules, quietly defining what is acceptable.

It was interesting to notice them.

This is often what happens in coaching sessions. “How did I not think about this before?”

A thought partner creates space. It allows us to slow down and see from a wider perspective.

And from there, what feels complex often becomes simple.

There is always a simple solution to any complex problem.

What is a complex problem you could solve today with a simple act?

Enjoy your clarity.