Recently, I was on vacation. While at the park for a picnic, I observed a parent talking to a child—I would guess the child was in the 2-3 age range. Over the course of a few minutes, the parent gave so many mixed messages to the child, I was even confused about what the child was supposed to be doing. I have no judgment here. In fact, I was transported back to when my kids were young and knowing I had probably done this same thing on multiple occasions.

We live in a world of mixed messages. One minute we are supposed to consume a certain product because it’s good for us and the next thing we know there is something in the product that has adverse affects or has even been known to cause cancer in lab rats.

Each of us as individuals aren’t really that different in our own worlds. How many times do we tell ourselves we want something only to do the complete opposite? I find myself falling into this trap in my weight release journey. I want to release weight. I actually enjoy eating healthy foods. And yet all of a sudden the cheese curds or ice cream are right there. I want to release weight and yet I eat the mint chocolate chip. Confusing message—to my body and the world. Please understand, I am not saying that we must completely cut out ice cream. My intent is to highlight the impact of mixed messages.

We are voting all the time for which message is working for us in the moment. And yet, is it really working?

We have platforms of political topics that are doused in mixed messaging. Let’s heal the Earth and work on the environment. And yet, how often do we recycle correctly, cut down on excess packaging, clean up the ditches or even take responsibility for the ways we consume in the first place? Again, mixed messages within our own homes and the world.

Have you ever had someone ask you, what do you REALLY want?

This is probably a sign that you’ve been giving a mixed message.

What gets in the way of having a clear message? I believe that we are often afraid of a clear message because this means committing to something. We are living in a time when people have had to change and pivot so often that the idea of committing may feel a little scary. I also believe that we are often not clear about what we REALLY want. Once we are clear about what we really want, committing to it is A LOT easier. And of course, there is the fear of asking for what we really want and putting that message out there. It opens us up for possible rejection and the terrifying question—what if people don’t like the idea or even like me? And so, it is often easier to keep sending out the mixed message in hopes that maybe something will land with someone and we will get enough business or make enough friends.

I believe that we need to call on our super power of clarity here. When we know what we want, we move from the mess of a mixed message into a clear message full of direction, purpose and movement. I’m not sure about you, but in my world I have immense flow, grace and ease when I have the clear message and purpose.

I want to offer the concept of “want what you want.” Write it down. Next to that, right the next action you will take towards it. Do that action. Then write another. Keep doing this until you are doing what you wanted to do. Be clear. This is your purpose. This is what you have said you want.

I’d love to know what you’re writing down and what your next step will be. Just say no to mixed messages and YES to what you really want.