Two Thieves of Clarity

Two Thieves of Clarity

Two Thieves of ClarityBrenda Bauer
Published on: 11/10/2025

Sometimes we confuse clarity with certainty. In this article, we explore the “far enemy” of clarity—confusion—and its sneaky “near enemy”—rigid certainty. Drawing on Positive Intelligence and the way our inner Controller or Stickler can hijack our best intentions, you’ll learn how to spot when you’re over-analyzing versus over-controlling. By the end, you’ll have a single reflection question that helps you move from mental chaos or rigid rules back to confident direction.

Overcoming Overwhelm
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What's Blocking Your Growth

What's Blocking Your Growth

What's Blocking Your GrowthBrenda Bauer
Published on: 03/10/2025

Most people think the opposite of a value is what derails us. But often, it’s the near enemy—a sneaky counterfeit that looks like the real thing but drains us instead. In this article, I unpack a powerful framework Brené Brown highlights in her new book, inspired by Buddhist wisdom: every value has both a far enemy (its obvious opposite) and a near enemy (a fake version that masquerades as the real thing). I’ll also connect this concept with Positive Intelligence, which shows how overusing our strengths can actually sabotage us. Together, we’ll look at how the far and near enemies of clarity, confidence, and consistency show up in everyday life—and how you can recognize when you’re living your value versus when you’ve slipped into its shadow. By the end, you’ll have a simple reflection tool to help you spot the difference and return to the version of your values that frees you instead of drains you.

Unlocking Your Full Potential
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