3x3: On Designing Your Life with Clarity, Focus & Contrast

Hi, it’s Tom. I hope you’re having a great week so far.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about lifestyle design, and what happens when we let the default take over.

And today, I want to share 3 tools to help you build a life you choose:

Clarity, Focus, and Contrast.

Let’s get into it.

1. You Can’t Solve Problems You Don’t See

Most people are blind to the invisible scripts that run their lives. They stay stuck because they don’t see why they’re stuck.

Self-awareness changes everything. It exposes the patterns you ignore and the habits you refuse to face.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Write down how you spend your time for one week.

• Track your habits, the good ones AND the bad ones.

• Pay attention to the thoughts that loop in your mind.

What you’ll find might shock you: countless wasted hours, pointless routines, and thoughts that sabotage your goals.

Clarity isn’t comfortable. But it’s freeing. Once you see the problem, you can solve it.

Clarity exposes the truth. Truth unlocks change.

Question: What’s one challenge you’ve been avoiding, and how much time would it really take to start facing it?

2. Focus Comes From Subtraction

You’re not overwhelmed because you have too little time. You’re overwhelmed because you’re trying to do too much.

The modern world worships addition: more tasks, more goals, more tools. But focus thrives on subtraction.

The 80/20 rule proves it: 80% of what we do doesn’t matter. It’s noise.

You need to eliminate it:

• Say no to unnecessary meetings.

• Dedicate your mornings to deep, meaningful work.

• Protect your evenings for real, intentional rest.

Progress isn’t about getting everything done. It’s about getting the right things done.

Simplify. Subtract. Focus. That’s where you’ll find progress.

Question: Look at the 5 most-used apps on your phone—how much time could you get back each week by deleting the ones that distract you most?

3. You Don’t Need More Balance, You Need More Contrast

Balance sounds nice in theory, but it keeps you stuck. Half-working when you should be resting, half-resting when you should be focused.

The real answer is Contrast: Go all in, or all out.

• When you work, go deep. Shut out distractions. Bring intensity.

• When you rest, disconnect completely. Turn off your phone. Sleep deeply. Walk outside.

At first, this feels unbalanced.

But zoom out, and you’ll see the truth: intense focus creates space for intense recovery.

100% work allows for 100% rest. That’s balance.

The sharper the contrast, the sharper you become.

Question: If you gave yourself the same intensity to rest as you do to work, how much more could you achieve?

Lifestyle Design Is Intentional Creation

A well-designed life doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built with intention, day by day.

To create yours, remember:

1. Clarity reveals what holds you back.

2. Focus clears the noise and moves you forward.

3. Contrast fuels your energy and sharpens your effort.

Clarity is the map. Focus is the engine. Contrast is the fuel.

Now, design your life like it’s your greatest project. Because it is.

À la prochaine,

Tom