Leadership Self Talk: “I don’t know”

“I don’t know.”

Were you taught never to say these words?

Were you brought up with these thoughts instead?

“You always need to have the answer.”
“You don’t want to look like an idiot.”

However, the phrase “I don’t know” can be the starting point of possibility.
Leadership Self Talk

Possibility can be the starting point of inspiration, new action, and a higher level of performance.

Most people today kill off any idea of possibility by being certain about the uncertain.

They immediately provide a reason or excuse for the way things are.

For Example:

“I can’t run; I have bad knees. Therefore I can’t lose weight.”
(The possibility of weight loss is never explored because we immediately think of running is the primary form.)

“I can’t make more money; there are no more opportunities for me to advance at my current job and I’m too old to look for a new one.”
(The possibility of a side business is never known because we only think of one way to make money.)

When we provide reasons and excuses, we tend to do more complaining than creating.

Start with; I don’t know. And sit with it; give yourself some time. Allow yourself to be comfortable “not knowing.”

Allow your mind to create and dream up some potential solutions.

Once we start to practice overcoming the fear of looking “stupid” more possibilities will start to open up for us.