About saying I don’t know

Posted on 13. Jun, 2009 by Mat Siems in Uncategorized

This morning on my way to work, I was reading this trully inspiring post from zen habits about how 3 small words can ruin your life. It’s not untill I read the full article that I acknowledge the truth of it. And those words are really hard to guess as they aren’t the typical pessimistic words. They either good or bad. And those words are simply: I don’t know. My first impression was, Is that it? How saying that you don’t know can affect your life. The more I thought about it the more I actually found that I am using these words far too often. I already came across some business and leaderhip topics with the importance of making quick decision. I knew it helped to be decisive in business, even if you ended up being wrong, but who could imagine the it would apply in real life.
Most often saying you don’t know might be the safest option in a given situation. Assuming that somebody else will take the decision and of course the responsibility. But the truth is you need to take responsibility and you need to start practising your position. Yes you’re the boss, so act like one. Don’t be afraid to take decision. Because worse case scenario, you will make a mistake and you will be judge….but the beauty is you will be a bit more smarter, more experience, knowing what works what’s doesn’t. As I mention this is if worse come to worse, but don’t forget most of the time it will be more frightening then painfull. I am not saying to make stupid decision, but the best you can make in a specific situation.
Coming back to the words, there is actually plenty of other words you could say if you don’t find the precise solution such as let me find ou, I will double check, this person should know the answers…All those other words are very action focu, which will bring you closer to the solution then just saying you don’t know.
To take this notion to a higher level, would be to mention NLP (neuro linguistic programmatic) and how important are the words that you choose. If you are not aware of the vocabulary you are using, you should and you will see how big of an impact it will make on your life. So as the only think you know is that you don’t know, to quote Socrates, the most famous of the greeks philospher, even if you don’t know, try not to use those words, and you will automatically be closer to a solution.
To close this article with a more Funky Success approach, it is important the you know exacly what you are aiming at, therefore those 3 little words shouldn’t be part of you vocabulary. It is always better to try then not, so there you are: you know!

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