I don’t know.
A seemingly innocent phrase we can easily defer to when we don’t want to think or it’s not important at the moment. It’s a phrase we hear a lot in coaching and I’ve also used it myself. It’s a very natural reaction for your brain to serve it up when you are going after big goals and dreams, because as long as you are stuck in confusion, you aren’t taking action. Action is scary and uncomfortable and our brain hates it.
Let me share some of the thoughts I have found when exploring my own use of “I don’t know”.
I am afraid to admit what I want.
If I say what I want, it will be real and then I will have to confront the reason I am scared of going after what I want.
I am afraid to believe that I am capable or worthy.
If I go after what I want, I will also have to do all those scary things in order to make it happen and I don’t know that I can do them, so what does that mean about me?
I am afraid I will do it wrong.
If I do go after what I want, I might fail. And nobody wants to be a failure.
Now, when my brain serves up “I don’t know”, it’s an indicator to back up and explore what is actually going on. Through coaching, I have learned that I don’t have to default to not believing in myself. I can actually create anything in life that I want. I can go after anything, even when I feel fear. Through trial and error, I know I will make it happen. The only way I fail is if I quit. There are no wrong and right actions. There is only experimenting until I find something that works.
What is the truth behind your “I don’t know responses”? If you weren’t indulging in confusion, what would you be creating instead?
If you want some coaching to help you explore your own responses and create what you want in life, I can help. Reach out to me in the comments below or schedule a free consultation to get started.