I Don’t Know

Why is it so hard to say?

I don’t want to look dumb.

I don’t want to be embarrassed.

I think I should already know the answer.

Therefore, what happens? I give my opinion anyway. I say whatever I think is logically correct - or maybe a vague answer that will get the person off my back - and protect my ego. But, I give something.

What I don’t say is, “I don’t know”.

This is dangerous. It can create a habit of holding opinions that are incorrect, and more dangerously, communicating those wrong opinions to others. Not to mention, create a cycle of reinforcement of wrong opinions in your own mind.

Don’t hold opinions about things you don’t know anything about.

Instead try,

“That’s a great question. I have an idea of the answer, but let’s find out together.”

Or,

“I don’t know the subject well enough to give an opinion.”

Or simply,

“I don’t know.”

It's OK not to know.