“I Don’t Know Yet” Is a Useful Answer. What Comes Next Matters.

“I don’t know yet.”

I have much more interest in that sentence when it is followed by a useful question.

What do we need to find out? Which information could change the decision? What can we do with what we already know?

There is work inside those questions.

We cannot control everything around us. We cannot guarantee another person’s response or make an outcome certain through the sheer strength of our intentions.

But we can investigate. Prepare. Choose an action and pay attention to what happens.

For me, that is an active way of dealing with uncertainty.

It also requires distinguishing between information we genuinely need and reassurance we would simply like to have.

If a fact could materially change the choice, look for it.

If you are waiting for somebody to guarantee that the choice will work, recognise what you are asking for.

That guarantee may never arrive.

You still have your judgement, your preparation and the responsibility to act within what you understand.

Then comes the next part: observe the result, learn and adjust.

“I don’t know yet” leaves room for discovery.

Give it a question, an action and a moment to review.
Now you have somewhere to begin.

Silvia