This title seems strange given the fact that we successfully navigate our days. We pride ourselves on always having an opinion, confidently making choices and decisions, and living our lives to the best ability that we can.
When we stumble, we easily get discouraged. We begin to compare ourselves to others who seem to never make mistakes and begin to doubt our own ability.
Then there are times we get frustrated, when discussing things with others, where they don’t seem to understand what we are telling them. They don’t see the impact of our words in the ways that it can improve their lives.
All of these instances refer to the same thing. That is – we don’t know what we don’t know. It’s true for all of us. No matter how smart you think you are. No matter how curious you are. No matter how responsible you are.
I am not referring to complicated things. If I know how to save by investing in a CD, this most likely means, that I have never heard of the many investment funds that yield higher rates by transferring money into them using a computer.
If I have been teaching in a private school that has limited funds and then have an experienced public school principal become my boss, I will know little about the techniques of teaching that have evolved and are being described by my new principal.
A person who gets hired to work with their hands as a technician, on the first day, may not even know how to use a hammer or a wrench if no one ever showed them.
We grow up and believe we know so much. As we age, we begin to understand how little both our knowledge and our world really is.
Becoming aware of this can make us more patient with others. It can offer us more possibility if we reach out to others who have experienced more than we have.
Understanding that our fear keeps us from believing in what we hear and opening our minds to new ideas and possibilities is a great first step towards personal growth and change. Try it. You might just be surprised at what you will find.