“I want to move forward, but I don’t know enough yet.”
I read that line in an e-letter I received the other day. The author of the e-letter stated that the line is a common one among people considering new businesses or new directions with their existing businesses. I don’t know if the line is a common one – I suppose it is based on my experience with trying new things – but I still had a knee-jerk reaction to it.
My reaction is this: You will never know enough. Get over it. I will never know enough, either. Yes, some knowledge is necessary before diving into a new business or project, but no one can know enough about those things. Some knowledge only can be gained through experience, the often painful playing field of trial and error.
Besides, if I had known what I now know when I first started blogging or using social media, I might never have started. Some ignorance can be a blessing. Not knowing what all the social media and blogging “experts” had to say gave me freedom to do my own research and to find my own way. Too much knowledge can be overwhelming. It can lead to paralysis rather than to action.
Another point to keep in mind: you always can ask for help. You should. I’ve been embracing the concept over the past year and a half. It’s been hard – my pride gets in the way – but the results of humbling myself have been beautiful. I’ve formed some strong bonds with a few of my online friends because I have been willing to ask for help and to say “I don’t know enough. Would you be willing to help me with this?”
It’s impossible to know “enough.” How would you know when you’ve reached that point? You can’t. You only can move forward with the knowledge you do have and the certainty that you will know more once you take that first step toward whatever it is that you need to do next.
I love this sentiment, Erin. One of the most freeing moments for me is to openly state that I don’t know enough but I’m going to try it anyway. That openness somehow stops me from pretending I know something I don’t, but also allows me the audacity to go forward anyhow…
@yuvizalkow It’s strange how freeing “I don’t know (and I’m okay with that)” can be. I’ve become much more accepting of that reality. I think writing poetry is the main culprit behind the shift.
Hey Erin! Coming here for the first time and I wonder why I haven’t come here before… mainly because no matter how many blogs I read, there really isn’t a way I can never cover “enough”. There will still be a million things I wouldn’t have read, I wouldn’t have known and I wouldn’t have a speck of idea about. But isn’t that practically impossible. There really isn’t enough, but there really isn’t a know-it-all also. And sometimes not knowing everything can be a good thing, because you tend to open your mind to experiences and that is a good thing! 🙂
@Hajra Hi Hajra! Welcome to Write Right. It’s nice to see you here. 🙂
I feel the same way about blogs. There are far too many good ones, and I have far too little time to read them all. That just means I spend time with people who have read the other blogs (or who write them) and glean from their knowledge – it’s relationships and learning all at the same time, and that seems like a very good thing.
I don’t think I’d want to know everything. That would be too much responsibility. Besides, trying something new or getting outside my comfort zone keeps me humble and able to learn. Right?