“I don’t know.”

How many times a day do you say "I don't know" out loud?

Back in 2020 my husband and I hopped on a plane to Jackson Hole, WY to hike The Grand Tetons. We usually get seats next to each other but on one of the shorter 45m flights we had to sit in different rows, but he was right behind me. No biggie, because we usually watch movies anyway.

We got on the plane early and neither of us knew who we'd be sitting next to... will they demand the armrest? Will they be mouth breathers? Dear God, please let them appreciate hygiene.

Lucky for me, I saw a woman about by age confidently walk down the aisle, slide into her seat next to me, lean in and say, "OMG, I'm so glad I won't have to fight for elbow room!" With that icebreaker I can say the rest is history... we HIT IT OFF. We talked the whole 45 minutes and could have kept chatting. She was a marketing director, mom of toddler twin girls, spiritual, and we're both the kind of woman who want to be present with our kids AND be badass at our careers. (To say that we've become dear friends since then is an understatement.)

I shared with her about my desire to become a coach, and she shared with me what it was like to run a marketing department of a higher-ed institution. She applauded my courage for even THINKING about switching careers and it was then that I asked her, "What lights you up?"

She was shocked by the question, and thought for a while before she answered. What I admired most was the fact that she didn't say, "I don't know." Her confidence and belief in herself was so automatic, so natural—she owned her words.

Now, looking back, I know why chose her words carefully, she knew their power.

Words have power. Thoughts before we speak words have power.

And "I don't know" is one of the quickest way to take your power from flying high to crashing down.

When you're stuck on a project, can’t make a decision, or find myself with the illusive free time, does your first thought always begin with "I don’t know?"

 …what to do.

…how to do it.

…when I’ll get it done.

…why I haven’t done it yet.

…what I want.

…how to achieve what I want to achieve.

…when I’ll be ready.

…why I don’t know.

WHAT 👏🏻 IF 👏🏻 YOU 👏🏻 DID?👏🏻 

I believe you do.

“I don’t know” is your brain’s way of keeping things 100% predictable. We’ve been pushed and pulled, tugged and torn for 2 years now. I get it, you’re tired. You reach decision fatigue daily. And “I don’t know” is your new normal. But those 3 little words are holding your power hostage. They’re holding you back from what you’re meant for. They’re keeping you small, quiet, miserable… and dare I say… dull.

But, baby you’re meant to SHINE.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus says: "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light."

🔌 PLUG IN TO WHAT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU.

Dare to strike “don’t” from your vocabulary. You DO know.

Next time you catch yourself saying “I don’t know,” I’m challenging you to stop and think of three things you DO know.

💡 If you don’t know what you want for dinner, choose three things you know you DO want: A protein, a veggie, and a starch. POWER.

💡 If you don’t know how to start a project, think of three things you DO know about it: When it’s due, who it’s for, and the results it’s meant to bring. POWER.

💡 If you don’t know why you’re feeling blue, get curious about three things that might be contributing to it: Lack of sleep, worrying about money, and an argument with your friend. POWER.

If you’re truly in a space of “I don’t know” on the regular, you can access your power simply by asking for help. I keep my calendar open to offer support for moments like these, sign up here.