‘When we learn about a new and better way of doing things, when we upgrade our skills, when our awareness goes up, we look back at how we used to do things and console ourselves with the following words — ‘if only I knew better’.
Some times, not knowing is hard Not knowing the verdict, the result, the outcome of a meeting, all of these cause some amount of anxiety and frustration. Though not much is in our hands during these moments, letting go is harder than it seems.
By this logic, knowing, or knowledge, should be the solution to all our problems. It takes away the suspense and uncertainty and leaves us with no excuses.
When we learn about a new and better way of doing things, when we upgrade our skills, when our awareness goes up, we look back at how we used to do things and console ourselves with the following words — ‘if only I knew better’. This is true in some cases.
The hot tempered person who is now able to hold a mature discussion without losing their cool, the fearful presenter who can now present without the butterflies in their stomach overwhelming them, the person who used to chase titles and who now seeks satisfaction in lifting others up, all of these are examples ‘knowing better’ in action.
At the same time, there is something as painful as not knowing and that is knowing and not doing.
If you know the kind of work that made you happy, then why aren’t you working towards it?
If you know your productivity would improve if you switched off your notifications for an hour a day, why aren’t you doing it, yet?
If you know that getting some exercise and eating better would put you in a better mood, they why aren’t you doing it?
If you know you need to find supportive friends and co-workers who will push you to be a better version of yourself, why are spending so much time crying yourself hoarse about the people who are bringing you down?
Don’t you know any better?
Sure, there are things you still don’t know. And there are things you will never know because you won’t seek them.
But what about the things you already know but aren’t doing? Saying ‘I don’t know better’ is at best a cop out, an excuse, a story you’re telling yourself so that the phrase doesn’t lose its power.
Knowing and not doing, that’s hard.
The thing is, we all know better.
