The Rush to Certainty

Concept Twelve reminds me that informed decision-making comes from "knowledge, experience, and facts." I used to believe that having an immediate, confident answer for everything made me appear knowledgeable and decisive. If someone asked my opinion, I’d offer it instantly, convinced I knew exactly what needed to be done or what was wrong. There was no need for thought or gathering information; I "just knew" with absolute certainty, driven by a deep-seated fear of appearing uninformed or weak.

This rush to certainty, however, was rarely about truth; it was a way to manage my anxiety. It created a false sense of control in situations where I often felt powerless. Today, applying Concept Twelve means deliberately pausing when presented with a decision or asked for my input. I now make an effort to gather the necessary facts and draw on my own experiences and those of others before I act, decide, or even speak.

Embracing this principle has been transformative. It means accepting the vulnerability of saying, "I need to think about that," or "I'm not sure yet," which was once terrifying. But I've found that this brief, deliberate pause allows for clarity to emerge, replacing my old pattern of impulsive, anxiety-driven responses with choices grounded in wisdom and reality.

When I feel pressured to have an immediate answer, I can pause and ask: What am I afraid will happen if I admit I don’t know yet?