Hi Harrison, I understand what you’re saying. I’m also wary of strong opinions/ knowledge proclaimed instantly. Of course sometimes it seems totally valid.
I wonder whether our fear to say I don’t know stems from the years of schooling where there always was a definitive answer and it was a failure not to know. But that was mainly about facts, not perspective. I think kids these days have lessons in PSHE which might stand for Psychological, social and health education? They have discussions on important topics and maybe they can be taught that you can ask for time to think about an answer or even just say you have no answer. And that is ok and respected. Maybe the next generation will not feel the pressure to be ‘ sure’ ?
That reminds me of some advice a senior lawyer gave me when I started out. He said ‘ you don’t need to be right, you need to be sure’. I was horrified. He was talking about presenting confidence in front of the client. Now there’s a topic…………
This is wonderful. For me it resonates to situations where I am asked to give an opinion. About say political events. I often hesitate. There are 2 clearly available options : to agree strongly or to disagree strongly. I often hesitate because I have a feeling there is more grey there. And I haven't worked it out in my head yet what I truly think. I just know it seems more complicated. So it's good to have the words ready and buy some time.
Hey Corinna! Thank you. You’re right! You’re reminding me of so many times I should have said I don’t know but didn’t. I think this is an important idea to write about. But the drawback of having written about it is that now I’m more sensitive to the know-it-all posture (in myself too) and I spot it everywhere, daily. And I find it so annoying. I’m upset about it to be honest. What has happened to make so many of us see the absence of knowledge as a bad thing instead of an opportunity?
Hey Tim, yeah I'm into the voiceovers too. Noticed you do them. Have you got them linked to Apple Podcasts through RSS? Took me a bit of fiddling but I finally got there in the end.
Thanks for your kind words. This piece was one of those rare ones where I knew the title and the concept before I'd written anything. The hard work was in writing the thing to fit the title. But like I said, that almost NEVER happens, and it was a nice surprise! Usually the title comes last and I take forever to decide
Yes! We'd have to chat at some point, but I was talking with Rick Lewis about this last night about how I'd love to start mixing these into my podcast feed (was a bit of a challenge figuring it out), and also consider making some videos around the pieces.
And I completely know what you mean -- I'm funny, I think I often think of the title FIRST. Perhaps I'm making things difficult for myself, but I want to ensure I have a strong hook when I'm writing. Either direction you go, I don't believe it's easy. But it's so worth it when you see that final product.
This line,
"And you! brave enough to say them! when you had so much to gain and so much to preserve by not saying them". How true and apt.
One of those brilliantly laid out articles, which made me want to scroll up and read it all over again. Loved it.
Thanks Paudan, couldn’t have written it without your help
Hi Harrison, I understand what you’re saying. I’m also wary of strong opinions/ knowledge proclaimed instantly. Of course sometimes it seems totally valid.
I wonder whether our fear to say I don’t know stems from the years of schooling where there always was a definitive answer and it was a failure not to know. But that was mainly about facts, not perspective. I think kids these days have lessons in PSHE which might stand for Psychological, social and health education? They have discussions on important topics and maybe they can be taught that you can ask for time to think about an answer or even just say you have no answer. And that is ok and respected. Maybe the next generation will not feel the pressure to be ‘ sure’ ?
That reminds me of some advice a senior lawyer gave me when I started out. He said ‘ you don’t need to be right, you need to be sure’. I was horrified. He was talking about presenting confidence in front of the client. Now there’s a topic…………
This is wonderful. For me it resonates to situations where I am asked to give an opinion. About say political events. I often hesitate. There are 2 clearly available options : to agree strongly or to disagree strongly. I often hesitate because I have a feeling there is more grey there. And I haven't worked it out in my head yet what I truly think. I just know it seems more complicated. So it's good to have the words ready and buy some time.
Hey Corinna! Thank you. You’re right! You’re reminding me of so many times I should have said I don’t know but didn’t. I think this is an important idea to write about. But the drawback of having written about it is that now I’m more sensitive to the know-it-all posture (in myself too) and I spot it everywhere, daily. And I find it so annoying. I’m upset about it to be honest. What has happened to make so many of us see the absence of knowledge as a bad thing instead of an opportunity?
This was so lovely.
Thanks Yvonne 😊
1. Obsessed now with voiceovers.
2. To me, the end, the twist...wonderful writing. I agree with Paudan -- this is one I read more than once.
Hey Tim, yeah I'm into the voiceovers too. Noticed you do them. Have you got them linked to Apple Podcasts through RSS? Took me a bit of fiddling but I finally got there in the end.
Thanks for your kind words. This piece was one of those rare ones where I knew the title and the concept before I'd written anything. The hard work was in writing the thing to fit the title. But like I said, that almost NEVER happens, and it was a nice surprise! Usually the title comes last and I take forever to decide
Yes! We'd have to chat at some point, but I was talking with Rick Lewis about this last night about how I'd love to start mixing these into my podcast feed (was a bit of a challenge figuring it out), and also consider making some videos around the pieces.
And I completely know what you mean -- I'm funny, I think I often think of the title FIRST. Perhaps I'm making things difficult for myself, but I want to ensure I have a strong hook when I'm writing. Either direction you go, I don't believe it's easy. But it's so worth it when you see that final product.
1000%! It's the craft that keeps on giving (and taking).
Which time zone you in? US?
Eastern Time Zone! I live right near the Ocean.
Ah cool! I’m in Thailand till Tuesday then back in UK for Xmas. Would be great to chat sometime. The time zone’s more on my side once I’m in the UK
Sounds great. Feel free to email me at tim@cfamillsboro.com
Love love love this!! Especially with your voice
Thanks Miche and thanks for your help with it :)