Knowing Without Knowing
Tradition tells us that we should do our research before talking. By doing our research, we acquire knowledge. But what if it is possible to know without doing any research?
There is a saying in French that goes like: “Tourner sa langue 7 fois avant de parler” which means, move your tongue around 7 times in your mouth before speaking. Meaning chose your words carfully. A French comedian made fun of this and said: “he moved his tongue around 7 times and he choked.”
Both are right, you have to do your research, pick your words wisely, and think. But sometimes, it is important to cut yourself some slack, not think too much and just say it out loud. We overthink out of stress, anxiety or depression. Overthinking can kill you, I’m dead serious! We all make mistakes so don’t be ashamed; fail forward, don’t settle.
But then, I also believe that is possible not only to just Go For It and talk, but also to know without knowing. The big ideas in life do not change, what I mean by the big ideas: our 5 senses, our hierarchy of needs, what makes a great orator, how to empower people ect. I like to call these the fundamentals of life.
If you have sufficient life experience (it depends on you but I would say early 30s) it is possible to relate to things and connect the dots differently and know without knowing.
If you believe in the power of imagination, in the power of music, in the power of emotions, then you can be transported to South Africa and learn something there without really being conscious about it! Just put your headphones on, make sure you hold them real tight against your ears, light a few candles and close your eyes and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
I often talk about gut leadership, leading without really knowing; jut kindda knowing. Richard Brandson and other successful entrepreneurs rely on gut feelings when it comes to taking great decisions.
We are social animals, we feel before we think. Our intuition is more important than reasoning in my opinion. The only problem is that some of us do not pay attention to our intuition.
I believe it’s the same with learning; we can learn without learning; we learn subconsciously. When running, it is possible to focus on your race and not on your legs; you will have the impression that you’re flying.
The same goes with life, it’s not only the present moment that counts, it’s the big picture. Spiritual writer Eckhart Tolle wrote that it’s ok not to not understand all the words, “Don’t get attached to any words. They are only stepping stones, to be left behind as quickly as possible.”
When Eminem is rapping to “piss the world off” as he puts it, the audience should judge the whole picture, not hang onto every single word.
All this has a lot to do with reality distortion and tweaking your brain so that you can experience things differently. Steve Jobs did say that he triumphed creativity by being less sure about everything. And you see how successful he and Apple is?
Do you remember this dialogue from the book of Eli:
Eli: I walk by faith, not by sight.
Solara: [sighs] What does that mean?
Eli: It means that you know something even if you don’t know something.
To finish up, It is possible to know without really knowing, it’s possible to learn without learning, it’s ok not to be 100% sure and make wonderful stuff! Screw it, let’s just go! After all, we only live once!
