One of my coaches recently pointed out a sneaky phrase many of us say.
When you start a sentence with “I know, but…” what you really are saying is “I don’t know”.
(Stay with me.)
Listen to these statements:
“I know it’s normal for kids to fight, but I really hate that they do.”
“I know my home can’t be perfectly clean, but I want it to be.”
“I know it’s none of my business, but I still think you should tell me.”
Can you see how my coach is right?
You don’t actually KNOW that it’s normal for kids to fight, otherwise it would accept it as such.
You don’t actually KNOW that your home can’t be perfectly clean, otherwise you would stop trying to make it that way.
You don’t actually KNOW that it’s none of your business, otherwise you wouldn’t try pry it out of someone.
Saying you know when you really don’t know isn’t being honest with yourself.
When you aren’t honest with yourself you end up unhappy.
So start listening to yourself
As soon as you say, “I know, but…” STOP!
And then admit that you don’t really know, but that you’re working on knowing.