Welcome to the Clarity Quiz!

What’s the best way to avoid feeling stupid?

1. Avoid challenging situations
2. Hide your stupidity with bluff and smiles
3. Admit what you don’t know and start asking questions
4. Prepare, prepare, and prepare some more

Make your selection and then continue to read the answer and explanation.

Number 3 is the correct answer!

A client recently admitted to feeling stupid and I was struck by how rarely I hear that admission despite the fact that we all have moments when we feel we should know something we don’t or should have done something we didn’t. Unfortunately, our reluctance to ‘fess up, even to ourselves, is costly:

• We waste time by not asking questions.
• We waste energy by creating excuses.
• We throw good money after bad by rationalizing and continuing our previous behavior.
• We damage relationships by not apologizing.
• We create inefficiency by letting confusion slide.
• We miss opportunities by not speaking up.

And all of these are happening all around us, all day, every day.

Simply because we temporarily forget that we aren’t perfect, can’t know everything, and aren’t like anyone else. For whatever reasons, we are who we are and we know what we know. No explanations, excuses, or apologies are necessary. Accept that starting point and you can move forward quickly.

When you are “feeling stupid,” recognize it, get over it, and start asking questions. Don’t waste another minute or blow another opportunity feeling stupid.
In particular:

• Don’t avoid challenging situations – you will only limit your opportunities and your own development.
• Don’t try to hide your “stupidity” behind bluff and smiles – you’ll only feel worse when exposed.
• Don’t prepare, prepare, and prepare – preparation is great but no one can know everything and too much preparation means you are postponing, and maybe missing, an opportunity.

Keep it simple. Accept that there are things you don’t know (and things you do) and start asking questions.