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How to Banish That “I Don’t Know What to Do” Feeling Forever!

April 26, 2012 by 20 Comments

“I just don’t know what to do”

Have you ever said this to someone?

To yourself?

Uncertainty is one of the most frustrating experiences in  life.  A lack of clarity makes you feel drained–mentally and emotionally, unsure and unmotivated.

You Don’t Have to Live
Paralyzed by Uncertainty Anymore

Honestly, you never had to live there in the first place!

But sometimes it’s easy to fall into that trap of uncertainty when you’re afraid of making a decision for fear of messing it up.

I’ve been there.  I remember when I started thinking about starting to write my book, I was assaulted by doubts.

The fear and uncertainty was so intense, it literally felt like someone had a vice on my chest. It felt like I couldn’t breathe.

The truth is that you always know what to do. Deep inside, you know.

You might be afraid. You might not know how, but your soul knows!

You always know what to do. You might not know how, but your soul knows.

Dare…Even If You Don’t Know How!

Do what you know to do, even if you don’t know how!

The “how” is the place of miracles.  ”How” is where the hand of God reaches down to the effort you put forth and directs it in ways you could have never dreamed.

Do what you know to do, even if you don’t know how! 

When I started this blog, I didn’t know how.

When I started the AWAKE! Podcast, I didn’t know how.

When I wrote, An Imperceptible Spark, I didn’t know how.

What Have You Done When You Didn’t Know How?

When you don’t know how to do what you know you are meant to do, start.

1. Take the First Step

2. Look for the Next Visible Step and Take It

3. Do What Feels Good

You gotta start somewhere…and we always have an idea about how to start.

Bay View from the Resort

Years ago, I decided I might like to own a small resort in the Caribbean. I had no idea how to do that, but I figured I would start somewhere.

So, I called my local Wells Fargo Bank branch.  They put me through to the business banker.

“Do you have a business plan?” She asked.

I had no clue what that was or how to write one.  She kindly referred me to the local SBA (Small Business Administration) Office.  Suddenly, I knew the next step.

The adviser there told me what information I would need and explained how to write a business plan. I was on my way.

Do you see how it works?  Take the step you know. Take the next visible step. Do what feels good.

Let your feelings be your guide as you learn to follow your intuition. It’s tough because we’ve been programmed to follow our intellect and logic exclusively.

When you recognize that you always know what to do and you’re gutsy enough to take the first step, life has a way of meeting you half way!

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.  –Henry David Thoreau

What’s the first step for you?  (tell me in the comments)

Take the first step. Now. Today.
GO!!!

Photo Credit: Alex Bellink
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High Octane, Low Bullshit
Filed Under: Chasing Dreams, Courage
About Steve

Hi, I'm Steve Rice and my goal is to transform simple philosophical truths into practical fuel to revolutionize your life. It's not about self-help, it's about self-reliance. I show you how. Connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and let me know how I can help you.

  • http://www.eleanormross.com Eleanor

    Hey Steve,

    Lovely post :) I just love Do what you know to do, even if you don’t know how!….Wise words my man!
    Eleanor

    PS, tweeted the above

    • Steve

      Thanks, Eleanor. It’s something that my partner said to me a year or two ago when I was writing my book. “You always know what to do. You might be afraid,” he said, “but you always know.” I hated to admit at the time but he’s right!

      Do you find that your mind wants to jump into all the “hows” when you set a new intention or goal? How do you combat this tendency? What have you found that’s an effective tool for moving forward with what you “know to do”?

  • http://onesheet.com/EarlHarville Earl Harville

    YES!!!!! LEAP!!!! I needed this reminder today as I prepare to take steps toward getting back to Southern California. Thanks!!!!

    • Steve

      OMG…so excited for you Earl! Do you have a date picked out for the move yet? Please keep me posted. I know this has been a long-term goal and I’m so happy for you. Remember…just take the next visible step! :)

  • http://www.alchemy4thesoul.com Kath Roberts

    Steve….my sentiments entirely…’your soul’ truly does know the answer . Its great when miracles unfold when you trust it to work , just like being on one of those airport travelators because its an acceleration,a floaty feeling and knowing that you can’t explain but you just know that your’re on the right path.

    • Steve

      Love that analogy, Kath. That’s exactly what it’s like…like being at the airport and moving faster and smoother than you could on foot. Love that! Thanks for sharing.

  • http://www.lifeforinstance.com Lori Gosselin

    “Take the next visible step” I like this :-) I think we get too caught up in the “hows”. To know what you want and know that you WILL have it is all you need to begin. Then, take the next visible step!
    So…a resort in the Caribbean?!?!? Nice!
    Lori

    • Steve

      Thanks, Lori. That point of take the next visible step is one that people seem to really respond to. It’s so simple, it’s easy to over look, even for me. But it is the method which helped me to do anything seeming “huge” project that I’ve taken on. I always know 1 step I can take, so I take that…then I see what I know and take the next one.

      Yeah, I’ve been tempted several times to cart off to the Caribbean or Central America and never come back (except for a Christmas/snow reprieve from the tropics). We’ll see…the long-term plan is still to end up there…or at least have a little place in the tropics.

      Certainty, as you indicated is powerful. You mentioned that your kids are really powerful manifestors. What do you think it is in them or what tools have you developed and implemented in your own life that help to draw your attention away from the fear of “how” and build certainty that you can have (and will have) what you put your mind to?

      • http://www.lifeforinstance.com Lori Gosselin

        With the kids their success in manifesting comes mainly from their experience in doing it. I started when they were young, encouraging them; “use your power”. I affirmed every experience that worked out for them and still do today. My main action is to listen to them and then to ask The Question: What do you want? They state it and I say, let me know when it happens.
        They just “know” now that life supports them and that they have the power to manifest what they want.
        I also believe you need to clear your past away because you may be getting what you want already; it just may not be what you believe you want (i.e. you may believe you want success when you actually want acknowledgement or sympathy) When we start working with children when they are young, as I did with mine, there isn’t really much from the childhood to clear since childhood is where you are!
        As for myself, I write down questions and use vision boards and visualizations. I also love a technique I think I shared with you already by “Dr Grayson on Youtube for creating new neuro pathways in the brain” (just Google those words and you’ll find it) There are so many wonderful tools, aren’t there?
        Lori

        • Steve

          Wow…you have given your children such a wonderful gift to know that life is supportive and nurturing. My partner and I often joke about this because it’s something we know and have experienced but neither of us were raised this way.

          We joke and say, “Devil’s gonna getcha!” Because this expression is a silly expression of the feeling that we grew up with. We didn’t literally think the devil was going to get us, but we were raised to always be believing that life is bad/hard, etc and there was really no hope for this life…it just had to be endured.

          How grateful I am that my understanding and belief system has shifted. However, as you point out, there is a lot of clearing to do.

          Yes, you did share that YT video. I need to go watch it again and again. It is wonderful that there are many tools available which allow us to reset our understanding. It’s another way that shows us that life truly is supportive even when we’ve been taught incorrectly.

          Thanks for sharing your insights and tips.

  • http://www.seasonalcoloranalysis.net Jeanine Byers @ Seasonal Color Analysis

    Do you own a resort in the Caribbean? Because if you do, I’m going to come when you start having your spiritual retreats there. :)

    This is a great post, Steve! There is a decision I have been contemplating and I think I am going to do it. When I read your words about always knowing what to do, it felt like they were about this decision. Once again, I am thinking, can I afford it? But what I really know is that just like the last time I asked that question, I decided to trust that everything would work out and it did!

    • Steve

      No, Jeanine, I don’t own it. Wasn’t quite ready, but it started me on the path of reaching for more. The people who did buy it, renovated it beautifully…you can check it out here. I would love to do a retreat there someday. It’s totally secluded, though and really no development. You can check it out if u want to see some cool pics. http://www.bahiamarina.net/

      I’m so glad that this post “spoke” to you, Jeanine. I would love to hear more about your decision…you can always share more in a PM on fb or e-mail. (or not, if you don’t want to!) ;)

      Either way, it really is about doing the step you can see, then the next. I’m actually thinking about doing a follow up post to this because of the feedback I’ve gotten on it. I’ll maybe create some worksheets to help you. Keep an eye peeled.

      You might also scroll down and listen to the podcast on this topic. Nothing new, but maybe said in a little bit different way…it’s only 15 minutes as I try to keep them pretty short.

      SO excited for you.

  • http://dawnbarclay.com Dawn Barclay

    Do what you know to do, even if you don’t know how! Beautiful Steve. This is a lovely message,thank you.

    There is such big difference between ‘I know’ and allowing ‘I just KNOW’, the last for me is the leap.

    Lovely.
    Dawn

    • Steve

      Thanks so much for sharing this post, Dawn. Everything I write is really a lesson to myself first. There has to be a balance between the philosophical and the practical for me. I had to figure out how to move forward even if I didn’t know the exact path. I had to create some sort of momentum and that is where this principle comes from. It requires stepping out and allowing life to meet me on the way.

      I can really empathize with your “leap” to allowing. For me it is still taking action even when I KNOW it’s the right thing to do. Fear tends to want to sneak in and disrupt my courage. What about you? Is it fear that makes taking the leap difficult. Is it something else? How do you move into a space of perfect allowing and balance that with taking the action necessary to move forward?

  • http://www.craftingthesacred.com Jo

    Thanks Steve for the reminder that it’s really all about baby steps. I think we often get to caught up in wanting radical change that we forget that even one action will make us feel SO much better than feeling stuck. Happy May Day – may it bring you much joy and heart-opening connection!

    • Steve

      Thanks for stopping by, Jo!

      I agree with you! It’s about taking each step that is in the “now” instead of worrying about everything that’s yet to be (or already was). It’s really about returning to the present and being present!

  • Michael

    It reminds me of a mentor who told me that sometimes, the first step is not to think and just do what you have to do and accept the outcome.

    • Steve

      Hi, Michael! It really is about creating momentum, because that seems to break up the fear blockage that may exist. Thanks for stopping by the site and commenting.

  • Monica@Mon Cheri Dresses

    I always experience this “I don’t know what to do thing”. But I always end up doing the right thing. Because from the very start you know exactly what to do. Just don’t be afraid to try.

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      That’s exactly it, Monica! It’s about not being afriad to try.