Ambiguity can be really uncomfortable. Many of us would much rather know the answers to fewer questions than deal with the uncertainty (and potential embarrassment) that comes with facing the unknown.

Instead of leaning into that discomfort, we may try to avoid unfamiliar situations, jump to conclusions based on our narrow understanding of a problem, and get stuck repeating the same tired approaches over and over.

But you can’t create anything worthwhile if you only acknowledge the types of problems you feel most comfortable solving. Building a business is a dynamic process with countless moving parts to contend with every day. Limiting the scope of problems you’re willing to face places similar limits on your business’s potential.

So how can you let go of your need to “know,” and focus on solving the types of unfamiliar problems that will actually move your business in the direction you want?

Here’s something to consider—what if you stopped trying to always look so smart, and instead be willing to look dumb once in a while? Not BEING dumb. Just looking dumb.

Needing to always look smart may be what’s keeping you stuck. Looking smart requires that you always know the right answer, and you’ll only know the right answers to problems you’ve already solved.

But being okay with looking dumb once in a while means that you’ll be more willing to ask better questions:

• Questions that you don’t automatically know the answers to.
• Questions about the real challenges and obstacles that are standing between you and your vision.
• Questions that will lead to true business breakthroughs.

What will you do today that may make you LOOK dumb but actually BE really smart?

Will you ask yourself a question that you don’t already know the answer to?