There's Something You Don't Know EP 445

Peter Shankman said, “Everyone in the world knows something you don’t.” I love that reminder. Especially when I’m comfortable in my routine, talking to the same people, going to the same places, and hearing ideas that sound a lot like my own. There’s nothing wrong with familiar. But there’s something hopeful about remembering how much we haven’t experienced yet. Someone you haven’t met could introduce you to a book you’ll love. Someone whose life looks very different from yours could help you understand something you’ve never had to consider. A conversation you almost skipped could leave you thinking about an old problem in a new way. We don’t have to enter every room with a goal. We can show up because we’re curious. Because other people have stories, interests, and experiences that deserve our attention. Maybe that looks like attending an event where you won’t know anyone. Taking a class simply because the subject interests you. Asking someone a question and giving them enough time to answer beyond the polite, expected response. Tell me more about that. How did you get interested in it? What has that been like for you? And then listening. Letting their answer take the conversation somewhere you couldn’t have planned. I think hope grows in those moments. Our world gets a little bigger. We discover an idea, a possibility, or a connection we didn’t know was available. It’s encouraging to remember that our own experience, as real and valuable as it is, isn’t the full picture. There’s more to learn. There are people we’ll be glad we met. There are things we may come to love that we haven’t even heard of yet. Today, give yourself a small opening for something unfamiliar. Say hello. Ask the next question. Try the thing you’ve been curious about. Everyone knows something you don’t. There’s a whole world of discovery in that. Peter's Substack Post https://petershankmanofficial.substack.com/p/stop-staring-at-my-badge-it-cant