There’s a lot of stuff in the universe. A lot of stuff.

There may even be multiple universes, existing in parallel to ours.

I like to think that’s the case.

It stokes my curiosity, my wonder, my awe at the existence of myself, the Earth, and this, and any other as-yet-undiscovered universes.

But while I may hope for the existence of alternate universes, I don’t really have an opinion on the topic, I’m far from being whatever kind of physicist studies that kind of thing.

What do I know?

The fact that a universe filled with so much stuff also contains so many opinions about said stuff is more than a little absurd.

How is it possible that in a universe full of so much complexity, unknown and perhaps even unknowable, that to simply admit we don’t know or have an opinion on any given subject is to subordinate ourselves to others with more conviction?

I suppose it’s not entirely unexpected.

Opinions are easy to come by and our culture encourages their development and their sharing, our rights to free speech are co-opted to justify the sharing of any opinion, no matter how wrong or harmful.

Opinions are an easy substitute for original thoughts, with what’s lacking in substance made up for in volume.

Opinions are comforting. They help us feel like we have some control, like we understand what’s going on around us, like we’re smarter, better, and more in the know than those around us.

Opinions do not help us create better, more meaningful work, however.

To make work that’s new, that makes an impact, that has substance, we need to start with not knowing, being in the dark, without an opinion.

It’s uncomfortable, to be sure.

But nothing great begins at a place of comfort and certainty.

It’s getting comfortable with the not-knowing, grappling with the uncertainty and really, truly seeking to understand the problem we’re trying to solve that leads to work that matters.

It’s the unknown that fuels our sense of wonder, curiosity and awe, which in turn fuels our creativity.

Lucky for us, there are likely dozens of opportunities every day to start getting comfortable with all we don’t know and embracing it.

Next time you’re asked for your opinion on the economy, the housing market, foreign policy or any other complex system that few, if any, truly understand, say it out loud.

“I don’t know.”

Do it again. Build the muscle. Admit again and again how little you know until it becomes second nature.

Then, with every unknown, find wonder, curiosity, and magic in life’s mysteries and dive in and explore them

Take pride that while others are busy forming opinions, you’re forming your best work.