Bob Schwartz

Smart people, or people who think they’re smart, often start the day knowing a lot, and proceeding to discuss what they know, to apply what they know, and to learn more to know.

Setting aside whether these people know as much as they think they do, or should know it more quietly and privately, here’s a little something that really can’t hurt: Start the day knowing nothing.

This isn’t the same as forgetting what you do know. It is more like instantly taking a grand look at everything you do know—which might be very grand indeed—and deciding to hide it away. Just for a little while. You’ll find someplace to put it.

Try it. You may be surprised and amazed at how comfortable and healing it can be to know nothing. You may grow to like it, and so may those around you.