There is nothing more frustrating either in handling an activity or in  project execution than not knowing how to move forward or simply put “not knowing what to do”. This hinders decision making and execution of plans. It also impacts negatively on speed to success, time of completing a project, and might lead to increased cost of the project. Not knowing what to do could put you in a dilemma of being confused, agitated and angry, this destabilizes your coordination, process or thought flow.

For example:  John Folks have been planning on buying a used car, he has been saving for some months now, but failed to take a decision on the following which are key decision making questions:

• What type of car to buy?
• Will it be an SUV or a salon car?
• Should I buy a Toyota Chrysler, a Nissan or a Benz?
• What is the engine capacity?
• How fuel efficient is this type of Car?
• What is the maintenance cost?
• Then will also need to know how much does this finally selected car cost?,
• How long do I need to save to raise the required funds?
• Then he can now ask the ultimate question how much do I need to save monthly to be able to buy my car of choice?.

This process will help John to be looking for say Toyota corolla instead of looking for all the cars mentioned above.

Not knowing what to do could put you in a dilemma of being confused, agitated and angry, this destabilizes your coordination, process or thought flow. When one is not sure of he/she wants, every advice becomes good advice. In such situation, anyone can become a source of counsel. Distraction sets in because whatever that looks like what you want to do appears to be an option.

This is not the case when you know what to do. Knowing what to do helps you to be precise, focused, efficient, effective and swift. Decision making is easier and distractions are eliminated. You are sure of the type of advice you need and where to get it.

When you know what to do, you tend to be more focused and not be taken by chance, because you already know what you want.

To know what to do especially in executing projects or activities that would lead to desired result/destination requires that one should approach it from a position of knowledge. Knowing is derived from the word knowledge, to help you understand more we have to define what knowledge is.

According to google search Knowledge is facts, information and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject or it’s also the awareness or familiarity gained by experience of facts or situation. Knowledge produces confidence and approves someone’s competence in an area. Just realizing that someone has a grip of the issues involved would encourage approaching an execution with confidence.

The synonyms of Knowledge are; understanding, comprehension, grasp, grip, command, mastery etc.

The key to knowing what to do is to acquire knowledge and knowledge can be acquired if you ASK. ASK is an acronym for Ask, Seek and Knock.

1. ASK Questions- you ask not necessarily because you don’t know but because you want to know more and make better decisions. Asking is a process of unraveling an answer to a problem through a question. For you to ask there must be a question, so you must develop the right questions to ask, in the process of developing the question, you tend to understand the real problem you are dealing with. Questions are very critical in being able to figure out what to do.

Write down: the process of writing has been established to be linked to your thought process and your ability to remember all your questions and answers respectively.

Information is available, ask for it; it will be given to you, but it might be large and unrefined or contains other things that are not needed for your journey or project.

2. Seek the Answer: Seeking is the process of focused research. Here, the areas of available information have been mapped, that is you have received the information but it’s not stream lined enough, the process of seeking helps you to find/bring out the important information for your immediate use.

Seeking refines raw facts, sifting useful information from the junk of available information.

In seeking you perform various what-if analyses on some possible answers you must have identified and then grouped for further evaluation.

3. Knocking Convincingly: knocking gives you access to the know-how, this is where you come out with the word “eureka”, you now have the required understanding. In knocking you make a noise and attract attention, the answer is clear the direction is open and you keep hitting it.

Knowing what to do is all about seeking information and growing in knowledge continuously, in doing this you will be better than the pack, that’s what defines a leader. Leaders always know what to do, don’t appear to be confused because they are focused and have seen the future in advance, ahead of every other person.

So are you confused or you don’t know what to do? Seek knowledge and ASK.

People who ASK are said to be WISE. Wisdom is the correct application of Knowledge.

Will like to get your feedback especially your experiences and what you did to change your situation.

I will love to receive your feedback.