What exactly is a “guesstimate”? Here’s a definition for you…
- noun: an estimate based on a mixture of guesswork and calculation.
- verb: to estimate (something) using a mixture of guesswork and calculation.
Most of the time we know what’s best for us in our lives.
Other times we don’t.
If you’re anything like me you have to turn to people you trust for their expert opinions, guidance and advice.
Whether it be someone in a position of authority like a doctor or lawyer, a friend or family member, or even a fortune teller…
You just want to know what to expect based on their expert opinion.
But sometimes even experts don’t know and can only give you an expected outcome or a medical diagnosis that’s a guesstimate.
But if the guesstimate you get given has no hope, how do you feel?
If it’s a Doctor, do you still trust them and take their advice?
Do you take on their hopeless view?
If their guesstimate doesn’t align with the end result – how helpful was that expert?
Guesstimates can allow us to process and accept where we are at.
They can also drive us to work harder to prove those experts wrong.
But in the worst case they can stall you at your very core.
So how helpful do you think a ‘guesstimate’ is, if it isn’t such a good guess in the first place?