Proof

“I’m not ready yet.”

That one doesn’t need evidence. It just needs to sound responsible.

“Let’s wait and see.”

No timeline required.

“Someone else is better positioned.”

No names necessary.

Those land easily.

But then:

“Decide without getting one more opinion.”

“Stick with it after the excitement wears off.”

“Act on what you already know.”

Suddenly, we want proof. More context. One more signal.

We ask if it’s the right moment. If it’s smart. If it’s justified.

The first set preserves the story we tell about ourselves. The second one interferes with it.

So one feels reasonable. And the other feels premature.

Not because it’s unclear. But because it would change what we do next.