If you’ve stepped into a non-traditional education model—especially one led by the learner—you’ve likely run into this moment:
“I don’t know what I want to do next.”
It can feel like a stall-out, or even failure. But it’s not.
It’s the beginning of something real.
When we guide learners away from rigid plans and into agency, we invite uncertainty in. And that’s where the magic lives—not in having the answer, but in learning how to listen for it.
To the coach, parent, or mentor feeling unsure:
You don’t need to solve the “I don’t know.” You just need to stay present.
Here’s one small suggestion:
- Ask the learner to name three things they’re curious about—without needing to choose or commit.
Just notice. Curiosity is a compass, and it will often nudge them toward their next step.
And while they’re learning to trust their own timing, you’re learning too.
You’re doing the work. You’re doing it well.
Hang in there.