I CAN DO IT!!

How many times have you looked at an obstacle or task and uttered the words,” I can’t do this”? I bet if you were being honest here, you would answer that with “I’ve done that plenty of times”. Something I have recently learned that I felt was so profound and really needed to be taught to others was a simple little exercise. Which I will get to in just a minute.

Last month I had the awesome privilege of attending a Get Motivated Seminar, which I would highly recommend to everyone to attend if ever given the opportunity. I drove 2 hours one way to get to this particular seminar. It was well worth the trip as I got to see greats such as Bruce Pearl, UT Head Basketball Coach, Pat Summit, Rudy Giuliani, and the spectacular Zig Ziglar. In fact, it was Zig Ziglar that I learned this exercise from.

So Let’s just get to it. I want you to explain to me what a “Can’t” looks like. Describe it in any way, shape, or form that you possibly can. What’s the matter, are you not able to picture what it looks like? How about its taste, color, or shape? So let’s try something a little easier, describe what a “CAN” looks like? Many of you may answer a can of beans, a tall slender can, a short round can. All of these adequately describe what a CAN looks like. The reason for this little exercise is to try and get you to think about how you use this word. Why do you use a word you are unable to describe? If you are unable to describe what it looks like or feels like, then what are you using it for? Why are you putting so much power into the word?

We walk around allowing this simple 4 letter word dictate what we are and are not doing in our lives. Sure, when presented with a difficult task that is outside of our comfort zone, we immediately say, “I wish I could, but I just can’t”. Is that the honest truth? Are you saying No because you have never tried and are just a little scared or are you really saying, I can’t because you have tried before and failed?

The first thing I want you to do is to be honest with yourself. Everything that is worth doing is uncomfortable at first. How about the first time you asked someone out on a date. Boy, I’m sure that was terrifying, but you did it and this may be the person you are now married to or have the fondest memories of. What about that career move you made. I bet that gave you an uneasy feeling in the beginning. You see the best things in life are scary and uncomfortable at first, but they also usually become the most unforgettable and most important steps we make in life.

The second step in this new way of thinking is to take the word, “CAN’T” completely out of your vocabulary. Do not allow your children to use the word EVER! Even if things seem impossible, try them anyways. You have nothing to lose in that situation and I promise you will grow from the experience. Take a step forward by looking at every situation as I can do it. When your boss presents an idea or task at the next business meaning, raise your hand and say, “well I’ve never done that before, but I would surely like to have a go at it.” At least make an honest attempt at it, I guarantee your boss will respect you for trying. When you allow yourself the power of trying new things you never know where those new steps will take you in life. I encourage you to empower yourself today, but eliminating the one word that will hold you back from all the wonderful experiences in life.