You can’t…or can you?

Do you have a goal that you are trying to achieve in life or are you dealing with a situation that you’d like to see different, better? Have you done everything you can think of, but you don’t seem to be making any progress and nothing is changing? It could boil down to one single mindset that you are holding onto. Let’s look at just one example of a mindset which could be holding you back from reaching what you want for your life. The mindset of can’t vs. can.  Bring to mind something you are struggling with or something you are trying to accomplish but just not getting it done. Are you using the words “I can’t” or “I can.” Most likely you are using the word can’t. “Why can’t I get over this?” “I just can’t do this!” Let’s look at a random scenario, a struggle with weight loss and getting in better physical health. Is this something you are struggling with? First, think about your self-talk. Are your words to yourself motivating or self-defeating? Whenever you tell yourself you can’t, you simply won’t. You are defeated. Go no further wondering why you are not reaching your goals and desires if you are using the word can’t in your thought life. Unless you are willing to start talking to yourself in terms of “I can” and start working on the things you “can” do you will go nowhere and perhaps even get unhealthier. Sticking with the scenario of weight loss. Start with baby steps. In the morning just look at what you are eating for breakfast and ask yourself “What is one thing I can change about my breakfast this morning that would be healthier for me?” Don’t say, “I can’t make it without breakfast.” Rather look at something small you can change about your breakfast consumption. Can you replace the toast with a banana or grapefruit or can you skip the glass of orange juice and drink water. Say, “Yes, I can make that change for this meal today.” Exercise wise, think about what you can do to burn a few more calories that day. Instead of saying “I can’t go to the gym for an hour, or I can’t run a mile.”, change that self-talk to, “I might not be able to run a mile but I CAN get up and walk for five minutes.” If five minutes is all you can do, DO IT. It’s the old saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. If you say, I CAN walk for 5 minutes, it will lead to I CAN walk for 10 minutes and before you know it you will be going one mile. We all have limitations in our current condition or situations. It might be true that you currently cannot walk or run a mile. Stop focusing on what you can’t do and focus on what you can do. The word “can’t” subconsciously hinders forward motion and progress. Making this simple mindset shift from can’t to can will motivate you in the right direction toward what you want.  No one ever made any progress toward towards a goal by saying “I can’t do it.”