Words Done Write: Turning "I can't" into "I can"

I have an elderly neighbor who likes to tell me "You can't". You can't fix that, you can't lift this, you can't solve that. For years, I've responded the same way. "I'm smarter than you think" or "I'm stronger than you realize". Every time she's said "You can't", I've quite handily conquered the challenge.

However, if there came a time when she said "You can't" and I actually had a problem doing whatever it was, I would find a way to do it. I'm determined and pride myself on finding solutions. I'd find a way if only because she said I couldn't.

Cheerleaders in our lives are important. People who support us, give us compliments, and inflate our egos. However, naysayers can be just as motivating. The desire to prove someone wrong can be just as powerful as the desire to make someone proud.

If you think you can't, you're probably right. But, if someone else thinks you can't, release your inner Hulk and show that person what you're made of. Success is even sweeter when you accomplish what others thought impossible.

Now, go seize the day...

18 comments:

daveOctober 14, 2011 at 7:36 AM
I know you can and will.. if you haven't already ;o)
socialmediaddsOctober 14, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Hahaha...I absolutely love the "release your inner Hulk"...it is SO true!. We only can't when we think we can't. If you can repackage obstacle so that they don't take on a negative connotation, can'ts become fun to change into cans. It's all in the mindset...the packaging. I couldn't agree with you more! There is a line of thinking that says that we learn more from the obstacles and mistakes in our lives than we do from the successes in our lives. I think that there is some truth to that...when we overcome a can't, it is often far more impactful in our life lessons.
Fun and powerful post, Amber!
Claudia
Words Done WriteOctober 14, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Hello Claudia! You're so right. Overcoming a can't can give us a great life lesson. Taking on challenges helps us push our limits and achieve things we may not even know we could do!

Hulks unite! ;-)
PamMktgNutOctober 14, 2011 at 8:01 PM
You can Amber! Good words. Nice simple post and uplifting. Thanks! :)
Words Done WriteOctober 15, 2011 at 1:57 PM
Thanks for stopping by, Pam! A "can" is within us all, huh? :-)
bdorman264October 16, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Hey, I think some cheerleaders in my life would be pretty cool; my wife might not dig on it unless they would cook and clean the house.....

I use can't as a motivator; I like to have to have the attitude 'well, I'll just show them, huh?'. It's also good to have a support group to help you in your quest because being out there on an island can be lonely at times.

Guess where I'm going tomorrow night? The tweetup at the PRSA International Convention to see Gini, Shonali and Adam Patorek; it will be the first time meeting them in person. I'm looking forward to it; it will be cool.
Words Done WriteOctober 16, 2011 at 5:50 PM
Yay! Have fun at the tweetup! Wish I could go. Sound like a blast!

Yeah, no man is an island, huh? As for the cheerleaders who cook and clean, sign me up for that! That would be a whole lot of wonderful!

Thanks for chiming in, Bill! :-)
castelinokelvinOctober 17, 2011 at 7:32 AM
I always do that when it comes to cooking! But sometimes its the sad part, and the victims are my room mates!! :) :)
lisagerberOctober 17, 2011 at 7:52 AM
I am working on an obstacle right now. Thanks for getting in my head and getting me going this Monday morning. Some good self-talk is always helpful too.
"I can do this, I'm smart enough to figure this out, I will look back on this and remember how much I learned, and how far I've come." Now will it solve itself already? LOL.
lisagerberOctober 17, 2011 at 7:53 AM
Have fun at the tweetup tonight!! Sorry I won't get to meet you in person, Bill!
Words Done WriteOctober 17, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Well, cooking can be harder than it looks sometimes! ;-) Practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting on those roommates of yours!
Words Done WriteOctober 17, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Ha ha. Go, Lisa!

Yeah, sometimes a pep talk to yourself can help. Even if it's just a, "Do it so I can move on and get it over with!" kind of talk. I need to give myself one of those today, too!

Good luck with your obstacle. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
bdorman264October 18, 2011 at 11:16 AM
We had a blast (Gini might say otherwise, but don't believe her if she does). Fortunately, Adam and I were able to meet up with her an hour before the event so that was nice to have her undivided attention. I was hoping you would make it too, but Gini said she didn't tell anybody she was leaving until Thursday.......

We didn't get a picture with Gini so that will force her to have to meet up again; maybe you will be around next time too.
bdorman264October 18, 2011 at 11:17 AM
We did, it was bery, bery fun.............
Words Done WriteOctober 18, 2011 at 12:03 PM
That's wonderful, Bill! So glad you went! Unfortunately, Florida is a bit far for me. No bloated, corporate expense account these days. :-(

Hope to meet both you and Gini one day soon!
lisagerberOctober 18, 2011 at 7:54 PM
I was locked in the content creation closet. (ccc) but we'll go with her answer. One day we'll have Spin Sucks Pro tweet ups. I look forward to it!
Words Done WriteOctober 19, 2011 at 9:44 AM
Oh no! Not the closet again!
castelinokelvinOctober 31, 2011 at 12:14 AM
Will let them know, that you have asked me to do this! ;)