Let’s talk about an important 4 letter word…
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Dear Friend,
Let’s talk about an important 4 letter word….
CAN’T
How often do you catch yourself using the word can’t?
“I can’t reach out to senior leaders in my organization. They won’t have time for me.”
“I can’t build a $1 million+ business. I don’t have the necessary experience.”
“I can’t apply for that position. I’m not ready yet.”
Many a times the reasons we give to rationalize our “can’t” are quite convincing. And so the “can’t” remains a “can’t,” and we feel stuck, disappointed or frustrated.
In my own experience, I’ve observed 9 times out of 10, the “can’t” is really a “won’t.”
It is a choice that we have made NOT to do something, consciously or unconsciously.
Try this exercise:
Replace the words “I can’t” with “I’m choosing not to…”
“I can’t apply for that position” is really “I’m choosing to not apply for that position.”
“I can’t reach out to senior leaders” is really “I’m choosing to not reach out to senior leaders.”
“I can’t build a $1 million+ business” is really “I’m choosing to not build a $1 million+ business.”
Do you notice the shift in how that sounds?
I find when you reframe your “can’t” this way, it is actually liberating because it brings the power back to you.
It moves you from a helpless state to an empowered state by reminding you that it is a choice that you have made, and once you gain that awareness, you can then…
A. Dig deeper and ask yourself:
“Why did I make this choice?”
“What am I afraid will happen?”
“Who or what am I protecting?”
“What is this choice costing me?”
B. And then, make a different choice
“What would happen if I made a different choice?”
“Who would I become if I made a different choice?”
“What would help me make this choice?”
The quality of our life is a function of the choices that we make, consciously or unconsciously.
The more you live from a place of conscious awareness, the more you get to make the kind of choices that move you towards joy and meaning in your life.
Tell me, what is your relationship with the word “Can’t”?
Bhavna Toor
Chief Mindfulness Officer
Shenomics
