Stop talking yourself out of great possibilities

You’ve just seen an opportunity that could skyrocket your career, yet the first thought out of your mouth is “I can’t.” Before you run away from the chance, pause and notice that internal voice. That “can’t” is not a fact but a fear in disguise. It’s a mindset that thrives on excuses rather than solutions.

Every time you say “I can’t,” you’re opening a door to doubt. Victors train themselves to shut that door. Instead of repeating why you can’t, flip the script. Ask yourself, “What if I can?” This one small question rewires your brain from paralysis to possibility. The evidence you feared was missing often appears once you start seeking it.

Pick one “I can’t” from your list and replace it with “I can,” then take one baby step. Journal for five minutes, speak on one slide, learn one guitar chord or walk for five minutes if you’re aiming for a 5K. With each tiny win, your confidence rises. Before you know it, the tasks that once felt impossible become routine. Einstein said that imagination is more powerful than knowledge, but without the belief that you can act on your ideas, even the most brilliant plans remain dormant.

Dissolve your “can’ts,” amplify your “cans,” and watch how quickly you transform your world.

Notice every time you say “I can’t” today and jot it down. For each entry, ask yourself, “What evidence contradicts that claim?” Then rewrite the statement as “I can” and plan a tiny first step you can complete within 24 hours—perhaps writing one paragraph or practicing for five minutes. This shifts your brain from doubt to action and gets the ball rolling on your biggest possibilities.