I Can’t >>> How Can I?

Let’s Remove ‘I Can’t’ From Our Vocabulary.

“I can't” is a phrase that can be a natural reaction, something that can slip out in a conversation. “I can't” can also sometimes be an uncommunicated thought inside your head. Either way, the phrase “I can't” is a mental anchor that weighs you down and limits you.

So today, let’s remove “I can't” from our vocabulary.

The next time you spot yourself saying “I can't,” I want you to stop and swap those words for “how can I?”

SPOT. STOP. SWAP.

I Can’t >> How Can I?

“How can I?” thinking spikes your creativity and imagination, helping you naturally look for answers. “How can I?” keeps you in the mindset to seek solutions using the resources around you.

So instead of “I can’t,” ask yourself “how can I?” And then write down three ways you can. Because you always can.

If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, replace “I can't” with a more specific negative statement such as “I choose not to, because…” or “I don’t have time, because…” This switch in language removes excuses, replacing them with conscious choices that you can address head on.

As you grow, you will encounter uncharted territory. Sometimes, you won’t have the experience to have all the answers, and that’s okay. It’s what you do next that matters, because there are no closed doors on your growth path when you are prepared to open those doors and seek solutions. 

Willpower Is Like A Muscle.

The more aware you are of the strength of your willpower, the more you use it, and the easier it becomes to do the things that are hard. 

When “I can't” becomes “how can I?” we start finding answers and moving forward.

Answers and actions create incredible transformations.

About the author

Fernando Borghese

Fernando Borghese is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Digital Media Solutions (DMS), the fastest growing independent agency focused on performance marketing. In this role, Fernando is responsible the day to day leadership and management of the company, encompassing all lines of business. He has a successful track record of building high-performing teams that that deliver measurable impact for Digital Media Solutions and its award-winning vertical-specific brands within highly complex and competitive industries. Under his leadership, DMS has achieved incredible year-over-year growth, which has earned recognition on the Inc. 5000 list in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.