Did you know that what you say to yourself is one of the biggest determining factors to your success?
It’s more powerful than the state of the economy, your friend’s opinion, the weather or what your mother taught you (although what you tell yourself may in fact be your mother’s voice in your head).
Researchers tell us that 9 out of 10 thoughts are negative, so it’s worth paying attention to what you say.
What things are you telling yourself you can’t do?
Things like:
I can’t lose weight.
I can’t stay focused.
I can’t charge more.
I can’t make a decision.
I can’t work out in the morning.
I can’t cut out sugar.
I can’t stop worrying.
I can’t get my kids to listen.
Depressing, isn’t it?
Yet, if you keep saying that, you are right. Why?
Because your brain doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong. When you say “I can’t,” guess what? It believes you. Your brain is designed to gather evidence for what you say is true. It wants to prove you right every time. So it energetically attracts circumstances and conditions to do exactly that.
When you ask your brain a question, it immediately goes into solving mode. Your brain loves finding solutions for questions you ask.
For the the next few weeks, pick something you are telling yourself you can’t do, and ask yourself, “How Can I?” or “What if that was possible?”
Be mindful of any cousins to “I can’t” that are equally blocking your success.
A cousin to “I can’t get up early” is “I am not a morning person.”
Instead ask:
“How could I get up early?” or
“What if I learned to love my morning time and woke up gently?”
A cousin to “I can’t get clients to pay me” is “I have to charge low rates to get business.”
Instead ask:
“How could I demonstrate the high value of my services?” or
“What if I discovered where to find ideal clients who would pay my higher rates?”
A cousin to “I can’t lose weight” is “I’m not trying to lose weight because I don’t believe in depriving myself.”
Instead ask:
“How could I make eating clean and moving every day fun?” or
“What if losing weight was an easy and inspiring treat I gave myself?”
“I can’t” statements and all of their cousins are show stoppers. They squash dreams and your confidence. That’s why I invite you to notice them quickly and reframe.
Focus on possibilities and new ways of seeing and doing things, and watch how the pathways open up in your world.
No Legs, No Limits
Want to see what happens when “I Can’t” isn’t part of the equation? Meet Jennifer Bricker and watch her inspiring story of becoming a gymnastics tumbler with no legs!
Perspective is golden, isn’t it?
Love and no limits,
Paula
P.S. What’s one limitation you place on yourself that you are ready to let go of? Share in the comments below.
My husband loves learning and teaching me new things. For some reason, I always say “I can’t” even if I want to give it a try. He taught me to roller skate even with my resistance. I am now learning a stick shift car and I like it but it scares me and I constantly get mad then say “I can’t drive this” and give up. I don’t want to be that person anymore. There is nothing physically stopping me from driving that car it was simply a mental block. Today I have decided to go out and practice driving until I get it right. I know I can do this.
Jessica, good for you for getting out and just doing it. If ever, “I can’t” shows up again, ask yourself, “What if I could drive this car?” or “How can I drive it a little better today than I did yesterday? What can I improve?”
Cheering you on,
Paula