Positive Thinking and Self Talk
How To Say “I Can” Instead Of “I Can’t”
By Jeff Cohen
Aug 7, 2006, 14:56

Have you heard any of these excuses?

• I can't, I'm not qualified.
• I can't do this, I'm not smart enough.
• I can't do this, I don't know how.

The world is full of people who keep on saying, "I can't." Are you one of them?

If you are one of them, don't worry, for there is a solution. You can transform your "I can't do" into "I can".

Everybody wants to be an effective doer or problem solver. The problem is that only a handful effectively become one. The rest shy away or rely too much on others to handle their problems.

If you are one of those who have a passive or negative attitude, you may have serious self-doubt about your own capabilities. Being in such a situation can be very frustrating and a complete drain on your mental state the longer it lasts. However, this attitude can be changed. Here's how you can turn self-doubt into self-trust.

1. Start stepping outside your comfort zone. Do things you normally wouldn't have the courage to do. Remember, change doesn't come easy nor will success. You'll need to constantly remind yourself that you expect a positive outcome when you try. The results may not be immediate, but they will come gradually until success seems perfectly natural to you. So don't give up if you don't succeed after just several tries.

2. Lack of knowledge and absence of resources are some of the reasons why you may think a specific problem cannot be solved or behavior changed. However, you always have a choice to adopt a more positive attitude. Always think: "There's got to be a way and I will discover it." Develop this power within you. Say it as many times as you need to.

3. While on the trail of finding a solution to any problem or changing your attitude, failures will occur. Don't let your negative thoughts stop you. Keep trying. Your persistence will reap rewards. Remember, "I can't" to "I can" does not come instantly and easily. If it came easy, then "I can't" would not have existed.

4. It is normal to feel stressed, anxious, and even panicky in the midst of a problem or change. Don't trick yourself into imagining that there is no solution or that the finish line is out of reach.

Refrain from thinking that you need to rely on somebody else because you have doubts about your own capabilities. Trust in yourself that the answer is forthcoming and it is coming via your own initiative.

5. Ask yourself: "If fear of failure occupies a spot on my mind, then the joy of success deserves an equal spot!" Let good thoughts dominate your mind and toss out the thoughts of failure.

The solution to any problem or change is not the issue here. The issue lies in the way you handle it. It all boils down to your attitude. Is it possible to transform "I can't" to "I can"? Yes. Absolutely it is. But it's up to you to do it.

Step outside your comfort zone and take a leap forward today. It doesn't matter how small the leap is...just do it and feel great.

# # # # #