OpsanBlog

Michael Coates - Microsoft Pragmatic Evangelist

Posted with:
 Windows Live Writer
 Download Live Writer

My Windows Live Local Collections:
 Las Vegas
 Los Angeles
 San Jose
 Seattle
 Washington, DC
 My Walks

Article Categories

Archives

Post Categories

Bloggers

But, "I can't"

Thanks to Adrian Savage and lifehack.org for this post: “But I Can't”.

This spoke to me:

“I can’t…” is among the earliest phrases most children learn, and they use it freely, to the frustration of parents everywhere. “But you can,” we tell them. “Just try.” It’s no good. They’ve made up their minds. They can’t. And they don’t. Until, one day, they can and it all seems so easy after all.

Followed by this:

Adults are little different. “I can’t” can mean so many things. Sometimes it means, “I’ve never done this before and I’m scared I won’t be successful.” Sometimes it means, “I’m not confident about doing this well enough, so I’ll pass in case I embarrass myself.” Sometimes, “I don’t want to be bothered.” Mostly, it means “I don’t want to.”

The words “I can't” are in my vocabulary, of course: but I try to never use them.  I believe there is always a way.

Thanks again, Adrian!

posted on Monday, November 28, 2005 10:56 AM

Feedback

# re: But, "I can't" 1/3/2006 6:58 AM Mandie Rose

That phrase is not allowed at Sandy Keane's School of Dance where Midori takes tumbling and ballet, Malia takes tap and ballet, and I take tap, jazz, and ballet. I'm not a huge fan of that phrase but do catch myself using it from time to time...OOPS!!

Title  
Name  
Url
Comments   

The opinions expressed herein are my own and are not intended to represent those of my employer.