Do You Think You Can?

Posted October 26, 2009 · Filed Under Accountability · 770 views · 9 Comments  

It may be a simple question, but the answer has far-reaching effects in your life. If you don’t think you can do something, it’s very likely you won’t even try. You won’t put the time, effort or energy into it because, after all, it would be a waste, right? And who has time, effort or energy to waste these days?

On the other hand, if you think you can do something, you’re probably more than willing to invest the time, effort and energy into it because you’re pretty sure you’ll get the result you’re after.

So what makes the difference between thinking you can’t and thinking you can do something? For most of us, it’s proof. Proof in the form of results, past results, most likely. Where does that leave you if you’re looking at trying something completely new? Empty-handed? Not necessarily.

Just because you’ve never done a particular thing before does not mean you lack proof of your ability. All you have to do is rewind back to the last time you had to do something you thought you couldn’t do, but did. Guess what? There’s your proof. We each have things in our past that we thought for sure were going to ‘eat our lunch’, but didn’t.

There was a time in my life that I thought there was NO WAY I’d be able to earn a living from home without a job. I have three kids, a mortgage and a car payment, for crying out loud, plus I’m single with no other income to rely on! Well, guess what I’ve been doing since December of 2002?

Maybe for you it’s your managing your website or blog, or writing effective marketing copy, or picking up the phone and reaching out to a prospective new client, or any number of other things that loom over you.

Matters not. You’ve got proof. And the really good news is that “proof” from one area of your life transfers over to any other area of your life, because the proof is really about all the times – in any situation or context – that you did something you didn’t think you could do.

What can you change your mind about today and think you can, instead?

Anything unattempted remains impossible.


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Comments

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9 Responses to “Do You Think You Can?”

  1. Big Link Rally
    October 26th, 2009 4:39 pm

    "Anything unattempted remains impossible." I like that. This is a powerful truth. Confidence transfers. Show power, follow-through or discipline in any area of your life and it counts for every area. Hope you inspire all of your readers to go for it, now!

  2. SuzanneBHarris
    October 26th, 2009 9:19 pm

    Tom – I hope I do, too! Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

  3. Doris Bowtrol Tips
    November 2nd, 2009 9:18 pm

    Honestly, I was really not that confident enough to try out what I wanted to do most. Scared enough to face it or know if it really works. I wanted get rid of this feeling. It makes me feel like being so small and useless.

    But then, I guess this post really helps me. Anything unattempted remains impossible. Thank you so much..

  4. SuzanneBHarris
    November 4th, 2009 10:43 pm

    Doris – I'm so glad you stopped by and I'm glad this helps you. None of us were born walking or talking, but we seem to expect to be able to do other things "instantly" – even when we know it's absurd to expect mastery the first time around.

  5. home
    November 14th, 2009 4:13 am

    THIS IS VERY GOOD WEBSITE

  6. black beauty
    November 16th, 2009 1:00 pm

    Its better to do…what you think, you can do. Rather than taking a chance what you think, I cant do.

  7. learn english online
    November 17th, 2009 1:35 am

    i'm glad I dropped by. This is so true. I do believe that only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live… Great post.

  8. Tim
    December 14th, 2009 4:54 am

    This is good stuff. I need to remember to dust off some of my 'proof' and use it to believe in my abilities in new situations. Everyone in general has been super successful at something, and if we could just remember how we feel about out successes it might give us enough oomph to get going…

  9. Jenny Johnson
    January 5th, 2010 8:50 am

    I liked your web site and your thoughts. We all have to believe in something. This will bring the success.

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