What is your “I can’t” typology?
Knowing that “can” means “to be able to”, what do you believe, think and mean when you say “I can’t”? What type of “I can’t” are you?
You say “I can’t” when something is
- really truly impossible – you don’t even consider it WHEN you could look at it from every angle, try to find resources to support you, give it your best shot and accept it will need a week of Sundays
- highly unlikely, but possible – you go ‘yeah, nah’ WHEN you could try nevertheless and be buoyed by your attempt, no matter the outcome
- possible, but you don’t want it enough – you give it some sort of half-hearted attempt to confirm that you can’t do it WHEN you could be honest (to yourself) and say you don’t want it
- possible, and you really don’t know how to do it – you find some excuse on why you don’t need to do it WHEN you could reach out for assistance, learn how to do it and challenge and grow yourself
- not permitted – you accept the directive unequivocally WHEN you could investigate whether there might be other options
- not allowed – you hear someone’s authoritative voice (real or in your head from a parent, partner, manager, etc.) and adhere WHEN you could question yourself and others whether that prohibition is (still) valid
- disapproved of – you succumb to the pressure of not wanting to rock the boat and fit in WHEN you actually really want to do it and you know you’ll regret never chasing that dream.
- steeped in tradition – you do as generations before you have done because changing conventions and beliefs is difficult WHEN you know that what worked yesterday isn’t going to work today and that you can make a difference.
If your “I can’t” typology is not working for you anymore, I can work with you to find your best “I can” type.