Why do we say what we can’t do?
I can’t come because…
I can’t do x it’s not our policy…
I can’t do that, I haven’t got the resources…
I can’t, I’m busy…
Is it can’t or won’t?
If it is can’t, would ‘unable’ be better language?
And why announce it?
I saw a lovely LinkedIn post last week where someone was celebrating achieving a professional qualification.
It had taken them three years working evenings and weekends and they were feeling really proud.
Right in the middle of the comments was this: ‘I couldn’t do a ……. as I don’t have the time’
Why even write that?
I think it’s that sneaky human need for significance. What do you think?
How about a couple of days focusing on what we can do.
Be Brilliant!
Michael
PS If we’re not connected on LinkedIn, we should be. Here’s my profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelheppell
And we always love your comments. Please leave one below.
comments
add comment
This is a very deep email made me think I should take that word out of my vocabulary.
Thank you Michael. I really needed this right now
A very negative phrase which i was try and flip to give a positive outcome.
I shared a post on FB about wonderful cream teas at our local restaurant. One ‘friend’ posted a comment saying what she couldn’t eat, didn’t like etc. I wanted to ask her why she’d bothered, all she had to do was either ignore it or like it! So thanks Michael, very timely.
I always read ‘Can’t’ as ‘can try’…….an old school teacher comment that has stuck
Great point. Have spent this morning looking at goal setting from my business and what I can achieve. From a business point of view, I try not to say unable either as it can be construed as unwilling. Going to try to have a can do attitude going forward.
As always Michael, you concentrate on the positive. Thank you
Great email Michael,
I am right in the middle of the prep for the house move and the amount of times I have encountered “I can’t do that” or “we don’t do that” when trying to get something booked or changed or done . . . I have always countered with “what can you do then?” or “Why not?”
9 times out of 10, they either don’t know why they can’t do it or can’t because it’s complicated!? That’s why I love my job. It gives me the chance to ask why? At every opportunity like a toddler trying to learn about anything and everything 😃
Mike you used my name to illustrate your point so I could not resist commenting lol
My many years in logistics have made me banish the words “i cant.” These two words block initiative and innovation,
thanks for this thoughtful re-enforcement.
Someone once said “there is no such thing as ‘can’t’, only ‘not willing to'”. This has stuck with me for years and it made me realised I was being dishonest when I said ‘I can’t’. Dishonest to myself and to others. I should have been braver, said it as it is and said it as ‘I don’t want to do this’ or ‘I am not willing to do it’. Maybe a harsh lesson, but do yourselves a favour and be honest with yourselves.