Why Successful People Never Say, "I Can't"

 

Change your self-talk! You will change your attitude, which will, in turn, change your trajectory. 

There are few words that deflate hopes and dreams more than "I can't". When my boys were young and testing out their bicycling skills without training wheels,  they were often frustrated by their lack of coordination. They legs and feet just would not obey their minds, no matter how much they willed it. They would bloody knees, take spills, and bang up body parts. They would come to me crying, "Mom, I can't do it! I can't learn to ride my bike!"

I would reply,"You can! But, first you need to replace your 'I can't' with 'I choose'. For instance:

• I choose to be a person who does not give up. 
• I choose to go to Bicycle Safety Town every Saturday to practice my skills. 
• I choose to practice every day for 20 minutes.
• I choose to get back up on the bike after I fall."

Do you see the difference?

The words "I can't" leave out any viable options, any opportunities, and any motivation to come up with alternatives or possibilities.

The words "I choose" are much better. They bring hope and self-respect. They allow you think outside the box, coming up with new and unique ways to solve problems. They allow you to stop being a victim and start being a victor!

The words "I choose: 

• give you strength 
• remind you that you are a strong, smart, effective, and capable person.
• help you take charge, make changes, and sort through problems.

I've been there.

Believe me, I've been there! In the past year my husband was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure, had a stroke, and suffered a collapsed lung. In short, it's really not been a fun year. More than a time or two I have thought, "I don't want to even wake up in the morning, because I'm afraid of what other disaster might be around the corner heading toward me."  It is just too easy to shout, "I can't do this anymore!" 

But, there came a moment when I realized that I was not in control of my life's circumstances. However, I could control my reaction to them and I could reach out to the One who does hold the future.

For the sake of my own sanity (and that of my family) I had to change my "I can't" to "I choose".

I choose: 

1. to research heart failure so that I am familiar with the protocol and medicines. 
2. to feed my husband real, whole, life-giving plant-based foods.
3. to practice self-care by getting enough rest and taking daily walks. 
4. to ask for help when I need it.  
5. to remember to pray instead of panic. 
6. to never give up!

 

So, what does this have to do with finances? 

Plenty! When you are living lean and trying to make progress on financial goals, the road can sometimes seem long and quite bumpy. Unexpected expenses can derail your budget, leaving your emergency fund in need of a serious transfusion of money! Your overtime, which you were counting on, can dry up in an instant, leaving you scrambling to cut expenses to the bone. Your child can require a prompt care visit and stitches for that fall off of his bike. (This may or may not have happened to me!) 

 Yes! Life happens and sometimes it is scary!   But, I want you to take a deep breath and change your "I can't" to "I choose." You can't control events, but you can control your reaction to them. Don't give in to defeat!  

Change your self-talk! You will change your attitude, which will, in turn, change your trajectory. 

Say, "I choose":

1. to be grateful for all that is good in my life. 
2. to bulk cook and shop less frequently.
3. to avoid stores and websites which tempt me to spend money.
4. to differentiate between my "wants" and my "needs".
5. to write down short, medium, and long-term goals.
6. to look for unique ways to create more margin in my budget.
7. to stop comparing myself and my life to others.
8. to be proud of my accomplishments.
9. to approach the future without fear.
10. to embrace simplicity. 

Your Turn!

What are the areas of your budget that you need to change or are changing from an "I can't" mindset to a "I choose" mindset? Do you feel that the way you speak and think have an impact on your finances?  Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Do all to the glory of God, 

Hope