Clark Gaither, MD, FAAP

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Life Without Self-Imposed Limits

Posted on August 6, 2014August 6, 2014 by Dr. Burnout

cgaither24The words I can’t or that’s impossible form finite statements. What would be, could be, should be begins and ends with those words. After those words, there is nothing left to add. They are declarations of cessation, of complete arrest and of conclusion. They are a barricade to further effort. The end.

Of course, there is an upside for those who use the words I can’t frequently. They are always 100% right, just not in the way they might think. For anyone insisting on employing the I can’t mentality, let’s just get it right from the outset and translate this to what it actually means – I won’t. The truth only sounds harsh because it’s the truth.

There are numerous antithetical statements to the contrary of I can’t. Of course, I can would be the most obvious retort to I can’t. Though, not everyone will be honestly able to say I can in every given situation. They may lack knowledge, the necessary equipment, needed tools or expertise. Why should this hold anyone back, though?

If you don’t know how to do something, does it follow that you could never know how to do it? Have those who subscribe to the I can’t mentality completely stopped learning anything new? Forever?

With an object smaller that a 3 x 5 index card and not a lot thicker you can have the world literally at your finger tips. I’m talking about a data phone. There is nothing that you can not find on the world wide web. Life changing knowledge has become comprehensive, limitless, instantaneous and free.

Do you ever remember hearing yourself say I can’t? Didn’t it shut you down cold? The only translation possible for I can’t is I am unable. Saying I can means I am able to do something. This increases the potential that you will do something. Saying I can and taking action means no matter what the outcome, you have already won a different future for yourself.

What about the impossible? I can imagine that’s possible, would be the most likely opposing viewpoint. What I want to know is why some feel compelled to cry impossible before fully exploring what can be imagined to be possible?

The brain is an amazing organ. What it is unable to do, it can imagine doing. What is imagined creates possibilities. Possibilities have a habit of turning into reality with time. Which makes me wonder, exactly what can not be accomplished? I mean really.

Looking back, wouldn’t you agree much of what once seemed impossible is now not only possible but a reality. It’s because someone dared to rethink the impossible.

If you have a goal in mind, is it the best one for you or have you compromised? Have you thought of other better goals but rejected them because you felt they were impossible? Why? Why do we limit ourselves so?

Those who have plans for brightening their futures while brightening the futures of those around them harbor no thoughts of the impossible. Thoughts of the impossible are supplanted by “I have an idea”, “Just imagine…” and “What if…”

Every successful person, by whatever metric you wish to gauge success, has faced doubt, hardship, failure, ridicule, and fear. ALL OF THEM! I submit none of them ever brought into their declarations for success the words – I can’t or That’s impossible.

I can, I believe, I can imagine, and that’s possible are all open ended potential realities without limits. The are infinite in scope. They begin as words in someone’s mind, mere thoughts, thoughts which will later become translated into action because new horizons are being envisioned, sweeping vistas sight unseen. The people who use these words will not be held back.

Lately, I have come to prefer life without self-imposed limitations. Don’t you?

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