"I Can't"

By: Dr. Susan Nettleton

During the course of a day, how often do you say to yourself, ”I can't”? "I can't do it, I can't continue, I can't quit,  I can't get up,  I can't let go,  I can't handle it,  I can't think about it,  I can't decide . . .” Though our limitation may feel very real to us, often it is not our ability that limits us; it is our fear. ”I can't" has become an automatic thought that helps us avoid the things we fear. Unfortunately, the price we pay for ”I can't" is damage to our self-confidence. The next time you tell yourself, "I can't,” try substituting instead,  "I'm scared."  The  emotional honesty of changing one word in thought can be the key to freedom.