I ran as fast as I could to the safety of my room. There, I crawled underneath my bed and laid my tear-streaked face on the rough carpet. Repeating over and over to myself, “I can’t, I can’t, I just can’t”.
The cause of this turmoil? My Ma had just told me that I should stop eating potato chips. I was a young child, and I was obese.
At the time, giving up potato chips was akin to Armageddon. It was as unthinkable as becoming a mermaid. It was a challenge that I refused to accept.
Today, I have no problem avoiding potato chips. Remember that famous Lays slogan, “you can’t eat just one?” They lied. Not only have I given up potato chips, but I also have stopped even thinking of them as a complement to my favorite meals.
What changed between my childhood tantrum, and my current lack of interest? I threw out the word, “I can’t.” Along the way, I learned how to improve my health.
Recently, I was chatting with a personal trainer about one of her clients. Her client is a busy professional who spends almost every day in the gym. To my astonishment, she said that he also fasts for up to 3 days at a time. Considering that my family only approaches me in the morning after I’ve had something to eat, I opined, “I could never do that”. She turned to me and said, “And that’s why you never will”.
I thought about that conversation for awhile. Why wouldn’t I be able to fast for three days? Sure, the last time I tried going without food, I lasted about 12 hours before scarfing down everything in sight. But, past efforts don’t rule out future success. The problem was not in my ability. The problem was in my attitude!
What are your attitudes about your goals?
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When faced with the idea of trying a different workout, what are the first words that come to mind?
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When considering giving up one of your favorite foods, what makes you change your mind?
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When someone offers you a food you have never tried, or you can’t recognize, what do you say?
Can’t is a 4 letter word. It also travels with some lesser-known family members. You might recognize these family members, such as “should”, “might”, “don’t”, “won’t”, or “am not”. All of these words underscore a fear of failure.
Guess what? The more you fail, the more you improve! Next time you find yourself saying, “I can’t”, STOP! Replace “can’t”, with “can”. Try this for 30 days.
My Ma once challenged me to give up one of my favorite childhood foods. Little did I know that years later, I would have exceeded all expectations. What challenge can you accept?
Photo credit: politicsandfinance.blogspot.com
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