// you’re reading...

How to Win

The “I Can’t” Syndrome

“Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark, or the man afraid of the light?” — Maurice Freehill

Maybe you’re right after all.

You say you don’t have any talent, and maybe you’re right.

You say you just can’t, and maybe you’re right.

April Fool’s!

Of course you have talent. Of course you can do things.

But did you ever notice that some people would rather be right than successful?

Over the years, I’ve heard many athletes say, “I can’t.” Sometimes we as coaches can help them with this negative self-talk. Other times, they persist in saying, “I can’t.” They would rather hold onto this limiting belief than to be successful. They would rather under-perform, somehow proving to themselves that, yes, they were right all along, and coach was wrong! Hurray!

Maybe there’s safety in holding onto what’s familiar, even if what’s familiar is failure. Maybe people are just too lazy to try enough to get a glimpse of what they could do.

Either way, some people never escape the “I can’t” syndrome.

Don’t be one of them.

Be a “possibilitarian.”

You can do things. You have all the ability you need to be successful.

And that’s no April Fool’s.

Coach Tully’s Extra Point: A list of the greatest April Fool’s pranks of all time.

Discussion

No comments for “The “I Can’t” Syndrome”

Post a comment