Henry Ford reminded us, “If a man thinks he can do a thing or he thinks he cannot do a thing, he is usually right.”
What do you do when you attempt something and don’t initially achieve the results you are after? Do you think you can do it…and try again? Or do you think that you can’t do it and give up? If your beliefs are of the “can do” sort, you try again and again until you succeed. If they are of the “can’t do” sort…you know the answer.
What about the actions—or inactions—resulting from “can’t do” beliefs? Are there things you have attempted (perhaps only once or twice); didn’t obtain the results you sought; and for some reason, convinced yourself that you would never attain those results.
In business today these include:
• Proactively prospecting – picking up the phone or doing your research
• Asking prospects for commitments and decisions – even if you won’t like the answer!
• Asking clients for referrals
• Contacting clients who have drifted away – you can get them back by asking!
• Walking away from “promising” opportunities that have become interminably stalled. Some will and some won’t!
I’m sure there are a few more items you can add to the list. I have focused on business here, but what in your life personally! Do you give up too soon?
To break out of your “can’t do” attitude, first, identify those activities you’ve programmed yourself to avoid. Start to tackle them…baby steps!
From each outcome, there’s likely to be something you can learn…give yourself permission to be adequate; don’t expect amazing results first time. Sometimes your expectation of yourself can get in the way!