Can’t by Edgar Guest

We’ve all come across moments when we feel like giving up before we even try. It’s easy to get discouraged and think, “I can’t change a thing.” But the power of words is at our fingertips. Every single time you tell yourself you can’t do something, you’re already defeated. Instead of telling ourselves what we can’t do, why not take on the challenge and say, “I can.” This is the first step that could lead to an entirely new life.

Trust your own abilities. There is no substitute for hard work. And I can do attitude can solve just about any problem. No one is just going to deliver a victory to you. You have to take it and seize it for yourself. Don’t worry if something doesn’t seem to be working out—there might be another way of going about it that would work better for you. But you’ve got to try. “Yes, you can.”

An “I can” attitude is crucial, especially when overcoming negative thoughts and feelings. If you have a negative thought that has been implanted into your mind, you should change your mindset to a positive one. Keep your thoughts positive. Devote yourself to certain tasks at hand, no matter how difficult they might seem. Just keep at it and continue working towards your goal until it is accomplished. “Yes, I can.”

The poem below exemplifies how thinking and saying the word “can’t” can negatively influence your life and how changing it to “I can” can change your life for the better.

Can’t

Edgar Guest

Can’t is the worst word that’s written or spoken;

 Doing more harm here than slander and lies;

 On it is many a strong spirit broken,

 And with it many a good purpose dies.

 It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning

 And robs us of courage we need through the day:

 It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning

 And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.

Can’t is the father of feeble endeavor,

 The parent of terror and half-hearted work;

 It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,

 And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.

 It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,

 It stifles in infancy many a plan;

 It greets honest toiling with open derision

 And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.

Can’t is a word none should speak without blushing;

 To utter it should be a symbol of shame;

 Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;

 It blights a man’s purpose and shortens his aim.

 Despise it with all of your hatred of error;

 Refuse it the lodgment it seeks in your brain;

 Arm against it as a creature of terror,

 And all that you dream of you some day shall gain.

Can’t is the word that is foe to ambition,

 An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;

 Its prey is forever the man with a mission

 And bows but to courage and patience and skill.

 Hate it, with hatred that’s deep and undying,

 For once it is welcomed ’twill break any man;

 Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying

 And answer this demon by saying: “I can.”