“Can Do” versus “Can’t Do”
There’s something about the word “can’t” that raises the hairs on our necks. Maybe we don’t like limits being set for us. Maybe we are just rebellious kids at heart.
Think about it. You hear the word “can’t” and immediately your internal conversations start with:
Why not? … See. I knew she wouldn’t listen … Oh yeah, just watch me!
Regardless, all of us would do well to heed the advice of communication specialists and minimize our use of the word “can’t.” Tell people what you CAN do – what they CAN do. Here are some examples: “You can have your vacation June 19.” “What I can do for you is .…” “Here’s what you can do….” “Tell me what you think you can do in this situation.”
Sounds like a small shift, but it is the small things in communication that make all the difference in the world. We’re so accustomed to using “can’t” that this switch will require discipline. It takes practice but it’s well worth the effort. The difference between CAN and CANNOT is shorter in letters, but longer in results.
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