About this quote

Most of the 'can'ts' you hear are safety nets for the speaker, not facts about you. Notice who is speaking and why, then decide which no you will test. Pick one small, concrete experiment to try in the next week and see what actually happens. Which 'no' will you try today?

When to use it

• At my daughter's school recital I whispered to her, "Listen to the don'ts if you want, but go onstage anyway," and she walked out smiling.
• Before a risky investor pitch for my startup I told my co-founder, "They'll tell us a dozen reasons it won't work — let's show one thing that can," then we launched the live demo.
• During a tough physical therapy session after knee surgery my trainer said, "People say you won't run again — try two minutes of light jogging and see," and I did.
• In the conservatory audition hallway I breathed, "Forget the can'ts; play like it's already true," and then I played the piece with everything I had.