Tweet

I’d Like To But…

Written by: Laura Posey

Article Overview: There is a little phrase that I hear everyday and I’ll bet you do too. Maybe you hear if from coworkers, clients or even your kids. Maybe you even hear it from yourself. Does it drive you as nuts as it drives me?

I’d Like To But…

There is a little phrase that I hear everyday and I’ll bet you do too. Maybe you hear if from coworkers, clients or even your kids. Maybe you even hear it from yourself.

Does it drive you as nuts as it drives me?

That little phrase is “I’d like to but I can’t because…” and it usually ends in an excuse that we use to justify our unwillingness to either take a risk or change or both.

Here are some examples I’ve heard recently:

“I’d like to travel more but I can’t because I have to work”

“I’d like to earn more money but I can’t because I don’t know how”

“I’d like to take a class in woodworking but I can’t because I need to take my kids to soccer”

“I’d like to save more but I can’t because I don’t make enough money”

The list goes on and on.

If there is something you’d like to do but you have invented a reason why you can’t, may I suggest you use this little trick with yourself.

The next time you hear yourself say, “I can’t because…” immediately turn that phrase around and begin thinking, “I could …if…” and start thinking of ways you could actually make your wish come true.

For example, “I’d like to travel more but I can’t because I have to work,” becomes, “I could travel more if I had a different job or if I saved up enough vacation to leave or if I owned my own business or I set up my business so it can run without me or…”

You get the picture.

This way of thinking will give you a fresh view of what it would take to make your dream happen. If you find yourself unwilling to any of the things that could possibly get you started on living the life you want, then it is likely that what you think you want isn’t interesting enough to move you to change.

If that is the case, learn to be happy with what you have.

If, however, you find something in the list of possible ways to live your dreams, do one right away.

Using our example above, you may immediately start putting together a resume and making a list of people you know who could hire you for a job that includes more travel. Or you could immediately call a franchise coach and start investigating what kind of business you might be able to buy.

The key is to do something as soon as you hear the dreaded, “I’d like to but…” come into your head.

This little mental trick has helped me be able to travel at least 8 weeks out of the country for each of the last two years while running a thriving business, renovating a house and starting a non-profit.

Give a shot and see if it will work for you.

Related Articles

Article Tags: marketing, motivation, sales, sales tips, small business



Related Forum Posts


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The Substance Abusing Employee

How to Set Sales Goals that Work

Adjusting Your World

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.