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10/09/2007
Communication exercise:

How we can work miracles…! / “Yes, I can!”

You are looking for an exercise which could make a difference in your communication - and maybe cause a change to the better for your whole life?

Ok, here it is one:

Avoid thinking or saying “can’t”!
Yes, it is that simple – and that difficult as well – and definitely worth a try!
Just replace all sentences which contain “can’t” with something more resourceful. With this simple exercise - instead of accepting your fate - you make your brain search for new solutions. And after you practised for a while solutions will appear faster than you think. Just give your brain the chance to work for you!

Here are some examples:

  • “Sorry, I can’t go to the theatre with you this evening.”
    -› “O, that’s a nice idea! Because I promised to play with my kids this evening I would better like to go tomorrow”
  • “You can’t ride a bike!”
    -› “Unfortunately I never taught you to ride a bike. I am going to buy you a helmet and then help you to learn it today!”
  • “I can’t bear this heat!”
    -› “I have to turn down the heating!”
  • “I can’t afford a vacation!”
    -› “I have to save some money, work a bit more effectively, ask for a raise of salary…”
  • “I can’t figure it out!”
    -› “I have to ask someone to explain it to me!”
  • “I’m sorry, I can’t hear you!”
    -› “Please wait a second. I’ll turn down the radio!”
  • “I can’t learn these Vulcan vocabularies!”
    -› “Oh I need a better memory technique for that – I’ll search one!”
  • “I can’t work miracles!”
    -› “I am doing my best to find a solution!”
  • “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
    -› “You can teach an old dog new tricks if you know how...!”

You can do this exercise for a day, a week, or for the rest of your life - depending on how long you need to or want to present yourself with the positive effect.

Read also in the “Yes, I do!” series:

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