I would love to go for a run, but I’ve got this bone in my leg…

Is it that you cannot?

Or that you will not?

Over the years I’ve challenged a lot of people when they say “I can’t do that” as a response to building a career they love, working out, or achieving success.

The difference is that “I can’t” abdicates responsibility to some force beyond your control, time, money, other people putting demands on you.

But with “I won’t” you have to accept responsibility for your decision and be prepared to stand by it.

That latter point requires conviction and commitment to not do something.

It’s much easier to turn over control of our life to some uncaring outside influence and say “well, I want to, but this thing won’t let me.”