Think of the most offensive word in the English language. Did you get it?

Here’s are some clues:

• It has 4 letters
• It starts with a “C”
• It ends with a “T”

Yep. You guessed it.

The most offensive word in the English language is… CAN’T!

That’s right. Can’t.

You see, the word “can’t” is an excuse. A cover-up for fear. A veil for self-imposed restriction or limitation.

Think about it: Have you ever been in a meeting where someone asks the question, “Why can’t we…” only to be followed by the 10,000 reasons everyone else in the room comes up with for why it “can’t” be done? Of course you have.

The very use of the word “can’t” triggers our brains to come up with an excuse, a limitation, an out.

Simply changing the words we use when we speak can have an incredible impact on how we live our lives, on the success and happiness we reap.

Let’s go back to our meeting from the example above. What happens if we flip “Why can’t we…” on its head? Instead, imagine the same meeting, but this time someone asks, “How CAN we…”

There is an immediate shift in the energy in the room and the thought patterns of everyone in it.

The room is now filled with people focused on creating solutions, dreaming up possibilities rather than restrictions, obstacles and excuses.

In a previous post, I referenced a maxim that my 7th grade history teacher passed on to me.

It’s as profound as it is simple: CAN’T means WON’T.

Think about that statement for a moment, and think about how many times a day you say, “I can’t.” Now, think about how many times you’re really trying to say, “I won’t.”

Everything is a choice. The word “can’t” simply represents your choice not to try, not to do. It’s a choice to put up walls, to limit yourself, to maintain the status quo (even if you loathe your current situation).

In what areas of your life or business do you find yourself continually saying “I can’t” and choosing defeat over growth and achievement? What can you do to eliminate “the most offensive word in the English language” from your vocabulary?

Hat tip to Jason Moffatt for inspiring the introduction to this post.