Comments on: There is nothing you can’t do

By: Lee Ann

Lee Ann — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:52:15 +0000

Right On! I have always been frustrated by people who tell me “I can’t” when I know what they really mean is “I don’t want to”. And the thing is….there’s nothing wrong with that! If you don’t want to learn how to light a charcoal grill, so what? I think when people step up and take that responsibility (of knowing that they are just making an excuse for something they don’t really want badly enough to work at), they become much happier people. It’s ok not to want to learn to play the violin. But then when you think of something that you really DO want to do, you can put the effort into learning how.

By: Madhumalti

Madhumalti — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:40:45 +0000

Great post Alisa! “Passion” makes the world go round! I know big companies identify whether one can be a great manager by judging many competencies including being “passionate about business”. I keep telling my son when he is trying hard at something and it just does not seem to work, to tell himself “I can do it” several times and then take a go at it. Guess what -then he actually succeeds !!

By: Jon Wintorp

Jon Wintorp — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:20:11 +0000

“Most people, before they got good at anything were really bad at it first”

Absolutely true. As I always say “If at first you don’t suck seed (succeed) keep on sucking till you do suck seed (succeed).

By: Abby

Abby — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:42:03 +0000

Ha! OK, I’m going to practice NOT calling my husband a Dumb Ass Good-for-Nothing Piece of Pond Scum!

I found you through Redbook, which I was reading at the nail salon while I got a pedicure, which I never, ever do because I am a mom of 2, WAHM freelance writer, and apparently in charge of the WHOLE WORLD to boot. I am the only one in our house who can change a roll of toilet paper, find the baby’s socks, and produce clean underwear.

I am so sick of putting myself last that sometimes I get fed up and say, “Screw it! I’m going to go get a pedicure!” And then I berate myself for spending the money, and list all the more productive things I could’ve done w/ that time.

But anyway, the Redbook piece resonated w/ me because I also felt resentful towards my husband after we had a baby. Now we have 2. A therapist told me to read “The Lazy Husband.” A lot of it made sense, but the whole “trade sex for help w/ the housework” thing pissed me off. Why can’t he just be an adult and pitch in like I have to, no bribes required? OK, rant over. I’m subscribing.

By: Alisa

Alisa — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:03:06 +0000

Yes, Outliers was great. Actually all of his books are. Thanks for suggesting it.

By: Morriss Partee

Morriss Partee — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:44:42 +0000

Great post today. This reminds me of Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book and interviews where he talks about practice equalling love (or vice versa?) Here are interview clips from last winter.