The Can't or Haven't Yet Difference

The Powerful Paragraph

During writing coaching sessions, it’s not uncommon for me to hear clients say, “I can’t [insert task here].” “I can’t write strong dialogue.” “I can’t capture emotion well.” “I can’t figure out what my main character really wants.” After going through many of these coaching sessions and trying to work through the problem, I’ve come to this conclusion: It’s not that my clients can’t do these things, it’s that they haven’t done them yet. And that’s often more intimidating than simply stating that they cannot do it. Saying you “can’t” do something excuses you from putting in the effort to try, and ultimately protects you from potential failure. However, with a shift in perspective, my clients can see that there is excitement and joy in learning how to master a new skill. And with that excitement and joy comes the motivation to persist through the challenge.