What If You Can?

Guest post by Anna Filipkowski.

What are you avoiding right now? What dream have you put on hold because you think you're too old, too young, too broke, too busy or too out of shape? What opportunities have you missed because you were too afraid of failing, embarrassment, abandonment or rejection? Why is it that most of us are more comfortable believing we can't than we can?

Everyone has a highly critical and negative little voice inside his or her head. Unfortunately, it keeps you in defensive or survival mode. Evolution calls this "Fight or Flight." It's a throwback to our more primitive selves. Since your critical voice only perceives in black and white, any obstacle is deemed a dead end rather than a challenge requiring a solution to move forward. Therefore, the critical voice usually stops us in our tracks and sabotages the concept of options.

Clearly, your critical voice is not your friend. And that voice does not define you. The real you strives for freedom and self-actualization. Your critical voice is nothing more than a schoolyard bully. You need to challenge it or ignore it. Like most bullies, it will eventually subside or back down.

Yes, you absolutely can quiet your negative inner dialogue by consciously changing your thoughts. The next time the bully inside you starts its whining diatribe, confront it head on. Calmly state, "What if I can?"

"You'll never get that job. You're too young, inexperienced and naive!"
What if I can?

"You're completely out of shape. And besides, there's no way you can run a half marathon at your age!"
What if I can?

"Start a business in this economy? You don't have enough money and that's just plain crazy! Besides nobody ever makes money doing that!"
What if I can?

"You'll never survive reality without booze or drugs!"
What if I can?

"You're too old and out of date to go back to school. You'll never keep up!"
What if I can?

"Just stay in the relationship and suck it up. Nobody else will want you and you can't make it on your own!"
What if I can?

"There are millions of out-of-work actors. You're not talented or attractive enough to break into that kind of business!"
What if I can?

"Do you know how many people actually succeed at that? It's just too hard and too competitive. You'll never make it to the Olympics."
What if I can?

"Your silly dream can wait another year. With all your other responsibilities, you're too busy to take on one more thing right now."
What if I can?

Be honest with yourself. If you were absolutely certain that you would succeed in your dream endeavor, would you do it? Or would you be afraid that your critical voice was telling the truth? Either way, you're right. That's how extraordinarily powerful your thoughts are. Remember, it takes just as much energy to succeed or fail. Focus your mind and heart and you can accomplish anything. Start now. That's how extraordinarily powerful your thoughts are. Remember, it takes just as much energy to succeed or fail. Focus your mind and heart and you can accomplish anything. Start now.

Anna Malandra Filipkowski, a downsized corporate executive is following her dreams and invites fellow latecomer entrepreneurs to journey down the path of freedom and prosperity in a global world.