The biggest block to being empowered, in my experience as a professional coach, corporate manager, and mother, is not realizing that you have the ability to do something. And I’m not alone in this. I read recently that a common pet peeve of school sports coaches is: “I hate it when a kid says, ‘I can’t.’ That drives me nuts. You can. Just try.”

I know, sometimes “just try” is easier said than done. As a child, student, then an intern early on in my career, I too have heard those words from people who believed in me whereas I didn’t. I am grateful to them – my parents, teachers, coaches and supervisors – who were able to see my abilities and to patiently persevere in making me realizing that I could do whatever it was I was convinced I couldn’t do. Thank you for that gift of empowerment.

So please, before you say “I can’t” next time, think of this gift. Empower yourself by imagining that whatever you want to do IS possible, and think about what you can do to make it happen. Turn to someone who believes in you and seriously consider the possibility that you really can achieve it if you put your mind to it.