I nominate “can’t” as one of the nastiest four-letter words.

“Can’t” never created or solved anything.

“Can’t” has a way of placing an artificial ceiling on you and your company’s imagination, and it stops creativity dead in its tracks.

I’ve learned that in almost any situation we encounter, it is illogical, unreasonable and irrational to use the word “can’t.” In most cases, “can’t” really means “won’t.” The truth is, you can if you will.

Call me spiritual, but I believe that your Creator will never give you an idea, opportunity or problem without, at the same time, providing you with all the resources you need to handle it. Your personal and company resources are always far greater than you imagine them to be. So don’t waste time worrying or wondering, “Can we really do this?” Ask yourself instead, “HOW can we do this?”

By the way, if someone in your industry says “can’t”, you should perk up. In many cases they are pointing the way to a significant opportunity that they themselves are either too shortsighted or too intimidated to pursue. As Bill Feather famously said, “Back of ninety-nine out of one hundred assertions that a thing cannot be done is nothing but the unwillingness to do it.”

Check the record. Creativity and ingenuity have been making the impossible possible for centuries. There has always been a way—over, under, around or through—for those who remained open, optimistic and resourceful. Remember this: You will always have lots of people who are ready and willing to give you all the reasons why you “can’t” or “won’t” be able to do something new, bright or exciting. It’s up to you to list all the reasons why you can and will.