“Some people say why, I say why not?”

Wayne Dyer says “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” It’s a great intention, but it doesn't anything by itself. I’ve found the best way to operationalize it is by changing the questions we ask. A new, different, better question serves as a prompt that leads your thinking down a new, different, better path. With new thoughts your perspective changes, and it creates new conclusions.

With that in mind, let’s use a famous quote from former US president John F Kennedy to demonstrate its power. Kennedy says "Some people see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not."

Instead of collecting a list of why something is going to be challenging, why you’re going to struggle, why you can’t do it right now… Trade that line of thinking for 'why not?' When you approach your life ahead of you with the attitude that anything is possible, things become more possible.

The difficult part is we’ve been taught to focus on all of the reasons why we shouldn’t do something. Is starting your own business the responsible thing to do? Is it really the right time to sign up for a marathon, can you actually train for it? What if when you ask that person out on a date they reject you?

I’m not encouraging you to recklessly do whatever’s on your heart without regard for the consequences of it, but I am giving you this alternative perspective to find evidence around why it might be a good idea. When you ask a better question, ‘Why not?’, and let that influence the way you think about achieving your goals and dreams, you’ll feel so much more inspired to actually change your life! 

And in this quote, JFK approaches the future with a world of optimism - To do what’s never been done before, to conquer the unconquerable, to turn your vision into reality. And while his scope is related to the happenings of the entire world, you can take the same philosophy and apply it to your world.

So think about it - What’s that one thing that you’ve been ruling out being possible for so long in your life? That dream you have, the achievement to earn, the next level to reach, and ask yourself - Why not? You’ll see that the first steps you need to take toward making it reality become evident, and it’s up to you to step on the path.

This is something that has completely transformed my life, and I know it could do the same for you and many others. Share this with someone in your life doing big things to let them know that you’re here to support them with it!