The now famous words of Obama have been heard throughout the word, “Yes, we can.” So simple and yet full of meaning. The United States is presently facing it’s greatest challenge in over 60 years. Only time will tell if their actions will prove to be successful. I do think Obama chose the right words for the time. Together, as a nation, the United States has achieved incredible success and will need everyone to work together to continue to succeed. The word “can” truly is a powerful word.
Unfortunately most of us choose to use the negative form of it – “can’t.” I hear it all the time from friends, students, family members, and even myself. Saying “can’t” stops us in our tracks. We no longer look for a way to do something because we believe that it CAN’T be done. Those people that choose to use “can’t” are unconsciously limiting themselves. Few things are impossible. If Henry Ford had thought “can’t” then we wouldn’t be driving around in cars today. If Bill Gates had said “can’t” then most of us wouldn’t have computers in our houses. Instead of “can’t” they chose to say “it CAN be done” and found the way.
Sometimes on the train or in a coffee shop I am approached by people that want to chat with me, when they find out I CAN speak Japanese (decently) they ask me lots of questions. I find that Japanese people are usually curious about other cultures and want to converse with people outside Japan but are hesitant to talk to foreigners due to their lack of confidence in speaking English.
Anyone CAN learn English. Language is simply a tool for communication. English may be tougher than many languages but with a little hard work and practice it CAN be done.
So the next time you think you “can’t” do something, just think of Obama. “Yes, we can.” And you can, too. (it’s completely up to you)
Adrian
Right On! Positive thinking, hard work and having a good teacher such as you or a Smith’s School of English Teacher can surely make all the difference. So when the students see the other big schools ads on the train, I hope they think carefully about looking at other options such as joining Smith’s where we waste NONE of their monthly fees on such expensive ads. I hope they can understand how much more important it is for a Smith’s teacher, who most likely owns his school, to work hard to assure his students’ success than a hired hand working at one of those big schools. Such a Owner-teacher also will make sure that his hired teachers do the very best for the schools students, as his success depends on it. Instead of spending millions of Yen on those ads we can offer classes with fewer students at more reasonable prices and the payment is in fact monthly and not a loan payment over 6 or 12 months. Our students are lucky and so are we to be associated with the Smith’s franchise. Together we “can” achieve more! Or as we usually say “together everyone achieves more”.
Al, SSE-Okamoto
Adrian (or Al),
I CAN’T seem to understand the difference between “CAN’T” and “cannot”. CAN you, kind sir, please explain the difference to me? Or is it all the same, as they are both negative and we are focusing on the positive?
I once had a hockey coach you would write every players name on a piece of paper before the game. At the end of the game he would write 1 positive thing each player did during the game and he would then post the list on the dressing room door for everyone to read. The title at the top said “Positives to be Proud of”. He insisted that we always focus on the positives, win or lose.
So be like Obama and my olkd hockey coach, and be positive. Be proud of what you CAN do, not ashamed of what you can’t.
Edward, SSE Ohtsu
Very Inspirational Adrian!
Something we should all remember…as teachers, as students, as business owners. If we remember this, we will be able to achieve all that we set out to do!
Thanks for all your comments. Edward, seems like your old hockey coach was a self-help guru in a previous life. “Positives to be proud of” – the power of positive should never be underestimated. It gives me an idea…will let you know about it in the near future.
Adrian