“How Can I?” vs. “I Can.” — The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
We’ve all been there — staring at a challenge, unsure what to do next.
Two simple phrases can completely change how we respond:
“How can I?”
“I can.”
They may look similar, but they unlock very different parts of your brain — and when you use them together, they’re unstoppable.
“How Can I?” — The Possibility Mindset
Asking “How can I?” turns obstacles into puzzles. Instead of shutting down, your brain starts hunting for solutions — activating your Reticular Activating System (RAS) to notice opportunities you might have missed.
This is the essence of a growth mindset (Dweck, 2006): challenges aren’t brick walls… they’re detours.
“I Can” — The Action Mindset
“I can” is your internal green light. It’s not just optimism — it’s self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977) in action: the belief that you have what it takes to succeed.
This is where confidence kicks in, momentum builds, and execution happens.
From Curiosity to Confidence
The secret? Start with “How can I?” to open your mind… then switch to “I can” to move your feet.
5 Steps to Make the Shift Today
Pause before saying “I can’t.”
Ask “How can I?” — write down every possible path.
Pick one step that feels doable right now.
Declare “I can” — and take that step.
Reflect and ask, “How can I improve?”
Why it works:
Boosts creativity
Builds resilience
Increases follow-through
Strengthens problem-solving
Grows personal ownership
“How can I?” opens the door.
“I can” walks through it.
When you use both, you stop letting circumstances decide for you — and you start deciding for yourself.
What about you? The next time you hit a wall, which phrase will you start with?
To learn more about the author, Todd Parks, click HERE.