They can’t do It, but you can

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One of the main reasons people fail to achieve their goals is because they listen to the limiting voices of naysayers. These voices say, “You can’t do it,” “Only certain people can achieve what you’re aiming for,” or “Don’t bother, it’s too hard.” No wonder so many fall short of reaching their true potential.

The truth is, when people fail in life, they often harbor insecurities and project their own beliefs onto others. If you want to succeed, you must cultivate a positive mindset. You must believe that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. This is especially important for believers, knowing that we are created in God’s image and likeness. This is why I titled this article, “They Can’t Do It, But You Can”—to remind you that your potential isn’t determined by someone else’s opinion. In fact, their opinions don’t matter.

In my leisure time, I enjoy watching documentaries about successful people, and there’s a common denominator among them: they were often underestimated by those around them. But instead of listening to the discouraging voices, they used it as fuel to propel themselves forward and prove the doubters wrong. This is the total opposite of those who fail in life, who often live by seeking approval from others, even at the cost of sabotaging their own dreams.

The only validation you need in life is from God and yourself. The fact that God created you and placed incredible desires within you is approval in itself. In the documentary *Maxine’s Baby: The Story of Tyler Perry*, Tyler Perry shares how even his own mother didn’t believe in his dream to become a successful playwright and movie producer. At the time, Perry was homeless, living in his car, and struggling financially, but he held on to his vision. Despite his mother’s repeated advice to quit his dreams and find a regular job, Perry refused to give up. Today, he’s worth £1.4 billion and is one of the most successful movie producers in the United States, with one of the largest film studios in America. Imagine if he had listened to the doubters. Instead, he maintained a strong, positive mindset. One of my favorite quotes from Tyler Perry is, “It doesn’t matter if a million people tell you what you can’t do, or if ten million people say no. If you get one yes from God, that’s all you need.”

God created you, and only He fully understands your potential—not any other human being. In fact, the Bible warns us against relying on others for validation. As written in Psalm 146:3-4: “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.” This verse reminds us that human opinions are fleeting and unreliable. Trusting in the opinions of others, who are also flawed and limited, can only lead to disappointment. Our true potential lies in God’s plan for us, not in the opinions of others.

So, if you’ve been valuing others’ opinions more than your own or your goals, it’s time to stop. If someone tries to push their insecurities onto you by telling you that you can’t achieve something, it’s time to say, “Enough is enough.” Always remember: just because someone else can’t do something doesn’t mean you can’t.

What matters more than the doubters in your life is the faith you have. In Mark 9:23, Jesus says, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Another profound verse is Matthew 17:20, where Jesus tells us, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” These scriptures are profound because they come directly from the words of the Lord, giving us the key to success: faith and belief. It’s not about someone else believing in us; it’s about us believing in ourselves. If you believe you can succeed, it doesn’t matter if those around you agree with you or not.

Let those who doubt you watch as you achieve your goals. Shatter every limitation that has ever been placed on your life, whether by a friend, family member, or associate. Start believing in yourself and the gifts God has deposited in your life. Even if you fail, remember that failure is temporary. If you keep moving forward, you will eventually succeed.

One of the most profound quotes on this topic is from Mahatma Gandhi: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” This quote speaks to the journey of achieving your goals despite ridicule. Be willing to look delusional until you achieve what’s in your heart.

One of my favorite movies of all time is *Forrest Gump*. Despite being born with major disabilities, Forrest was able to achieve more than many others with all the opportunities and resources in the world. In the movie, Forrest accomplishes incredible feats, including becoming a college football star, receiving the Medal of Honor for bravery in the Vietnam War, starting a successful shrimp business, and even running across the country multiple times. The secret to his success was his determination to keep moving forward and being oblivious to what others thought of him. If you haven’t watched this movie, it’s certainly worth a watch.

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous illustrations of people being underestimated by those closest to them. David, for example, was underestimated by his own father. When the prophet Samuel came to anoint the future king of Israel, David’s father didn’t even consider him. Yet, David, the shepherd boy, became the king of Israel and defeated Goliath with a single stone (1 Samuel 16:11-13; 1 Samuel 17:45-50). Even Jesus was underestimated by His own brothers. In John 7:5, it’s written that “even his own brothers did not believe in him.” Yet Jesus went on to change the world and offer salvation to all of humanity.

Two other biblical examples of people who were underestimated are Joseph and Moses. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers who doubted his dreams, but he rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt (Genesis 37:5-28; Genesis 41:39-41). Moses, a man with a speech impediment, was doubted by the people of Israel and even questioned his own abilities, but God used him to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 4:10-13).

From biblical times to today, we live in a society where it’s human nature to doubt others’ abilities, often projecting our own limitations onto others.

Throughout history, there have been many who left their mark on the world despite the doubters:

– Roger Bannister: For years, experts believed it was physically impossible for a human to run a mile in under four minutes. Bannister defied the odds in 1954, breaking the barrier and proving the naysayers wrong.

– Liu Wei: After losing both arms in an accident at the age of 10, Liu Wei taught himself to play the piano with his feet, eventually winning *China’s Got Talent* and becoming an international performer.

– Thomas Edison: Many believed that creating a long-lasting electric light was impossible, especially after numerous failed attempts by others. Edison faced skepticism but eventually succeeded, transforming the world.

– Katherine Johnson: As a Black woman in the segregated South, Johnson overcame racial and gender discrimination to contribute essential mathematical calculations to some of NASA’s most important missions at a time when few believed women, especially women of color, could excel in science.

– Elon Musk: Musk faced immense skepticism in both the electric vehicle and private space exploration industries. Many doubted the viability of electric cars and the feasibility of private space travel. Today, Tesla leads the EV market, and SpaceX has revolutionized space exploration, including reusable rockets.

The list could go on. Now, it’s your time to prove the doubters wrong by achieving what they said you couldn’t.