When I first applied to my medical school I called them and asked if I could simultaneously do an MPH and MD degree. I was told “No.” Within 6 months I was enrolled in both the MPH and MD programs.
I always hear friends, family and peers saying things like “I wish I could do x,” or “I could never be good at y.” Those types of statements confuse me. I often wish I could do x or be better at y too, but then I follow that up with a critical question:
“Why can’t I?”
I think in almost every situation that is an honest question to ask. You may not like the answer, but you should always ask the question. For example, I sometimes wish I could be in the NBA. Then I ask, “why can’t I?” and the answer becomes clear – because I am 5’8” and a terrible shooter. Had I began practicing at the age of 5 the situation might be different, but no amount of practice now (at 26) could get me to the point I could be in the NBA. That’s ok; that’s called being a realist.
But let’s go back to my original example. I was told I couldn’t be simultaneously enrolled in both the MPH and MD programs at my school, so naturally I asked, “why can’t I?” I went through many scenarios: I could fail at one, I could fail at both, etc. But really those weren’t reasons I couldn’t do it, they were fears. Could they kick me out of medical school? If I failed all of my classes yes, but that wasn’t likely to happen. Certainly they couldn’t kick me out just for enrolling in more classes. So I tested the waters, got through my first semester of medical school and decided I probably could handle double enrollment.
If I hadn’t thought to ask “why can’t I?” I never would have dual enrolled and I would have missed out on a lot of opportunities. This question has led to a lot of successes in my life. ”Why can’t I start a blog for pre-med and medical students?” ”Why can’t I serve on my state medical society’s reference committee?” ”Why can’t I publish an opinion piece in a medical journal?”
This may be the single most important question I have ever asked.
Like I said, sometimes you come up against a real reason you can’t pursue or succeed at what you want. ”Why can’t I fly?” Well because you don’t have physiologic properties that allow you to do so. ”Why can’t I ride across my state on a bike?” To that question there may not be a good answer, which is why I rode 500+ miles across my state a couple summers back.
My point is this: most people quit before they think about trying, let alone before they try. Many people are content to be corralled by the limitations their peers place on them. Even more people are corralled by the limitations they place on themselves. You probably can’t cure cancer. But you can make a living being an artist, pursue a second career, run a marathon, become a great doctor, etc.
What ever you want to do, just ask, “why can’t I?”
You may be pleasantly surprised at the answer.
-TNQD
The “Why Can’t I?” Mentality
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