--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you talk about what you \"can't do\"…" description: "\"“If you talk about what you \"can't do\" before even considering what you \"can do\", you will never become what you could have been.”\" — Carlos Wallace" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/carlos-wallace-9368_carlos-wallace_if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-befo_3154899.jpg" --- # If you talk about what you "can't do" before even… ![“If you talk about what you "can't do" before even considering what you "can do", you will never become what you could have been.” quote by Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/carlos-wallace-9368_carlos-wallace_if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-befo_3154899.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/carlos-wallace-9368_carlos-wallace_if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-befo_3154899.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/carlos-wallace-9368_carlos-wallace_if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-befo_3154899.jpg) > ““If you talk about what you "can't do" before even considering what you "can do", you will never become what you could have been.”” [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑limiting beliefs prevent action; focusing on impossibilities blocks potential achievement. **In simple terms:** Negative self‑talk stops progress. Key Takeaway Replace doubt with possibility before acting. Themes self‑belief motivation growth mindset Mood encouraging reflective Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - skill learning - entrepreneurship - health goals Key Concepts Cognitive bias self‑fulfilling prophecy goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What internal narratives hold you back? - How can you test a belief before accepting it? A Different Perspective The advice may ignore structural barriers beyond personal mindset. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Carlos-wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carlos-wallace/) [Giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up/) [Quitting-on-yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quitting-on-yourself/) ## Related quotes > [“Quitting isn’t always a weakness; sometimes it’s a strategic choice to focus on more meaningful pursuits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sonnenberg/quitting-isn-t-always-a-weakness-sometimes-it-s-a-strategic-choice-to/) [Frank Sonnenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sonnenberg/) > [“When you are tired, you rest. You don't give up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/when-you-are-tired-you-rest-you-don-t-give-up/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“There comes a time in your life when you have to choose between giving up and staying strong, when situations will try to predict…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinonye-j-chidolue/there-comes-a-time-in-your-life-when-you-have-to-choose-between/) [Chinonye J. Chidolue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinonye-j-chidolue/) > [“Giving up on the journey means giving up on your goals and dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-gunzburg/giving-up-on-the-journey-means-giving-up-on-your-goals-and-dreams/) [Ari Gunzburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-gunzburg/) > [“For a writer, I'm not sure that feeling of knowing you've just written something good and strong can be trumped. Not because it means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cara-rosalie-olsen/for-a-writer-i-m-not-sure-that-feeling-of-knowing-you-ve-just-written/) [Cara Rosalie Olsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cara-rosalie-olsen/) > [“It is better to die with your boots on than to live as a bootlicker.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/it-is-better-to-die-with-your-boots-on-than-to-live-as-a-bootlicker/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“When you sense you need courage, you are going to next level of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/when-you-sense-you-need-courage-you-are-going-to-next-level-of-life/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“If you haven’t though about quitting even once when working on your business, that business is not your real passion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ha-campbell/if-you-haven-t-though-about-quitting-even-once-when-working-on-your/) [Kim Ha Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ha-campbell/) > [“If you haven’t thought about quitting even once when working on your business, that business is not your real passion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ha-campbell/if-you-haven-t-thought-about-quitting-even-once-when-working-on-your/) [Kim Ha Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ha-campbell/) > [“Never quit on your dream, but learn to cut your losses and quit your plan if it is not working.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-poirot/never-quit-on-your-dream-but-learn-to-cut-your-losses-and-quit-your/) [Ken Poirot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-poirot/) > [“We all know someone who criticizes us to diminish our confidence or belittle our achievements. A person so disturbed, they project their insecurity onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/we-all-know-someone-who-criticizes-us-to-diminish-our-confidence-or/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Your worth isn't defined by others' inability to see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/your-worth-isn-t-defined-by-others-inability-to-see-it/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“If we truly believe in equity, in justice, in accountability — then gender can’t be a shield. A predator is a predator, regardless of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/if-we-truly-believe-in-equity-in-justice-in-accountability-then/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Issues can only be resolved if each person accepts accountability in the problem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/issues-can-only-be-resolved-if-each-person-accepts-accountability-in/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“It's always more admirable to perhaps be seen giving than to purposefully giving to be seen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/it-s-always-more-admirable-to-perhaps-be-seen-giving-than-to/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) ## More by Carlos Wallace > [“We need to get our minds right, because right now we are behaving as if we are out of our right minds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/we-need-to-get-our-minds-right-because-right-now-we-are-behaving-as/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“It's always more admirable to perhaps be seen giving than to purposefully giving to be seen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/it-s-always-more-admirable-to-perhaps-be-seen-giving-than-to/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Issues can only be resolved if each person accepts accountability in the problem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/issues-can-only-be-resolved-if-each-person-accepts-accountability-in/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“If we truly believe in equity, in justice, in accountability — then gender can’t be a shield. A predator is a predator, regardless of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/if-we-truly-believe-in-equity-in-justice-in-accountability-then/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Your worth isn't defined by others' inability to see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/your-worth-isn-t-defined-by-others-inability-to-see-it/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“We all know someone who criticizes us to diminish our confidence or belittle our achievements. A person so disturbed, they project their insecurity onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/we-all-know-someone-who-criticizes-us-to-diminish-our-confidence-or/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Most people dwell in that negative space because so many are conditioned to believe it is all they deserve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/most-people-dwell-in-that-negative-space-because-so-many-are/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“The most powerful tool you possess is your own belief in yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/the-most-powerful-tool-you-possess-is-your-own-belief-in-yourself/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Elevation at times require separation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/elevation-at-times-require-separation/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“The road to success is paved with hard work, long hours, honorable intentions, and a humble heart. When you lose your humility, life becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/the-road-to-success-is-paved-with-hard-work-long-hours-honorable/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Some people applaud my no nonsense approach to life. Others say my methods are “extreme”. Where I’m headed and how I get there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/some-people-applaud-my-no-nonsense-approach-to-life-others-say-my/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“The truth will only offend those who would rather defend lies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/the-truth-will-only-offend-those-who-would-rather-defend-lies/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“The most dangerous among us come dressed as angels and we learn too late they are the devil in disguise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/the-most-dangerous-among-us-come-dressed-as-angels-and-we-learn-too/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“If we're serious about rebuilding and restoring what was lost in our communities, in our families, in society, it really does start here. (Reclaiming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/if-we-re-serious-about-rebuilding-and-restoring-what-was-lost-in-our/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Happiness will never flourish in a life bereft of optimism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/happiness-will-never-flourish-in-a-life-bereft-of-optimism/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) [Explore all 73 Carlos Wallace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) ## More Carlos-wallace quotes > [“It's always more admirable to perhaps be seen giving than to purposefully giving to be seen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/it-s-always-more-admirable-to-perhaps-be-seen-giving-than-to/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Issues can only be resolved if each person accepts accountability in the problem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/issues-can-only-be-resolved-if-each-person-accepts-accountability-in/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“If we truly believe in equity, in justice, in accountability — then gender can’t be a shield. A predator is a predator, regardless of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/if-we-truly-believe-in-equity-in-justice-in-accountability-then/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Your worth isn't defined by others' inability to see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/your-worth-isn-t-defined-by-others-inability-to-see-it/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“We all know someone who criticizes us to diminish our confidence or belittle our achievements. A person so disturbed, they project their insecurity onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/we-all-know-someone-who-criticizes-us-to-diminish-our-confidence-or/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Most people dwell in that negative space because so many are conditioned to believe it is all they deserve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/most-people-dwell-in-that-negative-space-because-so-many-are/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“The most powerful tool you possess is your own belief in yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/the-most-powerful-tool-you-possess-is-your-own-belief-in-yourself/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Elevation at times require separation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/elevation-at-times-require-separation/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Some people applaud my no nonsense approach to life. Others say my methods are “extreme”. Where I’m headed and how I get there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/some-people-applaud-my-no-nonsense-approach-to-life-others-say-my/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“The truth will only offend those who would rather defend lies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/the-truth-will-only-offend-those-who-would-rather-defend-lies/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“The most dangerous among us come dressed as angels and we learn too late they are the devil in disguise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/the-most-dangerous-among-us-come-dressed-as-angels-and-we-learn-too/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“If we're serious about rebuilding and restoring what was lost in our communities, in our families, in society, it really does start here. (Reclaiming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/if-we-re-serious-about-rebuilding-and-restoring-what-was-lost-in-our/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Happiness will never flourish in a life bereft of optimism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/happiness-will-never-flourish-in-a-life-bereft-of-optimism/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Your greatest challenge is not the world around you. It's the limitations within you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/your-greatest-challenge-is-not-the-world-around-you-it-s-the/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [“Imagine being the 'party of law and order' and having a convicted felon at the top of your ticket.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/imagine-being-the-party-of-law-and-order-and-having-a-convicted-felon/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) [Browse all 68 Carlos-wallace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carlos-wallace/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If you talk about what you \"can't do\" before even considering what you \"can do\", you will never become what you could have been.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Carlos Wallace" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-before-even-considering-what-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Carlos-wallace" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-before-even-considering-what-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/carlos-wallace-9368_carlos-wallace_if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-befo_3154899.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/carlos-wallace-9368_carlos-wallace_if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-befo_3154899.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/carlos-wallace-9368_carlos-wallace_if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-befo_3154899.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you talk about what you \"can't do\" before even considering what you \"can do\", you will never become what…” — Carlos Wallace", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Carlos Wallace", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If you talk about what you...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-before-even-considering-what-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/if-you-talk-about-what-you-can-t-do-before-even-considering-what-you/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```