--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can do anything we want. The next time…" description: "\"We can do anything we want. The next time you hear yourself saying, to another-and especially yourself-I Can't, take a deep breath and say instead, My ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/242/peter-mcwilliams-2236_breath_we-can-do-anything-we-want-the-next-time_2230657.png" --- # We can do anything we want. The next time you hear… ![“We can do anything we want. The next time you hear yourself saying, to another-and especially yourself-I Can't, take a deep breath and say instead, My resources are otherwise engaged.” quote by Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/242/peter-mcwilliams-2236_breath_we-can-do-anything-we-want-the-next-time_2230657.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/242/peter-mcwilliams-2236_breath_we-can-do-anything-we-want-the-next-time_2230657.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/242/peter-mcwilliams-2236_breath_we-can-do-anything-we-want-the-next-time_2230657.png) > “We can do anything we want. The next time you hear yourself saying, to another-and especially yourself-I Can't, take a deep breath and say instead, My resources are otherwise engaged.” [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When faced with a limitation, reframe it as a temporary engagement, shifting mindset from inability to resourcefulness. **In simple terms:** Say “my resources are otherwise engaged” instead of “I can’t”. Key Takeaway Reframe constraints as temporary engagements. Themes mindset resourcefulness self‑talk empowerment psychology Mood motivational pragmatic Type psychological self‑help When to use this quote - personal development - coaching - team meetings - public speaking Key Concepts cognitive reframing assertiveness stress management goal setting Questions to Reflect On - How does this reframe affect personal accountability? - When is it appropriate to use this language? A Different Perspective The phrase may sound evasive if overused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath/) [Breath Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath-say-664195/) [Breaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breaths/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Deep breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-breath/) [Engaged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engaged/) [Hear Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hear-saying/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next/) [Next time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-time/) [Resources](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resources/) [Resources Engaged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resources-engaged-5017533/) [Take a deep breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take-a-deep-breath/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [“Okay, I'm going to be completely honest here." I take a deep breath, because what I'm about to say is very real and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/okay-i-m-going-to-be-completely-honest-here-i-take-a-deep-breath/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [I can't take not knowing what the next day will bring- the uncertainty is sawing me in two. The room is dark. A flickering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pittacus-lore/i-can-t-take-not-knowing-what-the-next-day-will-bring-the-uncertainty/) [Pittacus Lore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pittacus-lore/) > [I feel like you have to be so precise in what you are going to say, or you can be hammered if you say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/i-feel-like-you-have-to-be-so-precise-in-what-you-are-going-to-say-or/) [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jessica-parker/) > [One of the hardest things I've had to learn is to let it go. At the end of the show or the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taissa-farmiga/one-of-the-hardest-things-i-ve-had-to-learn-is-to-let-it-go-at-the/) [Taissa Farmiga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taissa-farmiga/) > [Take a deep breath and try to see how you can make things work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-welling/take-a-deep-breath-and-try-to-see-how-you-can-make-things-work/) [Tom Welling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-welling/) > [I also think pronunciation of a foreign tongue could be better taught than by demanding from the pupil those internal acrobatic feats that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/i-also-think-pronunciation-of-a-foreign-tongue-could-be-better-taught/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Leaving a great organization and a lucrative contract is not easy, but it allows me to take a deep breath and work on things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-busch/leaving-a-great-organization-and-a-lucrative-contract-is-not-easy-but/) [Kurt Busch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-busch/) > [Take a deep breath. Get present in the moment and ask yourself what is important this very second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-mckeown/take-a-deep-breath-get-present-in-the-moment-and-ask-yourself-what-is/) [Greg McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-mckeown/) > [If I feel frustrated in a situation, I take a deep breath and walk away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iman-abdulmajid/if-i-feel-frustrated-in-a-situation-i-take-a-deep-breath-and-walk-away/) [Iman Abdulmajid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iman-abdulmajid/) > [I have so much chaos in my life, it's become normal. You become used to it. You have to just relax, calm down, take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-welling/i-have-so-much-chaos-in-my-life-it-s-become-normal-you-become-used-to/) [Tom Welling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-welling/) > [I take a deep breath. I'm not sure where that swell of desperation came from, but know that I've acknowledge it, it's impossible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-take-a-deep-breath-i-m-not-sure-where-that-swell-of-desperation/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [During a panic attack, I remember that today is just today and that is all that it is. I take a deep breath in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-greenfield/during-a-panic-attack-i-remember-that-today-is-just-today-and-that-is/) [Max Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-greenfield/) > [In life you are going to make mistakes, you're going to fall down, but it's the getting up that counts. Just like in baseball:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/in-life-you-are-going-to-make-mistakes-you-re-going-to-fall-down-but/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [If you take a deep breath and look around, 'Look what's happening to me!' can become 'Look what's happening!' And what's happening? The incredible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-boorstein/if-you-take-a-deep-breath-and-look-around-look-what-s-happening-to-me/) [Sylvia Boorstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-boorstein/) > [Go for broke. Always try and do too much. Dispense with safety nets. Take a deep breath before you begin talking. Aim for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/go-for-broke-always-try-and-do-too-much-dispense-with-safety-nets/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) ## More by Peter McWilliams > [Heroes became heroes flaws and all gives us hope. "You mean I don't have to be perfect to fulfill my Dream, to make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/heroes-became-heroes-flaws-and-all-gives-us-hope-you-mean-i-don-t/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Choosing what you want to do, and when to do it, is an act of creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/choosing-what-you-want-to-do-and-when-to-do-it-is-an-act-of-creation/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [there is nothing to be done. only accept it... and hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/there-is-nothing-to-be-done-only-accept-it-and-hurt/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Nothing adventured, nothing attained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/nothing-adventured-nothing-attained/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [If you want peace with others, don't fight them. Go your own way. Live your own life. If some walk with you, fine. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/if-you-want-peace-with-others-don-t-fight-them-go-your-own-way-live/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Pettiness seems to go hand in hand with vindictiveness. The smaller the person, the larger the need for revenge. This may account for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/pettiness-seems-to-go-hand-in-hand-with-vindictiveness-the-smaller/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Prison is a crash course in the darker side of life. Few survive it without becoming a different person: more cynical, jaded, fearful, angry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/prison-is-a-crash-course-in-the-darker-side-of-life-few-survive-it/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [One of the great joys of life is creativity. Information goes in, gets shuffled about, and comes out in new and interesting ways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/one-of-the-great-joys-of-life-is-creativity-information-goes-in-gets/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Nausea is an unsolved problem of medicine and marijuana is the finest anti-nausea medication known to science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/nausea-is-an-unsolved-problem-of-medicine-and-marijuana-is-the-finest/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Worrying is the interest paid on a debt you may not owe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/worrying-is-the-interest-paid-on-a-debt-you-may-not-owe/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Be easier on yourself, on everyone, on everything. Suspend your judgments on the way things should be, must be, and ought to be. Suspending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/be-easier-on-yourself-on-everyone-on-everything-suspend-your/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [I feel that I am entitled to take medicinal marijuana. In general, I believe that everyone who has a doctor's prescription is entitled to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/i-feel-that-i-am-entitled-to-take-medicinal-marijuana-in-general-i/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Running from fear only strengthens fear-you are demonstrating that fear has power over you. Fear must be faced and gone through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/running-from-fear-only-strengthens-fear-you-are-demonstrating-that/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Positive thoughts: joy, happiness, fulfillment, achievement, worthiness, have positive results: enthusiasm, calm, well-being, ease, energy, love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/positive-thoughts-joy-happiness-fulfillment-achievement-worthiness/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Some people think that meditation takes time away from physical accomplishment. Taken to extremes, of course, that's true. Most people, however, find that meditation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/some-people-think-that-meditation-takes-time-away-from-physical/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) [Explore all 177 Peter McWilliams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) ## More Breath quotes > [“The days may last forever, but the years pass by in a blink; the secret to survival is actually remembering to take a deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-smokler/the-days-may-last-forever-but-the-years-pass-by-in-a-blink-the-secret/) [Jill Smokler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-smokler/) > [Dawn's faint breath breathes with your mouth at the ends of empty streets. Gray light your eyes, sweet drops of dawn on dark hills.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/dawn-s-faint-breath-breathes-with-your-mouth-at-the-ends-of-empty/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [Take a deep breath. It,s just a bad day not a bad life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/take-a-deep-breath-it-s-just-a-bad-day-not-a-bad-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I stopped loving you today, But OMG..., Seeing your Body takes my breath away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becka-miller/i-stopped-loving-you-today-but-omg-seeing-your-body-takes-my-breath/) [Becka Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becka-miller/) > [So we must do our very best Whatever life may bring And look beyond the winter chill To smell the breath of spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-we-must-do-our-very-best-whatever-life-may-bring-and-look-beyond/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its divine movements or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. To do both is supreme…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/poetry-should-be-vital-either-stirring-our-blood-by-its-divine/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [“The first step in awareness is to be watchful of your body. Slowly,slowly one becomes alert about each gesture,each movement. And as you become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/the-first-step-in-awareness-is-to-be-watchful-of-your-body-slowly/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [Tic Tacs are the maracas of breath mints.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/tic-tacs-are-the-maracas-of-breath-mints/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [“To control your life, control your mind. To control your mind, control your breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/to-control-your-life-control-your-mind-to-control-your-mind-control/) [Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/) > [“He’s sitting so close, I can feel his breath on my cheek. My stomach flip-flops again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-s-sitting-so-close-i-can-feel-his-breath-on-my-cheek-my-stomach/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“My life to yours. My breath beecome yours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/my-life-to-yours-my-breath-beecome-yours/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [“My heart is your heart," she whispers, and wow that takes my breath away, this line from my childhood that she always used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annabel-pitcher/my-heart-is-your-heart-she-whispers-and-wow-that-takes-my-breath-away/) [Annabel Pitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annabel-pitcher/) > [Good manners and bad breath will get you nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-costello/good-manners-and-bad-breath-will-get-you-nowhere/) [Elvis Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-costello/) > [“Being able to be myself was like being able to exhale for the first time after holding my breath for years. It’s only when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/404-ink/being-able-to-be-myself-was-like-being-able-to-exhale-for-the-first/) [404 Ink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/404-ink/) [Browse all 1,839 Breath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We can do anything we want. 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