The Power of “I Can”
Growing up, there weren’t many rules in my house, but there was one that mattered. My father had a strong opinion about the word can’t. He simply didn’t believe in it. In our home, can’t was replaced with can.
At first, I treated it as a challenge rather than a rule. Over time, though, it became part of who I was. That small shift—from can’t to can— shaped how I approached school, work, and eventually, the bigger challenges in life. No matter how daunting something felt, I learned to begin from a place of I can.
Perseverance, a theme I often weave into my books, grows from that same mindset. Saying I can is a declaration; perseverance is the action that follows. Of course, trying doesn’t always lead to the outcome we hope for. But taking the first step matters. Approaching life with I can opens us to growth, while I can’t shuts the door before we begin.
When I write for children, my hope is that they will absorb this message early: that they are capable, that they can try, and that they can persevere. Sometimes the most powerful lesson we pass on is the simplest—two small words, I can, can make a lifelong difference.
Dr. William Hawkey, Head of School at the Pennington School in Pennington, NJ, has spent his career helping young people discover that truth in their own lives. With a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Human Development, master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology, and a PhD in School Psychology, he has guided students through many formative years, and his perspective echoes what I learned as a child.
“As an educator,” Dr. Hawkey explains, “I have the joy of being around young people most of the day. It is a great privilege and responsibility to help guide them as they navigate some of the most formative years of their lives. One of the most important lessons we can share (and model) is that following one’s heart—pursuing what matters most—requires courage, persistence, and a belief in oneself.
“It’s natural for students/young people to have doubts and feel discouraged when faced with challenges, but we can remind them that obstacles should not be interpreted as dead ends; they are stepping stones that shape one’s character, resilience, and learning.
“We need to be honest with young people and tell them that failure and setbacks are part of life. Encouraging young people not to give up means helping them reframe setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth. When they encounter failure or disappointment, we can teach them to ask, ‘What can I learn from this experience?’ rather than Why did this happen to me? By modeling perseverance ourselves and offering support (without coming to the rescue), we send a powerful message: that success isn’t measured by how quickly you reach a goal, but by the determination, grit, and integrity you show along the way.”