Why do people insist they can’t do things?
By Fleur
@Fleura (30596)
United Kingdom
January 2, 2025 9:57am CST
This post was inspired by another by @porwest
Often, people just believe they can’t do something, and insist this is the case no matter what you show them.
Some years ago we used to do surveys of marine wildlife as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s ‘Seasearch’ program. This simply involved going on a (SCUBA) dive and recording what the topography was like and what we saw on the sea bed, i.e. whether it was rocky, muddy or sandy, and whether we saw seaweeds, corals, anemones, worm-holes or whatever.
As part of this we were encouraged to draw a simple sketch.
Now I’m no artist; I can’t even draw a convincing stick man. But I had a go since it’s sometimes easier to show a picture than to try to explain in words, and the result of a few scribbly lines was actually quite a good representation.
Other people were saying “Oh I can’t draw” so I showed them my effort in the hope it would inspire them, since even a few lines and squiggles gave a useful impression of what was there.
But instead of thinking ‘Oh here’s a person who can’t even draw a stick man, and she’s managed to come up with something useful so I can too!” these people just immediately said “Oh that’s really good, I couldn’t possibly do that” and wouldn't even try!
What can you do in the face of such stubborn refusal to believe??
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2025.
11 people like this
11 responses
@LindaOHio (183178)
• United States
3 Jan
They obviously weren't interested enough to even make an effort. That's a pity. Have a good weekend.
2 people like this
. It's not about how "well" one draws, but how one effectively shows what they are trying to convey. I'm no marine expert (but I do draw) - I "get" your drawings 
.
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@just4him (317720)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
3 Jan
I hear that a lot at rock painting. I look at what they're doing and compliment them. Their faces light up at the compliments. They're trying.
Then I hear the same thing from those who see the rocks I paint in my apartment. I tell them to give it a go at the senior center. Only one person started going and painted a couple of rocks. She enjoys it and it's good for her as she's wheelchair bound. It's wonderful to see what she can do.
I agree with you. More people need to try instead of shaking their heads and walking away.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (36883)
• India
3 Jan
I had once raid a quote; " If you think you can; you can.And if you think you can't;you are right."
As a student I was very weak in maths. Once I read the biography of the great mathematician Dr.Shrinivas Ramanujan. It inspired me so much that I started studying maths at home.
That year I emerged the topper in the subject.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (36883)
• India
3 Jan
@Fleura I had once read a quote; " If you think you can; you can; and if you think you can't; you a are right.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (2660)
• India
3 Jan
People do not try. One of the reasons I felt has been -"What is the thing for me in this" syndrome. By putting efforts , there are few who feel good and that they just came out of their comfort zone and became better. For others , they do equate to being materialistic- whta gains would come by the effort. They are not looking to improve themselves, neither doing favour for others for free. Plus , it is not mandatory and so they refuse. And there is nothing much we can do when you face such stubborn refusals. We would have to give them interesting incentives to make things work. Take care!
@AmbiePam (94566)
• United States
2 Jan
In your case, since you showed how simple it was, and they still refused to try, I’d take it as an excuse they really didn’t want to do it in the first place. That, or their self-confidence is sadly at an all time low. I’d tell you I’d try, but don’t get mad when it looks awful because I warned you. I tend to have zero confidence I can do things.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50774)
• United States
13h
If one doesn't at least try they’ll never know what they can do. They apparently didn’t give a care about the project.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (108954)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Jan
I think yours is good. I would do what I could and I can't draw either
1 person likes this
@porwest (93299)
• United States
3 Jan
A perfect summation of what I was talking about. As for your drawing, I think it conveys what you wanted to quite nicely. When it comes to most things, I am one who tends to say, "I can do anything if I put my mind to it." And a part of putting your mind to it is listening to others who already do it and figuring out HOW they do it. It doesn't mean I will be as GOOD at doing it as they are. But the point is I try to know and understand so I can at least have a piece of what they are doing and have SOME opportunity to achieve what I want to on at least on some level.
Great post.
1 person likes this
