When You Can You Will

Why You Can't Always Do What You Want to Do...and What to Do About It

By: Lynne Bernfield

Narrated by: Lynne Bernfeild

When You Can You Will: Why You Can't Always Do What You Want to Do...and What to Do About It has helped thousands of people understand and deal with the unexpected dilemmas they face when attempting to change themselves or their organizations.

When You Can You Will is a book about change. Its premise is that when you want to change but can’t, there’s always a good reason. While you may not see it, there’s an obstacle blocking your path, and you may not be able to move forward until you identify that obstacle.

You may believe the conventional wisdom that assures us that if we just want something badly enough or try hard enough to achieve it, we can do anything. But after 30 years of working with people who are struggling to change, I’m convinced that when you’re stuck, wanting and trying may not be enough. It is recognizing what’s stopping you - the obstacle - that makes change possible. Ironically, focusing your attention and energy on wanting and trying can be counterproductive, as it diverts you from finding and addressing your obstacle.

We are creatures of habit. It is not easy for us to change the way we think or act. As a result, when individuals or organizations decide to/or need to change, they often encounter resistance. In our eagerness to realize our goals, we may ignore this resistance and try to push through it. We can sometimes achieve short-term change or the appearance of change, but when the pushing stops, just like the proverbial rubber band, our old behavior snaps back into place. Ignoring this resistance can inhibit change indefinitely. When You Can You Will helps listeners identify their obstacle and find ways around it to the change they want to make.

©1993 Lynne Bernfeild (P)2001 Lynne Bernfeild