Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
- John Wooden
When Wooden says, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do,” he’s warning us about a quiet but common trap: fixating on limitations until they paralyze progress.
Everyone has constraints—time, money, skill gaps, experience, fear, past mistakes. The problem isn’t that these limitations exist; it’s when we give them so much attention that they crowd out action. We start saying “I can’t do this yet” and end up doing nothing at all, even though there are meaningful steps well within reach.
Wooden’s point is deeply practical. You don’t need perfect conditions to move forward. You don’t need to master every skill before starting. Progress happens when you focus on what is possible right now—your current abilities, your available resources, and the next doable step—and act on those instead of waiting for obstacles to disappear.
There’s also a mindset shift embedded here. Obsessing over what you can’t do often leads to comparison, self-doubt, or excuses. Focusing on what you can do builds momentum and confidence. Each small action strengthens your capacity, often shrinking the very limitations that once felt overwhelming.
In essence, Wooden is reminding us that forward motion beats perfect readiness. Limitations are real, but they don’t deserve control over your effort. When you consistently apply your energy to what’s within your control, progress accumulates—and over time, today’s “can’t” often turns into tomorrow’s “can.”
