The person who says it can t be Meaning Factcheck Usage

You know, the person who says it can’t be done should really just get out of the way. It’s a powerful little reminder that action always, always trumps criticism. Let’s break down why this idea is so effective.

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Table of Contents

• Meaning
• Explanation
• Origin & Factcheck
• Context
• Usage Examples
• FAQ

Meaning

At its heart, this quote is about prioritizing action over empty criticism. It’s a call to ignore the naysayers and just focus on the work.

Explanation

Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times in teams. You get the doers—the people with their sleeves rolled up, deep in the messy, beautiful work of creating something. And then you have the critics, often on the sidelines, pointing out every single reason why it might fail. This quote draws a line in the sand. It’s not just about ignoring negativity; it’s about actively protecting the creative and executional space that doers need to operate in. Momentum is everything, and a single “that’ll never work” can shatter it. The real power is in the doing, not the debating.

Quote Summary

Context	Attributes
Original Language	English (3669)
Category	Success (341)
Topics	belief (103), determination (14), focus (155)
Literary Style	assertive (142), witty (99)
Emotion / Mood	confident (39)
Overall Quote Score	83 (302)

Origin & Factcheck

This one is correctly attributed to Brian Tracy, the sales and personal development guru. It comes straight from his classic, The Psychology of Selling. You’ll sometimes see it misattributed to Confucius or other historical figures, but it’s pure Tracy—born from his work in the late 20th century, focused on the mindset required for success in business and life.

Attribution Summary

Context	Attributes
Author	Brian Tracy (375)
Source Type	Book (4032)
Source/Book Name	The Psychology of Selling (65)
Origin Timeperiod	Contemporary (1615)
Original Language	English (3669)
Authenticity	Verified (4032)

Where is this quotation located?

Quotation	The person who says it can’t be done should not interrupt the person doing it
Book Details	Publication Year/Date: 1988; ISBN: 978-0785288060; Last Edition: HarperCollins, Revised Edition 2006; Number of Pages: 240
Where is it?	Chapter 59: Action and Belief, Page 210 / 240

Context

Thinking about it in the context of a sales book is key. Tracy was writing for people who face rejection constantly. That “it can’t be done” voice isn’t just external; it’s often the internal critic, the voice of self-doubt that every salesperson has to conquer. This quote is a weapon against that inner resistance as much as it is against external naysayers.

Usage Examples

So, where do you actually use this? It’s perfect for:

• Team Leaders: Use it to shield your innovators. When someone tries to shoot down a new idea in a meeting, you can gently remind the room, “Let’s not interrupt the doing.”
• Entrepreneurs & Creators: This is your mantra when well-meaning friends or family question your venture. It keeps you focused on building your product, your art, your thing.
• Anyone in a “Can-Do” vs. “Can’t-Do” Culture: It’s a cultural pillar. It clearly states that productive action is valued more than pessimistic commentary.

To whom it appeals?

Context	Attributes
Theme	Wisdom (1754)
Audiences	coaches (1277), entrepreneurs (1007), leaders (2620), sales people (228), students (3112)
Usage Context/Scenario	career inspiration events (1), leadership talks (101), motivational keynotes (43), personal growth blogs (28)

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FAQ

Question: Does this mean we should never listen to constructive feedback?

Answer: Not at all. Big difference. Feedback from someone who is genuinely trying to help you *succeed* in the doing is invaluable. This quote is aimed at the person who just wants to stop the action altogether with no solution.

Question: What if the critic is actually right and it really can’t be done?

Answer: Sometimes they are. But you know what? You often don’t find that out until you try. The lesson learned in the attempt is infinitely more valuable than the lesson never learned because you were talked out of it.

Question: How can I apply this to my own self-doubt?

Answer: That’s the best application. When your own inner voice says “you can’t do this,” recognize it as the critic. Then, consciously choose to interrupt *it* by taking one small, tangible step forward. Action is the antidote.