Do It Because They Said You Couldn’t: The Fire Behind Defiance
- Kirk Carlson
- Oct 23
- 2 min read
There’s a moment in everyone’s life when they’re told “You can’t.”
You’re not strong enough. Not smart enough. Not the right background.
And in that moment, you’re left with two choices:
Shrink yourself to fit their expectations
Or rise up and prove them wrong
The image of a weathered man, cigarette in mouth, holding a homemade sign reading “Do it because they said you couldn’t” says more than a thousand motivational posters. It doesn’t just scream rebellion—it whispers resilience.
🔥 The Psychology of Proving Them Wrong
What drives someone to keep going after rejection, after failure, after doubt? It’s not just pride. It’s not just anger. It’s the unshakable belief that your story isn’t over just because someone else decided it should be.
This kind of defiance is powerful. It has created movements, toppled barriers, and fueled the rise of people who came from “nowhere” and ended up changing everything.
💥 Why You Need a “Because They Said You Couldn’t” Moment
Your enemies, your doubters, your haters—they’re your best accountability coaches. When people put you in a box, you get to choose whether to decorate it… or break out of it.
When they tell you:
“You’ll never start that nonprofit.”
“You won’t make it through school.”
“You can’t raise that kind of money.”
“You’re too old, too young, too damaged, too new…”
Smile. Say thank you. Then go harder.
Because there’s nothing more therapeutic, more healing, more energizing than accomplishing the very thing they said was impossible.
✊🏼 Covenant of Courage Was Built on Defiance
Every time they said veterans couldn’t lead again…
Every time they dismissed injured service members…
Every time someone laughed at the JLBC Cadet Corps, Warrior Bootcamp, or #ReasonableRanks…
We built it anyway.
Not for applause. Not for ego. But to show others it could be done. That they could do it too.
So whatever your “they said you couldn’t” is… let it become your fuel. Let it sharpen your vision. Let it teach you that success is the greatest comeback story of all.
🖊 Sign the petition: https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR
🌐 Learn more: www.covenantofcourage.com
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