Why Me or Why Not Me, That Is The Question
One of my favorite commercials in this past Olympics coverage stars a young girl watching figure skating.
She’s so inspired by what she sees, she sets up her own “skating rink” in the attic. She places all of her stuffed animal friends around the room, like spectators in an area. And then she starts skating, just like her olympic idol.
I love this commercial because it’s so full of possibility, it’s palpable. You can see her imagination take her to a world of possibility, without boundaries or naysayers, one where she can be anything she wants to be.
Have you ever been filled by possibility like this?
This little girl has what I like to call “why not me” energy. If someone is going to skate at the Olympics, why not me? If someone gets to go out on that rink, why not me?
It’s that sense of possibility, if something is going to happen in the world that I want, why shouldn’t it be me?
So often, we lose this sense of “why not me” energy when we let the world get us down.
Sometimes it’s bemoaning “why me” energy. Why am I the one who has to work late, pick up the slack when my teammate isn’t pulling their weight, or do the thing, again, that no one wants to do?
Other times it’s diminishing “who am I” energy. Who am I to think I could be seriously considered for that promotion, excel in that stretch role, or be worthy of the raise I wish I was confident enough to ask for?
Somehow we lose that sense of possibility, and find ways to talk ourselves out of dreaming for and going after what we want.
If this sounds familiar, consider this:
If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you dream of?
Our little skater doesn’t wonder if she can dream the dream, she just does it. What dreams do you have, goals you want to pursue, roles you want to step into? Regardless of what you think might be possible, what is it you really want to go after?What lies are you telling yourself about why you can’t?
Now, consider what holds you back from dreaming that dream, why you’re telling yourself you “can’t” go after it. Are these things actually true? If someone is going to dream that dream, what’s getting in the way of it being you?What beliefs do you want to hold?
Next, consider what beliefs you do want to hold, what beliefs would serve you to go after your dream. What beliefs, if truly held, would enable you to go after your dream?
When we lean into that “why not me” energy, things become possible.
If someone is going to realize that dream you have, why not you? It might as well be you!
What dream will you lean into dreaming?
Send me a message and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
March 26, 2026
About the author:
Christina Von Stroh is a leadership coach who helps her clients become wildly successful by applying iterative software development practices to achieve their dreams. Want to work with Christina to help you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
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