By Marilyn Sherman, Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker and Author of Front-Row Success
Have you ever talked yourself out of doing something before you even tried? Maybe you’ve said, “I don’t have enough experience,” “I’m too old to start something new,” or “I don’t have the talent, resources, or confidence to pull that off.” Sound familiar? We all have moments when we focus more on what we think we CAN’T do than what might actually be possible. But sometimes, all it takes is meeting someone extraordinary to challenge everything we believe about our own limitations.
That’s exactly what happened when I recently shared the stage with my friend and fellow professional speaker, Alvin Law. And let me tell you, if you ever need a reminder of what’s possible, Alvin is your guy!
Meet Alvin Law: A Man Who Redefines What’s Possible
Alvin Law was born without arms in 1960. He grew up in a foster home where his parents taught him a powerful philosophy: “It doesn’t matter where you come from, it matters where you’re going.” What an incredible lesson to learn early in life! Rather than allowing others to define his future by what he didn’t have, Alvin learned to focus on what he could accomplish. And accomplish he has!
Alvin became an internationally recognized motivational keynote speaker and an accomplished musician who plays drums, piano, and trombone. Yes, you read that correctly. He plays the drums with his FEET! I had the privilege of watching Alvin deliver his keynote at a recent conference, and it was extraordinary. Not simply because of his musical talent, but because of the message behind it.
Afterward, I interviewed him for Front-Row Friday, and he shared something that really stuck with me: “The most important thing is not look what I can do, it’s look what you can do.”
WOW! Think about that for a moment. Alvin doesn’t share his story so we can walk away impressed by his accomplishments. He shares his story so we can walk away questioning the limits we’ve placed on ourselves. And THAT is where the real inspiration begins.
Are Your Limitations Real or Self-Imposed?
One of the greatest obstacles to personal and professional success is the belief that something isn’t possible. Now, don’t misunderstand me. Some obstacles are very real. We all face circumstances we didn’t choose, setbacks we couldn’t anticipate, and challenges that require resources, support, or adaptations. But sometimes we give up on a dream not because we’ve exhausted our options, but because we’ve already convinced ourselves it won’t work.
We tell ourselves we’re not leadership material, we’re terrible at public speaking, we’re too old to change careers, or we don’t have what it takes to succeed. Before you know it, we’ve talked ourselves right out of an opportunity! Here’s something I often remind audiences in my keynote presentations: You can’t live life in the Front-Row if you keep making decisions from the balcony.
The balcony is where it’s easy to watch other people take risks, pursue opportunities, and accomplish their goals while we convince ourselves we don’t have what it takes. But living life in the Front-Row requires participation. It means getting involved, taking action, and having the courage to discover what you’re capable of. It doesn’t mean you’ll always succeed on the first try. It means you’re willing to try.
A Front-Row mindset is about focusing on opportunities instead of automatically surrendering to limitations. It’s asking, “How might I make this work?” instead of immediately declaring, “That will never work.” It’s recognizing that your past doesn’t have to dictate your future. And perhaps most importantly, it’s understanding that you don’t have to know exactly HOW you’re going to accomplish something before you decide it’s worth pursuing.
Think about Alvin. Imagine the creativity, determination, practice, and support that went into learning to play musical instruments without arms. His accomplishments didn’t happen because his challenges disappeared. They happened because he developed ways to pursue his goals. That’s a lesson we can all apply to our own lives and careers.
Great Leaders Help Others See What’s Possible
Here’s where Alvin’s message becomes especially meaningful for leaders. Think about the people you work with. Your employees, colleagues, team members, or even the people you mentor. How often do you see potential in someone that they don’t yet recognize in themselves? Maybe you have an employee who would be an outstanding leader, but they’re afraid of taking on more responsibility. Or a team member who has a great idea but hesitates to speak up because they’re worried about being wrong.
As leaders, we have an incredible opportunity to help those people see what’s possible. I often teach that Front-Row leaders are like ushers. They illuminate the path and help others find their best seats. A great leader doesn’t simply tell people what to do. A great leader encourages, challenges, supports, and helps people recognize their capabilities. Sometimes, that means believing in someone before they fully believe in themselves.
Imagine what could happen to your organization’s culture if more leaders focused on developing potential instead of simply pointing out limitations. You might discover talents that have been overlooked, ideas that have gone unspoken, and future leaders who were simply waiting for someone to give them an opportunity. That’s how you build stronger teams and a culture where people feel encouraged to grow.
Another part of my conversation with Alvin really resonated with me. He talked about the importance of people coming together in person. While he acknowledged that virtual and hybrid meetings can be effective, he reminded us that there’s something special about the energy created when people gather, share experiences, encourage one another, and unite around a common goal. He described the excitement of a group coming together and saying, “Yes, we can!”
I couldn’t agree more! As someone who has spent years speaking to corporate and association audiences, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when people gather with a shared sense of purpose. Connections are made. Ideas are exchanged. People feel recognized and appreciated. Sometimes, one conversation or one powerful message changes how someone sees their future. That’s why I love what I do. Motivation isn’t simply about getting people excited for an hour. It’s about helping them walk away with a different perspective and the willingness to take meaningful action.
Three Ways to Stop Saying “I Can’t” and Start Asking “What If I Can?”
- Challenge the story you’ve been telling yourself. The next time you catch yourself saying, “I can’t do that,” ask yourself WHY. Is it truly impossible, or is it unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or something you’ve never attempted? Instead of saying, “I’m terrible at public speaking,” try saying, “I haven’t developed my public speaking skills YET.” That one little word opens the door to growth.
- Surround yourself with people who encourage possibility. Alvin credits his foster parents with helping him develop the attitude that shaped his life. Think about the people in your corner. Do they encourage you to stretch beyond your comfort zone? Do they celebrate your progress and help you see opportunities instead of only obstacles? We all need people who remind us what we’re capable of, especially when we begin to doubt ourselves. And don’t forget, you can be that person for someone else!
- Take one step toward something you’ve been putting off. Maybe you’ve been thinking about going after a promotion, starting a business, learning a new skill, or crossing something off your bucket list. What could you do TODAY to move one step closer? Make the phone call. Sign up for the class. Ask for the opportunity. Start the conversation. Because confidence often grows AFTER we take action, not before.
Your Front-Row Friday Challenge: What If You CAN?
I want you to think about something you’ve been telling yourself you can’t do. Maybe it’s something you’ve wanted to accomplish for years. Maybe it’s a professional goal or a personal dream you’ve quietly put on hold. Now imagine what might happen if you stopped focusing exclusively on the reasons it couldn’t work and started exploring ways it might.
You don’t have to ignore your challenges, pretend everything is easy, or figure it all out alone. But you CAN give yourself permission to try. Alvin Law’s message reminds us that our potential is not always obvious, and we shouldn’t be so quick to decide where it ends.
So instead of just admiring what someone else has accomplished, turn that inspiration into action. Don’t simply look at what Alvin can do. Take a look at what YOU can do! Because living life in the Front-Row isn’t about having every advantage. It’s about making the most of your opportunities, stretching beyond your comfort zone, and refusing to settle for a life spent watching from the balcony.
Happy Front-Row Friday!
Marilyn Sherman
Hall of Fame Motivational Keynote Speaker | Author of Front-Row Success: How to Live and Lead from the Best Seat in the House
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alvin Law?
Alvin Law is an internationally recognized motivational keynote speaker and musician who was born without arms in 1960. He is known for his presentations about perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and embracing possibilities. He plays musical instruments, including drums, piano, and trombone, using his feet.
What is Alvin Law’s motivational message?
Alvin encourages people to look beyond their perceived limitations and recognize their potential. As he shared with Marilyn Sherman, the most important lesson from his accomplishments isn’t what he can do, but what others can discover they’re capable of doing.
How can you overcome self-imposed limitations?
Start by identifying beliefs that may be holding you back. Challenge negative assumptions, develop new skills, seek encouragement, and take small, consistent steps toward your goals. A growth-oriented mindset helps you explore possibilities instead of automatically assuming something cannot be done.
What is a Front-Row mindset?
A Front-Row mindset, as taught by motivational keynote speaker Marilyn Sherman, is a proactive approach to life and leadership. It means taking responsibility for your attitude and actions, stepping outside your comfort zone, pursuing meaningful goals, and participating fully rather than watching opportunities pass you by.
How can leaders help employees reach their full potential?
Leaders can help employees grow by recognizing individual strengths, encouraging professional development, providing opportunities to take on challenges, and offering constructive feedback. Front-Row Leadership emphasizes helping others recognize their potential and succeed.
Why are in-person conferences and motivational keynote speakers valuable?
In-person conferences create opportunities for meaningful connections, shared learning, and collective motivation. An effective motivational keynote speaker can reinforce messages about leadership, resilience, accountability, and performance, inspiring participants to turn new perspectives into meaningful action.
About Marilyn Sherman
Marilyn Sherman is a Hall of Fame motivational keynote speaker, leadership expert, and author of Front-Row Success: How to Live and Lead from the Best Seat in the House. Through her Front-Row philosophy, she helps organizations reignite engagement, strengthen leadership, improve performance, and inspire employees to take ownership of their attitudes and actions. Her keynote presentations equip corporate and association audiences with practical strategies to get out of their comfort zones, overcome obstacles, and achieve greater personal and professional success.
Learn more about Marilyn’s keynote programs at www.FrontRowSuccess.com and Alvin Law at www.alvinlaw.com.
What have YOU accomplished that you once thought was impossible? I’d love to hear your story!
