The Lie We Keep Telling Ourselves

"I'm bad at math."

How many times have you heard this phrase?

Worse yet, how many times have you said it?

We’ve all encountered it, maybe in a classroom, a work meeting, or even casually in conversation.

It's so common that it’s become a catchphrase for self-sabotage, an excuse we cling to when confronted with anything remotely challenging.

But here’s the real question: Is it true?

If you’ve ever told yourself you’re bad at math, chances are, you weren’t talking about numbers.

What you’re really saying is, "I’m bad at thinking."

Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? But stay with me here.

It's Not About the Math

The problem isn’t math itself.

It's your mindset.

Math is just a language—nothing more, nothing less.

And when you tell yourself that you’re bad at it, what you’re really doing is shutting down your ability to think critically, problem-solve, and tackle life’s challenges.

Most people don’t realize this, but math is the language of logic and critical thinking—the two most important skills you need to succeed in today’s world.

Think about it.

Life is moving at breakneck speed, evolving faster than ever.

New technologies, new industries, new challenges.

You either adapt or get left behind.

And adapting isn’t about memorizing formulas or crunching numbers—it’s about knowing how to think on your feet.

When you can’t figure things out for yourself, you're at a huge disadvantage.

Whether in business, relationships, or personal finance, people who lack the ability to think logically and make decisions quickly get taken advantage of.

You become a target.

You’ll constantly rely on others, losing control of your own life.

And what’s worse?

It’s preventable.

How This Mindset Screws You Over

Think back to any time you’ve had to make a decision under pressure.

Maybe you were negotiating a salary, budgeting for a big purchase, or even trying to figure out the best route to take on a trip.

What do all those situations have in common?

They require the ability to analyze, weigh options, and act decisively.

If you’ve been telling yourself that you’re bad at math, you’ve essentially been telling yourself that you’re bad at these core life skills.

You’ve been programming yourself to believe that critical thinking isn’t your strength.

But here’s where things get scary.

Once you believe it, it becomes true.

• You avoid situations where you need to think strategically.
• You shy away from challenges that involve numbers or data.
• You sidestep opportunities that require a deeper understanding of how things work.

All because you’ve convinced yourself that math—and by extension, thinking—isn’t your thing.

And the result?

You stagnate.

You’re stuck in a loop of avoidance, constantly at the mercy of others who do have those skills.

The irony is, this very avoidance leaves you vulnerable to being manipulated by those who know how to use logic and math to their advantage.

Whether it's a shady business deal, a bad financial decision, or simply losing out on opportunities, you're always one step behind.

Math Is Your Weapon

But here’s the good news.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

You don’t have to be a victim to this belief.

Math isn’t some cryptic, unattainable skill only reserved for geniuses.

It’s a progressive language, starting with the simplest building blocks and growing more complex as you practice.

Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus—each step builds on the last, just like any other skill you’ve mastered in life.

Let’s break it down:

• Arithmetic is like learning your ABCs. It’s basic, foundational, and the starting point for everything else. No one wakes up a master, but everyone can start here.
• Algebra is about learning how to organize your thoughts and solve for the unknown. Sounds a lot like life, right? In relationships, career moves, and even personal goals, we’re always solving for something we don’t know yet. Algebra teaches you how to isolate variables and solve the problem in front of you.
• Geometry? That’s about understanding space and shapes. But really, it's about understanding structure. In life, knowing how things fit together is key to building a strong foundation.
• Pre-calculus and calculus? That’s about understanding change and predicting outcomes. It’s like seeing two moves ahead in chess. You’re not just reacting to life—you’re anticipating it.

And guess what?

Once you learn the language, it’s universal.

Math doesn’t just apply to numbers on a page.

It shows up in every part of your life—your finances, your relationships, your career.

It’s the backbone of strategic thinking.

And here’s the kicker.

Why do you think it’s the language we use to communicate with alien civilizations in movies and books.

Because it’s that universal.

So stop telling yourself you’re bad at math.

What you’re really doing is sabotaging your ability to think and lead your own life.

Take Control of Your Life with Logic

Let me paint you a picture.

Imagine walking into any situation—negotiation, meeting, job interview—with complete confidence.

Imagine being able to see through the BS, understand the numbers, and make a decision that serves your best interest.

Imagine not needing to rely on others to tell you what’s right or wrong, but instead having the skills to figure it out for yourself.

This isn’t about becoming a mathematician.

It’s about becoming a critical thinker.

The person who isn’t fazed by challenges because you have the tools to work through them.

Now picture the opposite.

You continue to tell yourself that math (and by extension, logical thinking) isn’t for you.

You continue to avoid situations that test your problem-solving abilities. What happens?

You remain at the mercy of others.

You remain vulnerable to making mistakes that could have easily been avoided.

You stay stuck.

The real kicker is that math—and the thinking skills it develops—doesn’t just apply to big, life-changing decisions.

It’s in the small things too.

• Figuring out how to make your paycheck last longer.
• Deciding whether it’s worth it to invest in that new course or program.
• Planning out your week for maximum productivity.

It’s all math.

It’s all about thinking logically and making decisions that move you forward.

Stop the Excuses—Start Thinking

Let’s be real.

The “I’m bad at math” excuse is just that—an excuse.

It’s a shield we use to protect ourselves from discomfort, from challenges that force us to grow.

But here’s the thing.

Every time you say it, you’re handing over control of your life to someone else.

You’re letting others do the thinking for you.

And that’s a dangerous place to be in today’s fast-paced, evolving world.

So, the next time you catch yourself saying “I’m bad at math,” stop and ask yourself, “What am I really afraid of?”

Because it’s not about math.

It’s about your ability to think, to reason, and to navigate life with confidence.

And once you understand that math is nothing more than the language of logic, you’ll realize that it’s not the enemy.

It’s the very tool you need to take control, lead your life, and make decisions that push you forward instead of holding you back.

​Master math, master thinking.​

And when you master thinking, you master life.