The phrase that broke dad habitually said was, “I can't afford it.” However, rich dad forbade us from saying that. He insisted we change the way we express ourselves, not saying “I can't afford it,” but asking, “How can I afford it?” These two sentences seem similar but are actually completely different. One is a statement that leads people to give up directly; the other is a question that forces you to think about solutions. Later, the rich dad who became wealthy shortly after explained: when you subconsciously say “I can't afford it,” your brain stops functioning; but when you ask yourself “How can I afford it,” your brain begins to work. Of course, he didn't mean for you to buy everything you want, but emphasized the importance of constantly exercising your brain's thinking ability because the brain is the most powerful “computer” in the world. Rich dad believed that the more you use your brain, the more flexible it becomes; the more flexible your brain is, the stronger your ability to create wealth. In his view, those who habitually say “I can't afford it” are actually displaying a form of mental laziness.