From Doubt to Determination: A Lesson from a Honda Commercial

I recently saw a commercial that left me both amazed and inspired—an incredibly creative one by Honda. The ad started with a thought-provoking message that played out like this:

“You won’t remember my name.

this is the last time

you will see me at the top.

my doubts

will destroy

my dreams.

the more i seem to learn,

the more i seem to lose.

i want to carry on,

but not today.

This is the point i give up.”

But then, with a shift in tone, those exact same words were reversed in meaning:

"but not today.

i want to carry on,

the more i seem to lose.

the more i seem to learn,

my dreams.

will destroy

my doubts.

you will see me at the top.

this is the last time.

you won’t remember my name.”

What fascinated me about this commercial was how it used the same words but conveyed two completely different viewpoints. It shows how the way we speak to ourselves, or about ourselves, can either build us up or tear us down. The words remained the same, but their meaning transformed based on how they were spoken. This left me thinking about how often we say or believe things about ourselves that we assume to be true—whether it’s because of past failures, the voices of others telling us we can’t, or seeing someone we admire fall short, leading us to think we’re destined for the same.

But what if we could flip the script?

Instead of saying, “I can’t,” what if we asked, “How can I?” How can we shift our mindset to see failures not as setbacks but as opportunities to grow? Each failure could become a step closer to success, instead of a reason to stop.

This Honda ad is a perfect example of the power of perspective. It challenges us to examine our internal dialogue. The same words can be either a stumbling block or a stepping stone, depending on how we choose to frame them. So, what if, like the ad, we took the doubts and fears we often face and flipped them into a declaration of perseverance and hope?

The choice is ours to make.

You can watch the full Honda commercial below.

A Nod to Honda

This commercial is a testament to Honda's commitment to not only crafting remarkable vehicles but also inspiring us to challenge our perceptions and push through our doubts. If you want to check out more of Honda's innovative advertising, you can explore their official YouTube channel here.