Impossible Is Just A Word 2: When You Choose to Begin

Do you know anyone that is legendary?

Or...

Maybe you know someone who has legendary aspirations?

Well, in order to become a legend, you've got to envision yourself in the place you wish to be. Otherwise, your journey becomes just another part of your everyday life.

You'll literally have no mission to fulfill.

If you want better, you've got to do better and if you really want to do better, you've got to be realistic.

When "Go-getters" Become "No-getters"

Now, some people swing to the opposite extreme. They dream of becoming billionaire astronaut rockstar chefs who also happen to be Olympic athletes and Nobel Prize winners. By Tuesday.

These folks suffer from what is sometimes called "shooting for the moon with a slingshot syndrome." 

reaching for the next plateau 

A 2021 study involving 271 participants found that only 10% successfully achieved their ambitious goals, leaving 90% to face failure. The result? Broken dreams and tattered aspirations that would make an obituary writer weep.

If you limit yourself with self-doubt and self-limiting assumptions, you'll never break past what you deem impossible. But if you reach too far into the stratosphere without a rocket ship (or at least a solid plan), you'll find yourself clinging to an impossible dream like a cat stuck in a tree.

Sounds depressing, doesn't it?

Don't worry, we've got a few suggestions for you.

** New to this series? Start here! AND finish here!**

The Three-Column Mindset Method

Here's a practical exercise that won't make you roll your eyes.

Grab a piece of paper. 

Yes, an actual piece of paper, not a digital note that you'll forget exists in five minutes.

Create three columns:

1. **"I know I can do this"** (Your comfort zone champions)

2. **"I might be able to do this"** (Your stretch zone stars)  

3. **"Impossible for me to do"** (Your moonshot dreams)

Start working on everything in column one. Check them off as you accomplish them. As you demolish that first list, start tackling column two.

Here's where you begin to see the results: as you prove to yourself that "might be possible" becomes "totally doable," you can start moving items from your "impossible" list into the "might be possible" category.

This isn't just feel-good fluff, either. People who set goals are 43 percent more likely to achieve them. And performance-linked goals improve productivity by 35%.

From Impossible to Inevitable: Historical Perspective

The technique here isn't to limit your imagination. The goal is to aim high while staying grounded in reality. It's also unwise to set goals that are truly unrealistic (like becoming fluent in Mandarin by tomorrow or getting your teenager to voluntarily clean their room).

If you had told someone 125 years ago that we'd carry devices in our pockets that could instantly connect us to virtually all human knowledge or that we'd be living in an age of self-driving vehicles, they'd have recommended you for a nice, quiet stay at the local asylum. 

step-by-step, rung-by-rung

But through determination, innovation, and probably an alarming amount of caffeine, these "impossible" dreams became everyday realities. In 2024 alone, we've seen breakthroughs that would have seemed like pure science fiction just decades ago – from extraordinary progress in AI to revolutionary medical treatments that are literally rewriting the rules of what's possible.

The Modern Success Formula

Thomas Edison famously said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. While we might question his methodology (the guy tried over 1,000 different materials for his light bulb filament), his point still holds water.

To accomplish your dreams, you need hard work and discipline. But here's the modern twist Edison couldn't have predicted: that 1% inspiration needs to be a think-big dream, not some easily accomplished goal like "organize my sock drawer" (though let's be honest, even that can feel impossible some days).

Today's research shows us that challenging but achievable goals lead to 90% better performance. The sweet spot isn't playing it safe or shooting for Mars with a paper airplane. It's all about finding that perfect balance between ambitious and attainable.

Ask anyone who's serious about fitness, and they'll tell you there's truth in the old saying "no pain, no gains."

Growth happens outside your comfort zone, in that slightly uncomfortable space where you're pushing your boundaries without completely overwhelming yourself.

Your First Mission: Choose to Begin

So here's a challenge for you: dream on! Don't get caught up in your perceived limitations or let fear of failure keep you playing small. But also don't set yourself up for disappointment by expecting to become an internationally renowned expert in everything by next Thursday.

Think big, start small, and work consistently toward those dreams. Setting goals and working towards them can increase the likelihood of achieving success by up to 50%. 

As you climb that ladder of progress (and yes, some rungs might be wobbly), you'll discover something remarkable: the impossible has a funny way of becoming just another item on your completed checklist.

everyone should know how to chill

The only real impossibility? Never trying in the first place.

So what's it going to be? Another year of collecting dream dust, or the year you finally prove to yourself that impossible really is just a word?

The choice, as they say, is yours. But the statistics are definitely in your favor.

Coming up next: Now that you know impossible is just a word, let's talk about rewiring your brain for success. 

We'll jump into the amazing world of mental fitness and discover how your mind is literally built to help you achieve those "impossible" goals.

"Your Health Is Your Wealth!!"