5 Steps to Defy the Odds and Make the Impossible Happen
In every generation, there are individuals who do things that others say can’t be done… and succeed. But do these do-or-die souls have superhuman powers? No. They work hard to achieve their goals, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
Here are five ways you can do the impossible, too:
1. Define what you want.
The first step to achieving anything is defining what you want. Without a clear destination, it’s difficult to map out a path to get there. When it comes to setting goals, it’s essential to be clear and specific. Defining your goals in specific terms will help you better understand what you need to do to achieve them.
Some questions you can ask yourself to define your goals:
- What do I want more of in my life?
- What do I want less of in my life?
- What do I want to achieve in the next year?
- What do I want to accomplish in the next five years?
2. Break it down into smaller goals.
Once you know what you want, break your goal down into smaller, more manageable steps. It can seem impossible to achieve a big dream. But if you break it down into smaller goals, it can become much more manageable. And when you accomplish those smaller goals, you’ll be one step closer to your overall goal.
Some examples of smaller goals that can help you achieve a big goal include:
- Make a list of what you need to do to achieve your goal
- Break down that list into smaller, more manageable tasks
- Set a deadline for each task
- Tackle one task at a time
- Measure your progress along the way
3. Create a plan.
After you’ve identified your goal and created smaller goals to help you achieve it, it’s time to make a plan. This plan will be your road map to success, so be sure to include specific steps you need to take to reach your destination.
When creating your plan, ask yourself these questions:
- What do I need to do to achieve my goal?
- When do I need to do it?
- How will I know if I’m on track?
- What are some potential obstacles that could get in my way?
- Who can help me achieve my goal?
Answering these questions will help you create a detailed plan of action that will increase your chances of success.
4. Take action.
No matter how great your plan is, it won’t do any good if you don’t take action. So get started and move towards your goal. The sooner you start, the better.
If you’re anything like most people, you’ve probably set goals at some point in your life, only to find yourself not taking action towards them. This can be frustrating and make it feel like you’ll never achieve what you set out to do.
If you’re feeling scared or apprehensive about starting something new, it’s important to remember that everyone feels this way at some point. Fear is a natural emotion that can sometimes help keep us safe from harm. However, when fear starts to hold us back from pursuing our goals, it’s time to take action.
Here are some tips for overcoming fear and getting started on your goals:
- Acknowledge your fears. Recognizing that you’re feeling scared is the first step to managing these emotions. Once you acknowledge your fears, you can start to address them.
- Identify your triggers. What is it about starting something new that makes you feel scared? Is it the unknown, the possibility of failure, or something else? Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to work on addressing them.
- Challenge your beliefs. Are your fears based on reality or are they just negative thoughts? Challenging your beliefs can help you to see that your fears may not be as valid as you think.
- Take small steps. Noticing a pattern here? That’s because trying to tackle your goals (and fears) all at once can be overwhelming. Small, manageable steps will make them seem less daunting and will help you to build momentum.
- Seek support. Talk to a friend, family member, or coach about your fears. Getting support from others can help you to feel less alone and can give you some helpful perspective.
- Practice self-care. Taking care of yourself is important when you’re trying to overcome any obstacle, including fear. Make sure to schedule in time for relaxation, exercise, and healthy eating. This will help to reduce stress and will give you the energy you need to keep moving forward.
Overcoming fear is never easy, but it’s important to remember that you are capable of doing great things.
5. Stay focused and motivated.
The journey to achieving your goal won’t be easy. There will be obstacles and challenges along the way. But if you stay focused on your destination and remain motivated, you’ll eventually reach your goal. Just remember, anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
Here are some tips for staying focused and motivated during challenges:
- Believe in yourself and have your own back
- Break your goal down into even smaller steps
- Find a role model or mentor for inspiration
- Reward yourself for making progress
- Feel your feelings, but don’t get stuck in them
- Remember that obstacles are a part of the process
- Notice any stories that come up and set them aside
So define your goals, break them down into smaller pieces, create a plan, take action, and stay focused and motivated. With hard work and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
And remember: things are always impossible until they’re not.
If someone tells you that you can’t do something, don’t believe them. Defy the odds and do the impossible.
One of the biggest challenges we face in achieving our goals is staying motivated. It’s easy to get discouraged when things seem impossible, but it’s important to remember that nothing is ever truly impossible. With enough dedication and perseverance, anything can be accomplished.
There are many examples of individuals who have done things that others said were impossible. Here are just a handful:
- 17-year-old American swimmer Michael Phelps became the first person to win eight gold medals in a single Olympic Games. Phelps’s record-breaking performance was all the more amazing because he was born with a condition that can cause difficulty breathing and joint problems.
- J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 different publishers before finally finding success with her Harry Potter series.
The Beatles were told they would never make it in America – but they went on to become one of the most popular bands in history. - Walt Disney was fired from his job as a newspaper editor because his boss said he lacked imagination. He went on to create some of the most popular animated films of all time.
I’ve personally done plenty of things that felt impossible to me, like:
- 5x my income—going from roughly $30k to over $150k in less than one year.
- Manifest the perfect “Rig” (a low-mileage, affordable 4Runner) for camping and adventures, and move to a little mountain town that I love, despite my lease.
- Attract clients I adore who have missions that align with mine, are willing to pay me what I’m worth, and are happy to work in the ways that best suit me.
- Publish a memoir that hit #1 New Release in FIVE categories and is helping so many souls begin to heal.
- Take back my health and heal from sudden loss and PTSD, along with adrenal fatigue, dysphagia, and severe back and hip pain caused by trauma and abuse.
- Call in an incredible community of friends, mentors, entrepreneurial partners, coaches, guides, and healers as I needed them throughout my journey (even when I “didn’t have the money” to afford them).
- Attract phenomenal opportunities for exposure, visibility, and impact with our work, without hustling, pushing, or even doing anything other than being me.
- Cultivate a strong sense of self and truly unshakable joy—I know who I am and the work I’m here to do, and every day feels like a gift (which is quite a contrast to younger me who felt like she didn’t belong or fit in!)
So, if you’re feeling discouraged, remember that you too can achieve your goals, no matter how impossible they may seem. Just keep moving forward and don’t give up.
If you need support, I developed a whole process around using a specific type of goal-setting to uncover and start living our purpose. I’ve packaged it into an affordable workbook that you can have in your hands in a matter of days!
