When you’re leading a business or driving a new initiative, the word impossible pops up more often than you’d expect. But as Nelson Mandela wisely said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” I’ve come to understand that tackling the “impossible” is often what defines true leadership.
Here’s how I approach seemingly insurmountable tasks and how you can, too:⤵️
➡️ Break the Big into the Small
The most overwhelming challenges become manageable once broken down. Take that “impossible” goal, and break it into smaller, achievable steps. Success often lies in chipping away bit by bit.
➡️ Leverage Your Team’s Collective Genius
No one person has all the answers. By empowering your team, you’ll be amazed at the creative solutions that emerge. Often, what seems impossible is just waiting for the right mix of perspectives.
➡️ Reframe Obstacles as Learning Curves
The hardest barriers are often where the real growth happens. When faced with obstacles, I try to reframe them as steep learning curves. What can this challenge teach us? How can it make us better?
➡️ Stay Unshakeably Focused on the ‘Why’
❕ Purpose fuels persistence. On days when it feels tough, I remind myself and my team why we started in the first place. That focus on our core purpose can shift any setback into motivation.
Here’s a question I ask myself often: What if the only thing holding us back is our own perception of what’s possible?
❕ Every “impossible” goal I’ve encountered on my journey has tested my resilience, expanded my creativity, and shaped my leadership style. I now see “impossible” as a signal to dig deeper and adapt rather than back down. – Ali Aydan
It always seems impossible until it’s done. – Nelson Mandela