"It is always seems impossible until it's done."
“It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done”: Turning Doubt into Triumph
Every life-changing breakthrough—from the first flight at Kitty Hawk to moon landings, from inventing smartphones to conquering personal fears—has one thing in common: at some point, someone believed it was possible. Nelson Mandela captured this truth when he said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” In those words lies a roadmap for overcoming doubt, embracing action, and celebrating the moment that transforms the impossible into history.
1. The Weight of “Impossible” and the Spark of Hope
When we gaze at a towering challenge—publishing a book, starting a company, healing after loss—it’s natural to feel daunted. Our minds whisper:
- “What if I fail?”
- “Who am I to try this?”
- “Maybe it’s just beyond my reach.”
That inner critic thrives before any single step is taken. But the moment someone decides to act—sketching an outline, pitching a prototype, booking that therapy session—the impossible begins to unravel. Action shrinks the mountain by chipping away at its base, one determined stroke at a time.
2. Lessons from Legends: When History Flipped “No” into “Yes”
2.1 Wright Brothers and the First Flight
Orville and Wilbur Wright faced ridicule when they chased human flight. Critics claimed heavier-than-air machines would “never” soar. Undeterred, the brothers iterated wing designs in a bicycle shop, tested gliders on the dunes of Kitty Hawk, and celebrated their first 12-second, 120-foot flight in 1903. That modest hop redefined transportation and proved that even 12 seconds of success can change the world.
2.2 Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom
When Mandela was imprisoned for fighting apartheid, freedom looked impossible. Yet each letter he penned, each mind he changed among comrades, inched him closer to a vision of equality. After 27 years behind bars, he emerged not with vengeance but with the presidency of a unified South Africa. His journey reminds us that persistence—grounded in purpose—can turn decades of injustice into a fresh start for millions.
2.3 Malala Yousafzai’s Fight for Education
Shot for speaking out about girls’ education, Malala’s survival and ongoing advocacy seemed improbable. But through fierce determination and global support, she turned an assault into a movement. As the youngest Nobel laureate, she showcases how a single voice, once it acts, can rewrite expectations and inspire systemic change.
3. Everyday “Impossible” Achievements
While history applauds famous heroes, each of us navigates our own mountains:
3.1 Running Your First Marathon
Crossing the 26.2-mile finish line feels impossible when you lace up your shoes for the first time. Many runners begin by jogging just one mile. Over weeks, they inch forward—adding a mile here, stretching their limits there—until that grand day arrives. When they collapse under the confetti, breath ragged and heart soaring, they know: the marathon that once terrified them now sits squarely in their past.
3.2 Writing and Publishing a Book
Authors often start with a blank page and a dream of seeing their name in print. The “impossible” whispers: “No one will read it,” or “You’ll never land an agent.” But by drafting 200 words a day, seeking feedback in a writing group, and submitting to publishers or self-publishing platforms, countless first-time writers transform that emptiness into chapters that resonate with readers around the globe.
3.3 Launching a Side Hustle
You might be working a full-time job yet secretly yearn to open an online store, blog about travel, or tutor students. The hurdles—time constraints, tech learning curves, self-doubt—can feel insurmountable. But one email to a mentor, one weekend spent building a simple website, one social post to share your expertise: those small steps light the fuse of momentum that bursts the “impossible” bubble.
4. Why Action Trumps Intimidation
Our brains are built to conserve energy and avoid risk. When confronted with a big goal, they default to fear:
- They overestimate the effort required.
- They catastrophize potential setbacks.
- They fixate on perfection, postponing any start.
Yet science shows a simple antidote: do something. Even imperfect action rewires neural pathways, reinforces confidence, and generates new data. Each micro-win—sending that email, writing that paragraph, dialing that coach—delivers a shot of dopamine. This “reward hormone” not only feels good, it circuits your brain toward further effort, dissolving the illusion that the task is too difficult.
5. Five Strategies to Make the “Impossible” Tangible
Break It Down
Don’t aim for a polished app overnight. List out three immediate tasks: research competitors, draft a homepage, or sketch a logo concept. Each completed task chips away at the mountain.Embrace the “Two-Minute Rule”
Inspired by James Clear, start with two-minute versions of your goal. Want to write a novel? Jot a single sentence. Learn a language? Memorize one word. Often, those two minutes stretch into 20, making momentum the driver.Visualize the Moment of Completion
Spend 60 seconds each morning imagining the day you declare, “It’s done.” Feel the relief, pride, and celebration. This vivid “future memory” motivates your present self to bridge the gap.Seek Accountability
Tell a friend, mentor, or online community about your target. Scheduled check-ins—weekly, biweekly—create gentle pressure and encouragement that nudge you forward.Learn and Iterate
View each setback not as a brick wall but as a compass. If a marketing email doesn’t convert, analyze open rates, tweak your subject line, and send again. Each iteration strengthens both your tactics and your belief in progress.
6. Celebrating “Done” and Igniting the Next Dream
Reaching a goal—no matter how large or small—deserves recognition:
- Treat yourself to something meaningful (a dinner out, a long hike, a handwritten thank-you note to your supporters).
- Document the journey: journal your challenges, victories, and “aha” moments.
- Share your story. Inspiring others cements your achievement in both your memory and the community’s.
Those reflections prepare you for your next “impossible.” Because each completed milestone rewires your baseline for what’s possible, transforming once-unthinkable dreams into the stepping stones of your next ascent.
Turn “Impossible” into “I’m Possible”
Nelson Mandela’s insight holds a timeless invitation: when a goal feels impossible, don’t turn away—move toward it. Start with imperfect steps, learn from each stumble, and let every small victory light your path. Before long, you’ll look back and realize the word impossible was nothing more than a challenge waiting to be done.
So today, pick one “impossible” thing. Write it down. Break it into tiny tasks. Take the first step. And remember: the moment you act, impossibility begins its retreat—and triumph takes its place.