“So many things are possible just as long as you don’t know they’re impossible.”

I cringe every time I hear my daughters say the word “can’t.” Usually, it is something little or something they really just don’t want to do, but it really bothers me. I don’t ever want them to think they can’t do something. Accepting something as impossible is a choice. I haven’t said it in a while, but for a long time I would say, “You can’t say can’t in the Dees family.” They roll their eyes, but it is such an important life lesson. #phantomtollbooth #phantomtollboothquotes #impossible #cant #parenting #kidbooks #childrensbooks #kidbookstagram

A post shared by Jared Dees (@jareddees) on Jul 24, 2018 at 3:33am PDT

So many things are possible just as long as you don’t know they’re impossible.

Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

It was the first big track meet of my senior year of high school.

I was the anchor of the 4x400m relay.

We were tied for the lead and it was up to me to beat out a guy who was about a foot taller than me with much longer legs.

I got the baton and started out at a pace much faster than I ever had before. I trailed the guy for the first 250 meters then as we ran into the final stretch I kicked it in and gave everything I had to pass him.

I edged him out and took four seconds off my personal record. I ran much faster than I thought it was possible for me to run.

In order to accomplish the “impossible” we have to ignore the mentality of the possible.

“Can’t” is only a state of mind.

Have a vision. Set a big hairy audacious goal.

The more impossible, the better.

Now, trick yourself into thinking it is possible.

Or, better yet, don’t think about the possibility at all.

Just start working towards the goal and don’t stop until you get there.

Set aside doubts.

Ignore them.

Keep working.