36 - Change your life today with an impossible goal

I love sharing golden nuggets of information to help you live a purposeful life that you love. This week I am excited to share some concepts that I have recently learned about from a podcast featuring Dr Benjamin Hardy, an organisational psychologist and best-selling author known for his work on personal development and transformational psychology, helping individuals redefine their identities and unlock their potential.

His concepts get me super excited as they have been key to my progress and success over the years – even though I didn’t perhaps realise it at the time. The podcast is packed with ideas that not only inspire but also challenge our usual way of thinking.

Let’s take a look at a few of them here:

Reframe from the past to the future

First up is a simple reframe of an old psychology concept that “humans are driven by the past” whereas in fact through his years of research Dr. Hardy believes we are “pulled forward by the future that we are most committed to”.

Traditionally, it is often thought that our past experiences, memories, and traumas drive our behaviours and decisions in life. This belief suggests that we are largely products of our past, carrying our histories as the major influence over our present and future actions.

However, Dr. Hardy suggests a transformative shift in how we perceive our lives. He argues that rather than being anchored down by our past, we can be motivated and shaped by the future we envision. This perspective is rooted in the idea of intention and vision, something that is a fundamental concept in my coaching philosophy. By committing to a compelling vision of the future - a clear and exciting idea of who we want to become and what we want to achieve - we allow this vision to guide and pull us forward, influencing our current decisions and behaviours.

This forward-focused mindset empowers us to break free from the constraints of our past. Instead of limiting oneself based on what has been, this approach encourages us to focus on what could be, aligning daily actions with long-term goals and aspirations.

In essence, we are pulled by a future that we are deeply committed to and take deliberate steps towards the desired future rather than reacting based on past circumstances, often breaking through the things that often hold us back such as fear of failure. It’s a powerful shift in mindset that can inspire significant personal and professional progress.

Setting an impossible goal

This one I love. The concept of setting an impossible goal – which he defines as something that with your current mindset or frame of reference in life would be unachievable – then working backwards from that goal to identify a path to achieve it. This approach challenges you to think beyond your limits and encourages significant growth.

Using the example of his son who loves to play tennis, Dr. Hardy illustrates how aiming for a modest goal, like attending a local college to play, offers broad but conventional paths. However, setting an 'impossible' goal of becoming a professional tennis player narrows the focus to specific, elite opportunities, such as attending the one or two particular colleges that could support such ambitions.

This reframing helps you establish a new “floor”- a higher baseline for decisions, guiding you to pursue paths that align with your ultimate goals and decline those that don't. It realigns your current actions with your future aspirations, empowering you to say "no" to paths that don't serve your purpose.

This mindset not only stretches what you thought was possible, but also enhances resourcefulness and resilience, and encourages you to explore extraordinary possibilities.

These are two of the many insightful concepts that are spoken about and if you are interested to learn more, Dr Hardy has many highly rated and thought provoking books available. You can also pre-order his latest release Rapid Transformation: The Science of Achieving Impossible Goals on Amazon here.

Before I bring this post to a close, I challenge you to think about any thoughts you have from your past that may be holding you back. What things do you keep telling yourself about your past that define who you are today? Let’s reframe that thought – who do you want to be in the future?

Next, I want you to think of what feels like an impossible goal to you? What would you need to do to achieve it? Leave your limiting beliefs at the door – and start thinking bigger. You can achieve anything you put your mind to, with a strategy and dedication.

I totally understand that incorporating these principles into your life might seem daunting, but remember, it's all about taking one step at a time. Dr. Hardy’s insights are a reminder that we have the power to shape our own stories. So, start reimagining your narrative and step boldly into the future you’ve always dreamed of.

Your future self will thank you.

Always with love,

Elsa x