Have you ever considered setting a goal and then talked yourself out of it because you did not think it was achievable? How about working towards something that seems impossible?

Let me illustrate this through a recent experience. I have a friend, who is heavily into cycling and he got me into it last year. I was able to purchase the gravel bike I wanted, a Specialized Diverge in July, 2022. Since then I’ve been accumulating the required gear and attire and knowledge to become an avid cyclist but I am far from there. Before this past weekend, the longest ride I had done is 70 km, which was last September, which completely wiped out. I have not done anything close to this since then.

A month ago, my cycling friend suggested that we do a cycle packing trip from Hamilton to Turkey Point. Cycle packing is when you carry all of your gear on your bike using a rear rack and pannier bags, as well as other frame attachments. Now, the total distance of this trip is 180 km, which to me, at that time, seemed impossible at the stage of my cycling journey and my level of fitness. However, something deep inside of me yearned to do this and not wait till I’m ready so I committed. We completed this cycling trip this past weekend over two days and camped at a provincial park at our destination.

Now to get back to my original point, I set a goal, which I thought would be impossible for me, committed to it and completed it! Now, this does not mean that it was not gruelling at times and I was not cursing my friend but the point I am trying to make is that you need to set and work towards impossible goals. If you only work towards goals that you think you can achieve, you will never realize what your true potential is.

I now know that I am capable of cycling distances that I did not think that I was ready for and this is with my bike loaded with bags and gear. Imagine what I can do on just a day ride? You need to ask yourself what is your impossible goal? Is there something that you really want that you don’t think you can achieve? The only thing that is stopping you is your own mind and all that stands in the way of achieving your goal is a making a choice to pursue it and committing to it.

Now, does this guarantee that you won’t fall short in reaching your goal? Of course not, but this is not the point. The point is that when you set out to achieve impossible goals, you will learn so much about yourself and what you are capable of regardless of whether you reach your destination or not.

Now you need to ask yourself, what is your impossible goal and what is keeping you from making the decision to set out on its path?

Dr. Nauman Naeem