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In today’s highly pressurized world, it is a common occurrence for people to set themselves seemingly impossible goals. Whether it be beginning an ambitious business venture, completing an intense workout regimen, or impressing a new boss, most of us have encountered an endeavor that seemed overwhelming and far too difficult to actually accomplish. So why do we push ourselves so hard to exceed our limitations?
Setting impossible goals is not a new activity; it is a practice that has existed for centuries. By setting ourselves ambitious goals, we are able to challenge our capabilities and take on new risks that, if successful, could benefit us greatly. The insurmountable odds that come with these types of goals provide an extra motivation to push ourselves harder, and in some cases, that challenge may be exactly what we need to find out who we are and what we are capable of. We can learn when to push ourselves and when to give up, in effect obtaining a personal triumph that may be worth more than achieving the goal itself.
Though setting an impossible goal may seem daunting in the moment, it can also be beneficial in the long run. By pushing ourselves hard, we build life-long skills and strengths, including fortitude, character, and resilience. We gain a better understanding of our own drive and will for success, and in turn gain confidence. These benefits far outweigh any obstacles that may lie in our path.
Ultimately, setting ourselves impossible goals is a highly personal decision, and one that must be taken with a certain amount of foresight. Goals should be reasonable and achievable based on our current situation and capabilities, but should also provide us with a challenge and opportunity for growth. By stretching our boundaries and fighting against the impossible, we continue to learn and grasp possibilities we thought we never would.
