If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you do?
Let’s put all reality and logic aside for a moment and dream for a little while. If you could achieve one great physical feat in your life what would it be? Would you climb Everest, ski a black slope, swim the channel or ride in the Tour de France? Nearly all of us have those little, sometimes very secret dreams, of achieving great things in life. And as we watch the Olympic Games this summer, we may even ask each other, if you could train for, compete in and win gold in any event what would it be? But I actually find it tricky to put that so called “bucket list” together because I’d love to do so many things. I’d love to win gold for my country in rowing, re-trace the footsteps of explorers such as Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton across the Antarctic and run in the Honolulu marathon.
But your dreams or “bucket list” as they are more commonly known these days, don’t have to be so unattainable. Ok, so I’m probably not going to give up work and start training to become an Olympic rower but I certainly am not too busy to join a rowing club and start enjoying the thrill that comes from doing something I love. Just because we may not be able to go the whole hog on some of our dreams doesn’t mean we can’t go half way and push ourselves physically anyway. It is better to try new things and push yourself past those invisible barriers than to always wonder how far you can go.
Get out there and get a feel or taster for what some of these great feats might feel like. I do believe you can achieve anything you put your mind to, but you also need to be realistic about how to achieve it. If you gave up work and committed yourself fully to something I have no doubt that you could achieve anything. But are you in the position to do that? Not all of us are.
So, what could you achieve if you really put your mind to it? I could run the Honolulu marathon if I really wanted to. If I started training now I could be on my way to the beautiful island of Oahu within 2 years. That’s not so far away. I’m going to be 2 years older anyway so I might as well be 2 years older with a marathon medal around my neck and that amazing feeling that I didn’t just write the list, I got out there and acted on it. Let me just point out here that I have just started a couch to 5k programme and have never ran in my life, but that doesn’t stop me from believing that with hard work, determination and the right attitude I can do it.
I’ve taken this subject to the extreme. But it’s the same principle for everything in life. Give it a go, absorb the feeling that comes with ticking off some of that to-do list and never let time or negative beliefs hold you back.
This formula for success also applies to dieting and weight loss too. If you have ever said “I’d love to look like her in a bikini” or “I’d love to wear skinny jeans”, stop dreaming and wishing, start working towards it. It may take time and effort but let me ask you this; if it takes a year does it matter? I’m going to say it again, don’t let time stop you from achieving the things you want in life, just give some of your dreams a chance to come true.
To go back to the title of this piece, what would you do if you knew you could not fail? The reason I ask “if you knew you couldn’t fail” is because we often don’t dream big because we think we will fail at it. But how do you know? Have you tried it already? You don’t know what you are capable of unless you try it.
Let me ask you this, what would you do, what’s on your bucket list?
My goal is to live in the moment - enjoy every part of my life now. It's too easy to postpone joyful experiences by endlessly saying: 'when I've lost 2 stone .... Look into the mirror each day and love what you see. Our bodies are not the enemy - we just need to love them and be kinder to them. Best thing I ever read was: If you had a best friend who needed help and encouragement to diet, what sort of advice and foods would you give to her/him. Be your own best friend each day!
Comment by MMORIARTY -
@ ROWN230658 it was on BBC. I am delighted you have a plan of action in place now. When we take action - dreams come true. Please do let me know how it goes.
Comment by JULESDUB -
Hi Jules No I didn't. Thanks for letting me know I will get it on replay tonight. PS I have just googled the timetable for my local pool ! Planning to go after work next week
Comment by BROWN230658 -
Hey BROWN230658 Did you see the programme on TV last night,? It was narrated by Steven Fry. It was all about dolphins and whales. It was amazing I just added a trip to Monkey Mia beach in Australia to my list after seeing it.
Comment by JULESDUB -
I would love to swim in the sea with dolphins. I have never been in the sea any deeper than my knees & am not a strong swimmer. So I get your point I should add a weekly swimming session at the local pool to my exercise program and get in training. The idea of being so close to these lovely creatures would certainly motivate me to work hard and get more confidence in the water.
Comment by BROWN230658 -
I'd just like to be able to walk in a clothes shop and buy something nice to wear instead of struggling to find something that fit's me, that's my dream and goal.
Comment by COTTONTAILS -