Redefining the Impossible: The Strength of Self-Belief

One day in 1939, George Bernard Dantzig, a doctoral candidate at UC Berkeley, walked into his statistics class late and found two problems written on the board. Not knowing these were famous, unsolved problems in the field, he assumed they were just part of his homework. With no preconceived notions of their difficulty, he solved them. Weeks later, his professor told him that not only had he solved two significant problems, but his work was ready for publication. Dantzig’s beginner’s mindset, his lack of belief that these problems were "impossible," allowed him to achieve something remarkable.

This story resonates deeply with me in terms of mindset. From all directions—family, friends, colleagues, society—we receive messages about what we should do and how we should do it. It’s easy to believe that success only comes from following a certain path, but many of us face limitations, whether physical, mental, or circumstantial. Sometimes, we simply don’t fit the mold.

What if, instead of adopting limiting beliefs like "I can't because of x, y, or z," we cleared away those mental barriers and approached life with a beginner’s mindset? What if, like Dantzig, we didn’t know something was impossible, and simply believed it could be done? What if we trusted ourselves to figure things out organically, on our own terms? The results might not only surprise us but also lead to entirely new ways of doing things. Whatever we come up with would be authentic, aligned with who we truly are. After all, only we know what works best for us.

The lesson here is about the power of unshakable belief in possibilities, and the realization that we don’t have to be boxed in by how others think things should be done. As long as we operate from a place of integrity—right words, right actions—why not find our own way of getting to the goal?

For me, this mindset has been a guiding force. When people tell me I can’t do something, I take it with a grain of salt. How would they know what I’m capable of? Why should I believe them? Instead, I question everything and substantiate my own beliefs. This has allowed me to achieve so much, not by following someone else's path, but by finding my own. I make accommodations for myself, find alternative routes, and trust that I can.

Operating with a beginner’s mindset, free from others’ limiting beliefs, has opened doors I didn’t even know existed—and I believe it can for you too!