Session Name: Make the Impossible Possible
Learning Outcomes:
 Participants will gain knowledge about how to transform a task from an overwhelming
task to a workable project.
 Participants will gain understanding of the importance of having a positive mindset,
support from others, realistic goals, and a flexible plan.
Outline:
What are some things that seem impossible?
 At age 3?
o Riding a Bike
 Now?
o Flying a plane
o Living 100% on my own without financial support from a parent
 At age 80?
o Running a marathon
What are some barriers that make these tasks in our lives today seem impossible?
 Not enough time
 No support from others
 Lack commitment
 We tell ourselves we aren’t capable of completing the task
Why at age 3 were we so willing to learn your ABC’s, to learn to read, to learn to ride a bike?
 Motivation
 Support
 What do you have to lose if you fail? (Confidence)
 Practice
What are some small steps we can take to achieve the impossible?
 Develop a change in your mindset.
o When you become determined to complete a task are you more likely to get the
job done.
o “What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a
function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about
who we are.” - Anthony Robbins
 Find a group of supporters.
o Why are people successful in school or at their trade?
 They have a group of people working towards a common goal.
 Set realistic goals.
o If you don’t set goals or desired outcomes, how will you ever know if you have
achieved anything?
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Create a plan.
o If you start on vacation without packing or without getting directions, then what
good is it to start at all?
o So… if you don’t take the time to determine all the various components
formalize a sequence you can be left falling behind and confused. This is the
point that it is hardest to retreat, find supporters, and reorganize.
Be flexible.
o Plans change. The more prepared you are the easier it will be to adjust to the
plans you have created.
Celebrate a win!
o Why is it after you
Share your support to others.
o This is where I personally have difficulty. When I complete the impossible, I am
really excited, but I easily allow myself to drift backward and not continue being
active in the task. But really, I should continue to be active so I can help other
achieve the impossible too!
Major Interactive Component (see worksheet):
 Small task that isn’t impossible (Registering for Classes)
o Develop a change in mindset.
 Think back to when you were a freshman and how nerve racking it may
have been to register for classes.
o Find a group of supporters.
 Who supported you that day?
 The faculty member that helped you register
 Fellow peers
 Upperclassman
 Family
o Set realistic goals.
 Questions to Answer
 How many hours can I take?
 What level of classes am I prepared to take on?
 What does my schedule need to look like when I add in my extra
curriculars.
 Goal: To enroll in 15 hours of 100 and 200 level classes occurring before
3:00 PM.
o Create a plan.
 Research the available classes.
 Think about a possible major.
 Know what classes you are coming to college with already.
o Be flexible.
 One of the classes you wanted is full and now you either have to go past
3:00 PM or choose a different class.
o Celebrate a win.
 Whenever you walked out of registering that first time… weren’t you
relieved?
o Share your support to others.
 Tell others, “I had a challenge with my schedule, but the faculty
person that was helping me worked everything out!”
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Large task this may seem impossible (Becoming Financially Independent)
o Develop a change in mindset.
 Believe that it is possible.
o Find a group of supporters.
 Talk to someone who is slightly older than you and now financially
independent. Where did they struggle? How did they do it?
 Talk to your parents about supporting you with guidance on how much
bills really cost?
o Set realistic goals.
 Ask yourself…
 How quickly do you want to become financially independent?
 What do you need to do in preparation for becoming financially
independent?
 Goal(s)
 To become financial independent 10 months after college
graduation.
o Create a plan.
 Determine your available income.
 Create a cost list of all bills, cost of necessities, etc.
 Compare the amount of available income to the cost of living.
 Do you need to increase your income and/or limit your spending in
certain areas?
 Will you start paying all your bills all at once or will you talk to your
parents about gradually adjusting to financial independence?
o Be flexible.
 Always have a backup plan.
 Create an emergency fund.
 Be willing to choose between cable, unlimited messaging on your phone,
and groceries.
o Celebrate a win.
 When you achieve your goal, allow yourself to add back in a cost that you
had to let go before such as coffee out once a week.
o Share your support to others.
 Remember that you asked someone else for guidance. Be available to
others and tell them what worked well and where you struggled.
Leadership Connection:
 Going back to the Student Leadership Challenge in the Bronze level, you talked about modeling
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the way, challenging the process, enabling others to act, inspiring a shared vision, and
encouraging the heart.
What you believe to be impossible may be impossible for someone else.
So after you have achieved success, it is up to you to live out the Student Leadership Challenge
so other can also achieve success too.
Bill Strickland, CEO at Manchester Bidwell Corporation (Our diverse programming
combines to create empowering educational environments for adults-in-transition as well as
urban and at-risk youth, enriching Southwestern Pennsylvania and, eventually, the world.) says
“Success is the point where your most authentic talents, passion, values, and
experiences intersect with the chance to contribute to some greater good.” - Bill
Strickland
Challenge:
 Go do the impossible.
 Share the impossible with others.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” - Nelson Mandela