This book is intended for committed people who are willing to pay the price. It’s for those who are more interested in making an impact than in being admired or famous. It’s for those whose desire to help is stronger than their desire to be right and for those whose actions speak louder than their words. As Henry Ford said, “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”
Many people have good intentions and lofty aspirations. But, in the end, all that matters is the impact your actions actually make. The truth is, making a genuine impact is tough. Really tough.
And even if you were to impact millions of people’s lives, in the grand scheme of things, it might not make much of a difference. So why even bother? Why try to do impossible things and become extraordinary?
Introduction:
In Do the Impossible: How to Become Extraordinary and Impact the World at Scale, Jason Drees offers readers an empowering guide to unlocking their fullest potential and achieving seemingly impossible feats. Drawing on years of experience as a performance coach, Drees introduces a transformative framework designed to help individuals shatter self-imposed limitations and think on a grander scale. By blending mindset techniques, practical tools, and real-life examples, the book lays out a pathway to becoming extraordinary and making a lasting impact on the world.
The overarching premise of the book is that the main barrier standing between an individual and their goals is often their own belief system. Most people operate with a limited sense of what they can achieve, constrained by societal norms and personal doubts. Drees emphasizes the importance of reframing one’s thoughts and adopting a mindset of limitless possibility. He contends that by doing so, individuals can transcend conventional success and aim for greatness.
Chapter 1: The Power of Mindset and Framing
The first chapter introduces the concept of framing, a term Drees uses to describe how individuals view their circumstances and goals. He explains that the way a person frames their life and their potential is fundamental to their success. Often, people unknowingly adopt negative or restrictive frames, seeing obstacles as insurmountable or accepting their current reality as permanent. However, Drees argues that by consciously choosing empowering frames, one can begin to perceive opportunities where others see limitations.
Drees shares several personal anecdotes to illustrate the power of framing. One notable example is when he decided to transform his life from a struggling entrepreneur to a sought-after coach by shifting his frame from “I hope I can succeed” to “I will succeed.” This seemingly simple shift had profound effects, both in his personal motivation and in the opportunities that began to present themselves.
Key Lesson: Your mindset is the foundation of your reality. To achieve extraordinary results, you must adopt a mindset that aligns with your highest ambitions and possibilities. By reframing your thoughts, you change your reality.
Chapter 2: Aligning with Universal Laws
In the second chapter, Drees delves into the concept of alignment with universal laws and principles. He discusses the notion that the universe operates according to certain laws—such as the law of attraction, the law of cause and effect, and the law of resonance. He explains that by understanding these principles and aligning one’s thoughts, actions, and energy with them, a person can create more significant results with less effort.
Drees places particular emphasis on the law of attraction and how it can be harnessed to achieve extraordinary goals. He notes that success is not purely a matter of hard work; rather, it is about being in alignment with the desired outcome. This means that an individual must feel, think, and act in accordance with their goals, allowing the universe to conspire in their favor.
Key Lesson: Rather than fighting against the flow of life, align yourself with the universal laws that govern reality. When your thoughts, energy, and actions are in harmony, success becomes inevitable.
Chapter 3: The Impossible Mindset
Drees introduces the concept of the Impossible Mindset, which is the key to achieving feats that seem unattainable. He encourages readers to set goals that feel impossible at first glance, as this is where true growth and transformation occur. The Impossible Mindset involves embracing discomfort, pushing beyond one’s current capabilities, and refusing to accept limitations.
In this chapter, Drees also outlines the importance of setting bold, audacious goals that challenge the status quo. He argues that by setting “impossible” goals, individuals tap into their creative potential and resourcefulness in ways they never would if they set merely achievable objectives.
Through practical exercises and visualizations, Drees helps readers stretch their thinking. He guides them in breaking down their impossible goals into manageable steps, allowing them to make consistent progress while maintaining the mindset of boundless possibility.
Key Lesson: Adopt an Impossible Mindset by setting goals that challenge your perceived limitations. When you aim for the impossible, you unlock levels of potential and creativity that you never knew existed.
Chapter 4: Overcoming Fear and Resistance
A critical aspect of doing the impossible is learning how to overcome the inevitable fear and resistance that comes with pursuing extraordinary goals. Drees acknowledges that fear is a natural part of the process, but he offers strategies for managing and transcending it. He explains that fear often arises when individuals step outside of their comfort zones, but this discomfort is a necessary part of growth.
Drees outlines a method he calls Embrace the Fear, which encourages readers to move toward fear instead of avoiding it. He suggests that fear often holds the key to one’s greatest potential and that by confronting it head-on, individuals can unlock new levels of personal power and confidence.
In this chapter, Drees also discusses the concept of resistance—the inner forces that seek to keep individuals in their current state. He identifies procrastination, self-doubt, and perfectionism as common forms of resistance, offering tools to overcome them.
Key Lesson: Fear and resistance are natural parts of the journey toward greatness. Rather than avoiding them, learn to embrace them as opportunities for growth and transformation.
Chapter 5: Mastering Your Inner World
The fifth chapter focuses on mastering the inner world of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. Drees explains that true mastery of the external world begins with mastery of the inner self. He introduces various techniques for cultivating a strong, resilient mindset that can withstand challenges and setbacks.
One of the primary tools Drees recommends is mindfulness meditation, which helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions. By practicing mindfulness, readers can develop greater self-awareness and control over their reactions, allowing them to stay focused on their goals even in the face of adversity.
Drees also discusses the importance of self-compassion and the need to develop a supportive internal dialogue. He emphasizes that individuals must be their own greatest advocates, particularly when pursuing ambitious goals that may take time to achieve.
Key Lesson: Master your inner world by developing self-awareness, practicing mindfulness, and cultivating a supportive internal dialogue. The more you can control your thoughts and emotions, the more powerfully you can pursue your goals.
Chapter 6: Leveraging the Power of Habits
In this chapter, Drees explains how small, consistent habits can lead to extraordinary results over time. He argues that while massive action is necessary to achieve impossible goals, the foundation of that action lies in the daily habits and routines that shape one’s life.
Drees introduces the concept of habit stacking, a method of building powerful routines by linking new habits to existing ones. By doing this, individuals can create a chain of positive behaviors that lead them closer to their goals each day.
He also emphasizes the importance of consistency, noting that even small actions, when done regularly, can compound into significant results. Drees provides practical tips for developing and maintaining habits that align with one’s impossible goals, such as setting clear intentions, using accountability, and tracking progress.
Key Lesson: Success is built on the foundation of consistent, positive habits. By creating daily routines that align with your goals, you can make steady progress toward the extraordinary.
Chapter 7: Expanding Your Circle of Influence
One of the key themes in Do the Impossible is the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people. In this chapter, Drees explains that individuals are heavily influenced by the people they spend the most time with, and that expanding one’s circle of influence is crucial for achieving extraordinary success.
Drees recommends actively seeking out mentors, coaches, and peers who embody the qualities and achievements you aspire to. By connecting with individuals who have already achieved what you want, you can gain valuable insights, shortcuts, and inspiration.
He also stresses the importance of being mindful of negative influences. Drees encourages readers to distance themselves from people who are not aligned with their goals or who foster negativity, as these relationships can hold them back from achieving greatness.
Key Lesson: Your environment plays a critical role in your success. Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you, and minimize your exposure to negative influences.
Chapter 8: Scaling Your Impact
As the book progresses, Drees shifts focus to the concept of scale. In this chapter, he explains that once individuals have achieved personal success, the next step is to expand their impact to a larger audience or cause. He introduces the idea of leveraging systems to multiply one’s efforts and create change on a global scale.
Drees emphasizes the role of technology, social media, and networks in scaling one’s impact. He provides examples of individuals and organizations that have used these tools to reach millions of people and make a meaningful difference in the world.
He also discusses the importance of having a clear vision and mission when scaling impact. Drees encourages readers to think about the legacy they want to leave and to align their efforts with a larger purpose that goes beyond personal achievement.
Key Lesson: Once you have achieved personal success, focus on scaling your impact to create positive change in the world. Leverage systems, technology, and networks to reach a larger audience and make a lasting difference.
Conclusion: The Path to the Extraordinary
In the final chapter, Drees summarizes the key principles of Do the Impossible and encourages readers to take bold action toward their extraordinary goals. He reminds readers that while the journey to greatness may be challenging, the rewards are immeasurable. By adopting the right mindset, overcoming fear, and consistently taking action, anyone can achieve the impossible.
Drees leaves readers with a powerful call to action: to stop settling for mediocrity and to start thinking and acting on a grander scale. He challenges readers to become leaders in their own lives and to inspire others to do the same
