Redefining Possible: Proven Strategies to Break Belief Barriers and Create Your New Normal
Ron Alford and Dustin Hillis
SouthwesternBooks (January 2021)
I was again reminded of Twain’s observation as I began to read this book. I agree with him that truth transcends what we assume to be possible and impossible. Throughout history, the most important creations (e.g. language) and innovations (e.g. printing press) occurred because someone realized, “That’s not impossible. It just hasn’t been done yet.”
Almost all limits are self-imposed and usually the result of several factors that include real or imagined barriers that people are unable to avoid or overcome. Henry Ford once suggested, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re probably right.”
Here’s another key point: People cannot always control what happens to them but they can control HOW they respond to what happens.
With regard to the last, Alford and Hillis pose this question: “What do Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, and Brett Favre have in common?” All have on several occasions transformed negative into positive momentum. Brett Favre played one of the best football games of his life the day after his father died, and he led his team to victory in the NFC North Division title that year. Michael Jordan was suffering from extreme flu-like symptoms in game five of the 1997 NBA Finals, and still performed one of his most significant games ever. He led his team to a win over the Utah Jazz tgo take the series, 3-2. Serena Williams suffered a life-threatening pulmonary embolism in 2011, forcing her off the tennis courts for nearly a year. She came back from her health crisis by winning her fifth singles title at Wimbledon and earning a gold medal in the singles event at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.” As indicated earlier, the “barriers” to which this book’s subtitle refers tend to be self-imposed. Breaking belief barriers requires courage as well as intent.
I agree with Yoda: “Do or do not. There is no try.” I also agree with Jack Dempsey: “Champions get up when they can’t.”
Ron Alford and Dustin Hillis wrote this book in order to share all that they have learned about how to avoid or overcome various belief barriers. They devote a separate chapter to each of seven specific strategies, all of which have been forged in the crucible of wide and deep human experience.
I presume to offer two suggestions to those who are about to read this book. First, check out all of the supplementary material in the four appendices and claim the gifts offered: “6 Redefining Possible Training Videos” and “A Business Action Planning Session with a Certified Southwestern Coach” in addition to “An Exclusive Bonus” also included.
Also, keep a lined notebook near at hand while reading the book so that you can record questions, comments, page references, etc. Yes, there is an allotment of space on the pages of the appendices to complete various exercises but a conscientious reader will require more. This approach when absorbing and digesting content will facilitate, indeed expedite frequent review of key material later.