How to Make the Impossible, Possible
How to make the impossible, possible
Here is an interesting fact: People will only attempt what they think is possible.
Therefore, a person's results are constrained by the limits of their thoughts.
Your level of achievement is shaped by your dominant thoughts.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
You've got to think high, to rise.
You've got to think well of yourself, before you can ever win a prize.
Top prizes don't always go to the smartest woman or man,
But sooner or later, the ones that win, are those who think they can.
Here is the rule to remember:
Thoughts affect feelings, feelings affect actions and actions create results.
The principle idea that "thought affects the final outcome" has been well-documented, and is a part of our everyday, common experience.
The idea that "thought affects final outcome" is often called, "the self-fulfilling prophecy" and is the principle that explains the placebo effect.
The placebo effect is when patients are prescribed an inert agent, but they are told and they believe, that they are receiving a therapeutic agent; then, to the degree to which they believe the agent will help, their reported results are consistent with that belief.
The placebo effect has been measured in thousands of medical experiments, and many doctors admit to regularly prescribing placebos.
Leaders can act as Placebo Agents, thus making the "impossible", possible.
One of your roles as a leader, is to change the final result, by affecting the thoughts of others.
Leaders affect the minds of their followers, in a similar way to how a placebo, affects the minds of patients. They affect minds, by introducing new ideas and visions of a better future. These new ideas (thoughts), change the way that people process information and therefore how they react to their environment.
Leaders, influence the minds of followers, in order to produce positive beliefs, systems and thus change actions, that change results.
If a leader can change the actions of the majority, then the leader can change the course of progress.
Why not give it a try?
Definition: self-fulfilling prophecy
In business leadership, the self-fulfilling prophecy is a principle that starts with a belief about a future result. The belief shapes thoughts and feelings, guides behaviour that matches the belief, brings about the expected outcome, and then confirms the belief. If any step is missing, the prophecy does not work.
Show CG4D Definition
- Starts with a definite belief or expectation about a future result
- Belief changes the thinker’s feelings and view of events
- Shifted mindset drives actions that align with the belief
- These actions create the predicted outcome, which confirms the belief
Article Summary
Your mind sets the ceiling on your success; when you decide you can win, feelings and actions line up, and results change, so leaders who plant bold, positive thoughts in their teams act like a living placebo that turns the impossible into the possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
How do thoughts, feelings and actions connect?
What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in simple terms?
How does the placebo effect show the power of belief?
How can a leader act like a placebo agent for the team?
Why do dominant thoughts limit or lift achievement?
What small step helps change thoughts to change results?
Can positive thinking really make the impossible possible at work?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
Gallup’s 2023 State of the Global Workplace report shows that teams with high staff engagement enjoy 23% higher profit and 18% higher sales than teams with low engagement. A 2024 study in Nature Human Behaviour found that positive belief (the placebo effect) explained 49% of the pain relief felt by people in new drug trials.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Leadership and Management
-
How to Handle Unexpected Events
Learn how time management keeps unexpected events in check. Prioritise by value, deadline or logic, avoid multitasking, and update a plan every four hours.
Read Article > -
What are the most important leadership skills?
Discover 10 leadership skills that turn managers into inspiring leaders. Build initiative, clear communication and strategy to guide any team to success.
Read Article > -
How to Best Communicate Your Message
Discover how clear, rational and positive leadership communication cuts fear, builds confidence and lifts output. Use our steps to share a strong message.
Read Article > -
Management training - Interview technique
Learn proven interview technique to build a structured candidate selection process, spot lazy or dishonest hires and stay within UK equal opportunity law.
Read Article > -
Essential Leadership Skills
Learn six essential leadership skills-goal focus, clear talk, planning, conflict control, self-belief, motivation-and see how training lifts team results.
Read Article >
Looking for Leadership and Management Training?
If you're looking to develop your Leadership and Management Skills, you may find this Leadership and Management Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 6 days, Birmingham, places available