Impossible is Just a Word... | Neha Karthikeyan | TEDxTIPS Salem Youth

Key Concepts

• Challenging Perceptions of "Impossible": The core idea is that "impossible" is often a subjective opinion rather than an objective fact, and individuals can overcome perceived limitations.
• Mindset as a Barrier: The video argues that the primary obstacle to achieving difficult tasks is often one's own mindset, not the inherent impossibility of the task itself.
• The Power of "Maybe" and "Why Not": Shifting from an "impossible" mindset to one of "maybe" or "why not" is presented as the catalyst for innovation and achievement.
• Learning from Examples: Historical figures and personal anecdotes are used to illustrate how seemingly impossible feats were accomplished through perseverance and a willingness to try.
• "Impossible" as a Dare: The concept of "impossible" is reframed as a challenge or a dare, encouraging individuals to push boundaries.

The Subjectivity of "Impossible"

The video begins by questioning the impact of being told something is "impossible." It suggests that such pronouncements can alter one's perspective to align with the speaker's limitations. The speaker, Nhakaran, emphasizes that just because someone else couldn't achieve something doesn't mean it's impossible for you. She dismisses cliché motivational advice, advocating for "real advice."

Reframing "Impossible"

Nhakaran defines "impossible" from another person's perspective as a statement of their belief that something cannot be done. Her suggested response is to disregard this opinion and proceed with the endeavor. She also addresses the internal voice that labels things as impossible, advising to "slap yourself and try anyway" because opportunities to try new things are rare.

Personal Anecdote: Magical Hair

As a 5-year-old, Nhakaran disliked her short hair and asked her mother to make it longer. When her mother said it was impossible, Nhakaran decided to do it herself. Using her "5-year-old logic," she put her sister's skirt on her head and declared she had long hair. Although her mother was horrified and prevented her from going to school with this "solution," Nhakaran felt she had "made the impossible possible somewhat."

Historical Case Study: The Wright Brothers

The video highlights the Wright brothers as an example of overcoming perceived impossibility. When they began their work on flight, people considered their idea "ridiculous" and "crazy," as humans flying like birds seemed comedic. However, the Wright brothers did not back down. Instead of seeing "impossible," they saw "maybe." This "maybe" is credited with leading to the invention of planes, evolving from their "small rickety plane in 1903" to a "greatest invention."

The Mindset Barrier

Nhakaran asserts that most people have been stopped by the word "impossible" at least once. She argues that when "impossible" enters our minds, we often give up before trying, convincing ourselves the task is "too hard." The crucial point is that "it's not the task that's impossible. It's our mindset that tells it it is." The video questions how many dreams, ideas, or plans have been "quietly buried" due to perceived unachievability, suggesting that often, it's an internal "no" rather than an external one. The comfort of playing it safe and avoiding failure can lead to forgetting the experience of trying.

The Power of "Why Not"

The video posits that most things are not inherently impossible; we simply don't get the chance to find out. Every dream, idea, and invention began as something people found "ridiculous." The turning point is when "someone somewhere along the way decide to try anyway." This "why not" attitude is what drives change.

Historical Case Study: Alexander Graham Bell and the Telephone

The example of the telephone illustrates this point. In the 1800s, the idea of talking to someone miles away would have sounded "crazy." However, in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented a device to transmit speech by electricity. On March 10, 1876, he famously said, "Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you," and his assistant heard him. What once seemed impossible became commonplace, leading to video calls, voice chats, and texting across continents.

Conclusion: "Impossible" as an Opinion

The video concludes that "impossible" is an "unreliable opinion, not a fact." We should treat such opinions by discarding them. Each time we label something as impossible, we create a limit in our minds. Conversely, each time we dare to try, we push that limit further. The Wright brothers flew, Bell connected voices, Nhakaran achieved "magical hair," and the implication is that the viewer can achieve something unprecedented. The truth is that "impossible only stays impossible until someone like you decides isn't." "Impossible isn't a wall, it's a dare." The video ends with the statement that "impossible spells I'm impossible."