In the stage version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Cinderella, one of the songs has the following refrain: “Because these daft and dewy-eyed dopes keep dreaming up impossible hopes, impossible things are happening everyday.”

Here are three individuals who prove that Rodgers and Hammerstein knew what they were talking about. No–they’re not my clients (I don’t even know them. I wish I did.) but how can I not be awed and inspired by their examples? Perhaps you’ve seen their stories in the media.

First is Diana Nyad who, at age 64, set a world record by swimming from Cuba to Florida. The swim took 53 hours. 53 hours! Without a break. Without a shark cage. Without flippers. The whole idea was preposterous. She herself called it her “Xtreme Dream,” one she’d had for 35 years. She had tried and failed five previous times, but on September 2, 2013, she did it!

Then there is Ed Whitlock. In 2012, at age 80, he set a record, running the Toronto Marathon in 3 hours and 30 minutes. He’s 82 now and still tackling marathons even though the track hasn’t been without hurdles. He says, “I had a knee injury just after my 70th birthday and it took me two years to get back to where I was. That was a long tough struggle.” Hasn’t anyone told him he’s too old to even think of running a marathon?

Not to be forgotten is Olga Kotelko, a retired Canadian school teacher who, at age 93, was setting records in the Master Olympics in long-jumping and high-jumping. She’s 95 now and training for her next competition. Who ever heard of such a thing?

It’s a bit embarrassing to read about these accomplishments when I must admit that the closest I get to distance running is following my small dogs through the woods behind my home. And my most strenuous activity is stumbling into the house with four heavy grocery bags because I’m determined not to make a second trip “all the way back to the car” in my driveway. I doubt that either of those events will make me Olympic material, not that I have aspirations to become a record-breaking athlete. However, I did wonder what allowed these extraordinary people to dream up what seem like impossible goals, and then, against all odds,  meet them.

I delved into their secrets and gleaned these tidbits from their on-line interviews (although I encourage you to Google them and read or listen to the full articles): Olga Kotelko said, “I’m an optimist. I take the most hopeful view of matters.” Ed Whitlock said, “…we can still accomplish a lot if we keep active and stick with it.” Diane Nyad gave this advice, “We should never, ever give up. You are never too old to chase your dreams.”

It sounds like attitude and persistence are major factors in their successes. I would add a third factor. They don’t doubt themselves. They absolutely believe in their abilities and could “see” themselves accomplishing their goals. One of my graduate school professors once said, “You have to be able to imagine doing something in order to do it.” Do you have an “Xtreme Dream?” Whether it’s conquering trauma memories, overcoming phobias, mastering a new skill, or getting a college degree, if you truly believe you can do it, you can.

There’s a lot more to be said about these attributes and how they play out in our everyday experiences and we’ll explore that in a later post. In the meantime, here’s to all of us becoming “daft and dewy-eyed dopes” just like these amazing athletes.