Start with the possible, to make the impossible.

Redefining the Impossible

We love to celebrate big ideas. Disruption. Moonshots. Giant leaps.

But when you're the one staring down a challenge that feels too large, too complex, or too ambitious, all that celebration doesn't help much. It can actually make things worse.

When everything feels impossible, the most paralyzing question is: Where do I even start?

Here’s the truth: the impossible isn’t accomplished in a flash of genius. It’s achieved by doing something entirely possible—again and again—until the extraordinary becomes inevitable.

It’s a mindset shift. And it starts with five simple words: Start with the possible.

The phrase comes from Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher. His advice wasn’t mystical—it was practical. It’s the same principle that underpins habit science, lean startups, agile design, and every resilient system that works in the real world.

This article will show how starting with what you can control is the secret to achieving what you never thought possible.

The Wisdom of Starting with the Possible

“Start with what is necessary, then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Lao Tzu

This ancient quote sounds poetic, but it’s a roadmap.

It’s not about playing small. It’s about starting small—because that’s the only way big things ever happen.

This mindset helps overcome the paralysis of overthinking. Instead of planning endlessly or waiting for the perfect moment, you move forward with what you know, what you can do, and what’s in reach today.

It's a bias toward action, not abstraction.

And it's a philosophy baked into some of the most successful innovations in modern history.

Why Big Goals Often Backfire

Big goals are seductive.

We’re taught to “think big” and “shoot for the stars.” But aiming high without anchoring in action often leads to spinning wheels and stalled momentum.

Here’s why:

1. Cognitive overload.

When a goal feels overwhelmingly large, the brain doesn’t know where to begin. It shifts into avoidance mode. We procrastinate not out of laziness—but out of cognitive fatigue.

2. Abstract goals don’t generate traction.

A vision like “build the next great education platform” sounds inspiring, but it doesn’t tell you what to do next. There’s no clear first move.

3. High-stakes thinking discourages failure.

If you only aim for home runs, you won’t take swings. People avoid starting because they fear not getting it right the first time.

This is where “starting with the possible” becomes a superpower. It turns foggy ambition into clear action.

Proof That Small Starts Lead to Big Wins

History and innovation are full of success stories that began with humble, incremental steps. Let’s look at a few that prove the point.

Dropbox: A Video Before a Product

When Drew Houston had the idea for Dropbox, he didn’t build a prototype right away. He made a simple 3-minute video that looked like Dropbox worked.

He posted the video online, and thousands of people signed up.

That’s when he knew he had something. The video cost almost nothing—but it proved demand.

Start with the possible: simulate the product before building it.

The Wright Brothers: A Workshop, Not a Lab

The first manned flight wasn’t made by a government or university.

It was made by two bicycle mechanics in Ohio.

Wilbur and Orville Wright didn’t have massive funding or aviation backgrounds. What they had was relentless experimentation. They tested wings in homemade wind tunnels. They learned by iteration, not theory.

Start with the possible: test what you can in the environment you have.

SpaceX: Build Reusability, Not Rockets to Mars

Elon Musk didn’t start SpaceX by trying to colonize Mars. He started by making launch costs lower. His early goal: build a reusable rocket booster that could land itself.

It took years, crashes, and skepticism—but that small innovation enabled the long-term vision.

Start with the possible: solve the bottleneck first.

The Psychology of Progress

Starting small isn’t just strategic—it’s psychological.

1. The Zeigarnik Effect

This phenomenon says we remember incomplete tasks better than completed ones. Once you start something, your brain stays engaged with it until it’s resolved.

2. The Power of Micro-Wins

Tiny accomplishments build confidence. They reinforce identity: “I’m a person who takes action.” That identity fuels more action.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, writes:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

Big dreams are fueled by daily systems. And those systems are made of small, repeatable behaviors.

3. Action creates clarity

You can’t think your way to certainty. You have to move. Even imperfect steps teach you what works—and what doesn’t.

In short: motivation follows movement.

How to Start with the Possible

Step 1: Define the Smallest Solvable Problem

Ask: What can I do today that moves me one inch closer?

• Want to launch a podcast? Record a 2-minute voice memo.
• Want to change careers? Reach out to one person in that field.
• Want to build a platform? Sketch the homepage on paper.

Don’t design the solution. Design the start.

Step 2: Build a Loop, Not a Ladder

Traditional thinking stacks progress in steps. But modern problem-solving works better as loops—cycles of action, feedback, adjustment.

Example:

• Build → Test → Learn → Repeat

Each loop sharpens your direction. Each iteration adds insight.

Step 3: Track and Celebrate Micro-Progress

What gets measured gets managed. But what gets celebrated gets repeated.

Create small milestones and acknowledge them. Not because they’re “big” wins—but because they keep you going.

Psychologists call this “self-reinforcement.” It's one of the most effective motivators in long-term projects.

Don’t Get Stuck in the Small

There’s a risk here—and it’s real.

Some people use small steps as a hiding place. They stay in research. They refine endlessly. They never ship.

Starting small doesn’t mean staying small. You still need ambition. You still need a vision to aim toward.

Here’s how to balance it:

• Set a deadline for each phase. (e.g., “Build v1 by next Friday.”)
• Zoom out monthly. Revisit your big goal and ask: Am I closer?
• Use feedback to stretch. If your MVP works, iterate up. Don’t just polish—expand.

Small steps are a launchpad, not a living room.

Conclusion: Make the Impossible Inevitable

What feels impossible today won’t feel that way forever—if you start with what’s in front of you.

Every big success is built on thousands of micro-decisions. The Wright brothers didn’t invent aviation overnight. James Dyson built 5,127 prototypes before the vacuum that made him famous. Pixar’s first films began as short animation experiments.

So whatever vision you’re holding—start where you are.

Start with what you can touch, test, tweak.

Start with the possible.

And watch the impossible become your new normal.