By Jim Goodwin
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
"The impossible is often the untried." This thought-provoking Jim Goodwin quote about courage has resonated with people seeking to accomplish more in their lives. Many of us look at daunting challenges and quickly label them as out of reach, but the truth embedded in these words can shift how we approach our goals. The power of this quote lies in the invitation to reflect on what we truly believe is impossible—and what might simply be waiting for a first brave step. Recognizing the line between our fears and our actual limits might just change everything.
What Does This Quote Mean?
When Jim Goodwin said, "The impossible is often the untried," he captured a vital truth about how we view effort and achievement. The literal meaning is straightforward: many things we think are impossible have simply never been attempted. Instead of being genuinely unattainable, they remain so because no one has tried, or because we ourselves haven't risked reaching for them yet.
On a deeper level, this Jim Goodwin quote about courage pushes us to look at our self-imposed boundaries. It questions whether the obstacles that seem unmovable are really beyond us, or if we've just not given ourselves the chance to test them. It shows how hesitation, fear, or self-doubt can build walls that don't truly exist.
Metaphorically, the quote points to how much unrealized potential lies hidden just outside our comfort zones. The "impossible" can stand for any bold dream, skill, or task we quietly dismiss because it feels too difficult. Yet, when we or someone else finally make that first attempt, we often discover that success was within reach all along. Because of this, what truly limits us is not the task itself but our reluctance to try.
This perspective doesn't claim that everything is always possible, nor does it ask us to ignore reality. Instead, it encourages a mindset where possibilities are uncovered by action. By trying, we learn, adapt, and sometimes achieve things that once seemed far beyond us. Goodwin's words remind us that courage—the willingness to take that first step—is often what separates the ordinary from the extraordinary.
How Can You Use This Quote in Life?
1. Challenge Your Assumptions
Notice the areas where you quickly label something as impossible. Is it really outside your ability, or have you simply never given it a true shot? Whether it is learning a new skill, starting a business, or making a lifestyle change, the first step is recognizing when your own beliefs are creating artificial limits.
2. Take Action, Even if Small
You don't have to make a giant leap right away. Pick something you've been avoiding because it feels "impossible" and take one small concrete action toward it. That could mean researching what steps to take, reaching out to someone who has done it, or simply setting aside dedicated time to focus. The act of trying, even in a tiny way, moves the goal closer.
3. Reframe Failure as Progress
When you try something new and it doesn't work at first, remember the heart of this Jim Goodwin quote about courage: the act of attempting is what matters most. Every failure is proof that you are pushing your boundaries and gathering knowledge you could never get by standing still. Allow yourself to celebrate the effort and the learning, not just the outcome.
4. Support Others Who Are Trying
Recognize the courage in others who take that first step toward a difficult goal. Encouraging your friends, family, or coworkers when they embark on new challenges helps create a culture where trying is valued even more than immediate success. This support can fuel collective progress and strengthen relationships.
5. Make Trying a Habit
Much of what seems impossible is just unfamiliar. By regularly seeking out new challenges—big or small—you build up your willingness to try. Over time, this mindset can unlock opportunities you never expected. The more you make a habit of facing what intimidates you, the less often you will see anything as truly impossible.
By weaving this approach into your daily life, you actively push the boundaries of what you think you can do. Progress comes from courage and action, not from certainty or fear of failure. The Jim Goodwin quote about courage keeps you grounded in this mindset, turning dreams into steps you are willing to take.
✨ The Motivation Message
You are capable of so much more than you can imagine! Self-doubt whispers that some things are out of reach, but Goodwin's words challenge you to discover what you can really do. When you choose to try—even if you stumble—you're already defying "impossible." Remember, every big success starts as an untested idea in someone's mind. The difference is action!
You do not have to wait for perfect conditions or absolute confidence. Start where you are, with what you have. The first step is always the hardest, but it is also the one that puts your dreams in motion. You are not alone in feeling uncertain, but you will be surprised at what even a single, bold effort can create.
Give yourself permission to experiment. Try, risk, and learn! You might fall short at first—but you will have proven something to yourself that sitting on the sidelines never could. All great achievements grow from those first brave trials. Go on—take the leap. The "impossible" is waiting for you to give it a try! 🚀
About the Author
Jim Goodwin, who was born in 1910 and died in 1980, was a thoughtful writer and inspirational speaker dedicated to unlocking human potential. His background was a blend of education, psychology, and practical advocacy for personal growth. Throughout his career, Jim Goodwin delivered talks and wrote books that focused on how ordinary people could discover extraordinary courage in their everyday lives.
Goodwin's central philosophy was that most limits exist in our minds, not in the world around us. He believed that people often underestimate what they are capable of, simply because they have never taken the risk to try something new. This worldview is echoed in many of his writings and speeches, where he urged audiences to confront fear, challenge the status quo, and reach for more than what seemed safe or easy.
"The impossible is often the untried" is a perfect example of Goodwin's message: the invitation to step beyond self-imposed limits, driven by curiosity and courage. Even decades after his passing, his wisdom continues to inspire anyone ready to turn their "impossible" into a new beginning.
