Act As If What You Would Accomplish Were Impossible - David A. Hume

Copy link
Act as if what you would accomplish were impossible. You will find that it is possible. — David A. H
Act as if what you would accomplish were impossible. You will find that it is possible. — David A. H
Act as if what you would accomplish were impossible. You will find that it is possible. — David A. Hume, Scotland.

Act as if what you would accomplish were impossible. You will find that it is possible. — David A. Hume, Scotland.

What lingers after this line?

Mindset of Possibility

This quote promotes a mindset that challenges the limitations we often impose on ourselves. By acting as if our goals are unattainable, we can push beyond conventional boundaries and discover new pathways to success.

Overcoming Self-Doubt

Hume's words encourage individuals to confront and overcome self-doubt. When we approach challenges with the belief that the outcome is impossible, we free ourselves from fear and open ourselves up to trying innovative approaches.

Empowerment through Action

The emphasis on 'acting as if' suggests that action plays a critical role in achievement. By taking bold steps even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can catalyze change and realize our potential.

Innovation and Creativity

When we assume that our goals are impossible, it spurs creativity and innovation. Finding new solutions and ideas often emerges from challenging the norms and pushing boundaries.

Philosophical Context

David A. Hume, an 18th-century Scottish philosopher, is known for his empiricism and skepticism. His work often revolved around human understanding and the nature of belief, and this quote reflects his philosophical approach to challenging the status quo.

One-minute reflection

What does this quote ask you to notice today?

Related Quotes

6 selected

If you are not willing to look stupid, nothing great is ever going to happen to you. — Julia Cameron

Julia Cameron

Julia Cameron’s remark begins with a hard truth: many people do not fail because they lack talent, but because they fear embarrassment. In that sense, ‘looking stupid’ becomes shorthand for being seen trying, stumbling,...

Read full interpretation →

You don't have to bully yourself out of feeling fear. You just have to move while it's still there. — Annie Wright

Annie Wright

At its core, Annie Wright’s quote challenges the common belief that courage begins only after fear has disappeared. Instead, it reframes fear as something that can accompany action rather than prevent it.

Read full interpretation →

For what matters in life is not whether we receive a round of applause; what matters is whether we have the courage to venture forth despite the uncertainty of acclaim. — Amor Towles

Amor Towles

At its core, Amor Towles shifts attention away from public approval and toward private resolve. The quote argues that a life’s value is not determined by applause—those visible signs of recognition—but by the willingness...

Read full interpretation →

You are not starting over. You're starting wiser. — Meredith Eastwood

Meredith Eastwood

At first glance, Meredith Eastwood’s line gently challenges the fear that often accompanies change. To say, “You are not starting over,” is to reject the idea that every setback erases what came before.

Read full interpretation →

Confidence doesn't mean being fearless. It means creating, even when your hands shake. — Lisa Golightly

Lisa Golightly

At first glance, Lisa Golightly’s quote overturns a common myth: that confident people move through life without fear. Instead, she presents confidence as action taken in spite of fear, not in the absence of it.

Read full interpretation →

Screw your courage to the sticking-place. — William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

At its core, Shakespeare’s line is a vivid call to steady oneself before decisive action. In Macbeth (c.

Read full interpretation →

Explore Ideas

Explore Related Topics