you can do anything

On the twenty third of July, twenty twenty four, Tommy Trinh ran a full marathon across the City of Toronto, in a frickin minion onesie. All of this was done because of a spectacular feat of raising $10,000 for the local parkdale food bank. It reminded me of the struggles and the feats of other people who came across this spectacle, like that one time someone vowed to eat a 14 year old can of soup to raise the same amount.

These extraordinary acts of kindness and determination never fail to inspire me, prompting deep reflection on my own potential, the potential that us humans have to do anything. How do individuals reach such remarkable heights of achievement? Is there truly no limit to what we can accomplish? The resounding answer is yes - you absolutely can do anything you set your mind to. Let me share my thoughts on how to unlock this boundless potential within yourself.

The Power of Belief

Alright, folks, let's talk about the secret sauce of doing anything - it's all in your noggin! Yep, you heard it right. The first step to conquering the world (or at least your to-do list) is believing you can. It's like having a tiny cheerleader in your brain, constantly shouting, "You've got this!" Our minds are like those fancy Swiss Army knives - incredibly powerful and full of tools we didn't even know we had. So, when you start believing in yourself, it's like unlocking a treasure chest of possibilities. Who knows? You might even surprise yourself and find out you can juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle... backwards!

Doing what you love

Embracing the belief that you can do anything is crucial when pursuing your passions. Here are some strategies to reinforce this mindset:

1. Challenge limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering thoughts
2. Pursue work that ignites your passion and brings you joy
3. Cultivate relationships with supportive individuals who believe in your potential

This was mentioned by one of Tommy's principles, which is what I live by everyday:

"the easiest way to be happy in life is to do work you love with people you love" ~ Tommy Trinh

Building off of that principle and applying it to the work I do (which I love everyday), I've been able to unlock my potential and achieve my own goals and aspirations.

Embracing Failure

Failure isn't the big bad wolf of your success story; it's more like that clumsy puppy that keeps knocking things over but is too adorable to stay mad at! Every time you stumble, it's just life giving you a chance to perfect your "oops, I meant to do that" routine. Remember, even the most successful people have had their fair share of "well, that didn't go as planned" moments on their way to the top.

Consider Tommy's experience as a prime example. Despite the intense physical discomfort he undoubtedly endured, he persevered. He accepted the pain as an integral part of his journey, and together with his friends, transformed it into a catalyst for his determination.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation

The world is constantly changing, and so should you. Embrace lifelong learning and be willing to adapt your approach as needed. Stay curious, seek out new experiences, and never stop growing. Incorporate the Japanese concept of Kaizen - continuous improvement - into your daily life, making small, incremental changes that lead to significant progress over time.

And to conclude...

I'd like to share a pivotal moment from my high school days that has shaped my perspective ever since. Anxious about my prospects of getting into Waterloo Engineering, I turned to my brother for guidance. His words of wisdom has stuck with me ever since that conversation:

"Remember, the only true limits are the ones you place on yourself. You have the power to shape your destiny and achieve amazing things. So dream big, believe in yourself, and take action. You can do anything!"

And finally, to Tommy, Bello Banana.

Thanks for reading, and Godspeed.