Impossible is only an opinion.

Cast you mind back to your school days, the impressionable young you.

A time in your life when much of your behaviour was moulded. We all had a place in our peer group and it proved very difficult to shake off any tag we were given. Sometimes we did literally one thing — but it stuck. Our reputation or nickname was all about that.

I know a guy who’s done very well for himself, made a real success of his life. He was called “the Judge” — no one knew why. But as nicknames go, I think its served him pretty well. Some 30 years later, he’s still called the Judge.

How did he get this nickname? None of us knew.

But at a college re-union someone asked him. And this was the answer.

He did jury service.

I kid you not. Nothing to do with wisdom, gravitas or anything like that.

He was the youngest person on a jury.

You’re probably wondering where I’m going with this!

When we were at school, if you asked anyone who was going to “be successful” you would not be short of suggestions. I don’t have a list, but what I do know, is that we all got it wrong.

We’d been “educated” to get qualifications, so they were very much the benchmark for our views on success.

I recently attended a school re-union and I think it’s fair to say that those we thought “would make it” — didn’t. And several we thought were destined for “life’s scrap heap” did.

In fact, a good friend of mine who no-one thought would amount to much has become spectacularly successful. If you’d told anyone at the time what he would go on to achieve — they’d have thought you were mad.

Impossible.

He is a good friend of mine (I was his best man), so over a glass of wine I asked him why he’d become so successful. I must confess, I did not expect much of an answer. But that’s not what I got.

Unbeknown to me (and many others), he had a plan. What we viewed as impossible was imminently possible as far as he was concerned. He went out and did it. Making himself a multi-millionaire in the process.

Impossible was our opinion. Not his.

Which brings me on to advice. Because what many would consider “impossible” is their opinion. Not fact.

When we make any major decision, we invariably seek advice.

Makes perfect sense.

Until you think about who you’re asking advice from.

If you’re having a kidney removed you’d want to speak to another kidney specialist. Make sure you’re doing the right thing. But all too often we ask someone who’s got literally no experience of what we’re looking to do. A bit like asking a dentist about fixing a car.

In your own mind, if you’ve done your homework, you’ve got a clear plan as to how you’re going to execute your project. But whoever you ask doesn’t. You talk it through with them and it’s bloody frustrating. They don’t understand.

There’s a natural tendency to say no.

It’s impossible.

Chances are you’ve asked someone you love. A person who is worried about you. They love you too. And don’t want to see you fail.

But they’re coming at the whole thing very much from their perspective. Not yours. And that’s not what you need.

To them you’re trying the impossible and they’ll do everything they can to put you off. Because they love you.

“No” may not be the right answer. It’s their opinion. Their view.

Should you ask for help?

Of course, you should. But from the right person. Ideally someone who’s already done what you’re looking to do. They can offer you real advice.

Or if you can’t find them, think about someone who’s going to provide some proper advice. Practical stuff that’s helpful.

This is not meant to be a rant, but over the Christmas period many of us have plans for the New Year. Plans we share with our nearest and dearest. All with the best intentions. But not the right results.

Don’t get me wrong. Your plan may be crazy. But it might not.

Just ask the right person and remember. If they say it’s impossible. It’s only their opinion.

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