Today’s Northern Expression comes from amazing Olympian swimmer, Katie Ledecky who said in an interview: “Set goals that, when you set them, you think they’re impossible. But then every day you can work towards them, and anything is possible so keep working hard and follow your dreams.”
When I was young, in every birthday card ever, I would write: “May all your dreams come true!” I’ve advocated here on the blog to dream big and pick a path and make it yours. Katie Ledecky is the ultimate example of doing that. Her only competition is herself. When she gets in the water and starts chasing the World Record line, she’s chasing her own record! This is what each of our journeys is all about. We’re not in a race anywhere. We’re only competing against ourselves. And we can do better. We can always dream bigger and achieve more.
Go, friends! And make all your dreams come true.
Love, Maggie
P.S. You can wait to achieve greatness until the Olympics are over. I can tell you I’m doing nothing productive for the next 10 days!
Mr. SSC
So sleep deprived…. and not with waking children either, just stupid NBC programming. I also record stuff during the day and watch it when I can and catch up on what I missed — but it’s usually after the main events… So tiring…
That’s a great approach to goal setting. No sense in setting a goal that you know you can make. like when i was training for my first half marathon (also a seemingly impossible goal) Mrs. SSC suggested a 10k and I said, “But I already run more than 10k in training…” hahahaha
MaggieBanks
Oh man, I’m with you on the sleep deprivation! I love the olympics and never want them to end. On the other hand, I’m counting down until they’re over so I can sleep again!
Harmony Smith (@CMK_Harmony)
Great quote! I know our goals are pretty extreme – both escaping debt and achieving early semi-retirement, with a herd of kids! But I agree that big dreams are the best ones. With enough hard work and a little bit of luck, it’s amazing what you can accomplish.
Hope you have a great weekend up there in Alaska <3
MaggieBanks
Thanks so much , Harmony! And I agree. If you don’t dream something impossible, you’ll never actually know what you’re capable of!
Route To Retire
What a great post for a Friday! I actually like your “May all your dreams come true!” on birthday cards… I might have to steal that idea for myself! 🙂
— Jim
MaggieBanks
Yes! Let’s make it a thing! 🙂
Matt @ Optimize Your Life
Love the quote! Very fitting given her accomplishments, as well.
I also really liked Simone Biles quote:
“I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.”
The message from the Olympic champions this year seems to be to aim high, work hard, and be yourself.
MaggieBanks
That’s a great one, too! Simone is so awesome and down to earth. She kept telling people to stop hyping her up and I loved that about her.
Vicki@MakeSmarterDecisions
I love that quote! And I love watching her swim – AMAZING… Happy Weekend!
MaggieBanks
Thanks Vickie! Happy Weekend to you as well.
Jen@FrugalSteppingStones
That is excellent advice, considering most of us reading this share some pretty extreme goals. I figure that even if I only get 50% of the way there, it is still much farther than the average person will go.
MaggieBanks
EXACTLY! So we don’t make it? We’ll end up with a pretty hefty sum saved and more options than we had before!