It always seems impossible until it's done

Meaning: Before any achievement, it appears beyond reach; only completion reveals it was always possible.

Origin: Attributed to Nelson Mandela, capturing the spirit of perseverance against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Translations

French: Cela semble toujours impossible jusqu'à ce que ce soit accompli (literally: It always seems impossible until it is accomplished)
Spanish: Siempre parece imposible hasta que se hace (literally: It always seems impossible until it's done)
Japanese: やり遂げるまでは、いつも不可能に見える (Yaritogeru made wa, itsumo fukanō ni mieru) (literally: Until it is accomplished, it always appears impossible)

Turn your wounds into wisdom — Our deepest pains and failures can become our greatest teachers and sources of strength.
He who dares, wins — Bold action and courage are rewarded; timidity leads to missed opportunities.
A trouble shared is a trouble halved — Confiding your burdens in others reduces their emotional weight through mutual support.
Be fearful when others are greedy — Excessive optimism in markets creates dangerous bubbles; prudent investors withdraw when…
Danger past, God forgotten — When crisis ends, people abandon the gratitude and piety that desperation inspired.
Do not kill the part of you that is cringe, kill the part of you that cringes — Suppress self-consciousness rather than authenticity; judgment inhibits growth more than…

Loading the full interactive collection…