I love Legally Blonde. I remember the first time I saw it at the now defunct Paradise Cinema right after 9/11. The world seemed so bleak in those days and I didn't think anything could make me smile, but Elle Woods did. From that moment on she had my heart. She never fails to make me feel better when life feels grey and sniffly.
Imagine my delight when my beloved coaching client Catriona (an amazing harmonica player, musician, teacher, crafter, all around heart filled awesome gal) told me that it's her favorite movie too!
Last week Catriona was setting out to do the impossible (she's applying for something MASSIVE) and she needed some serious inspiration. Lucky for her Elle Woods saved the day.
This week I'm going to let Elle teach you how to pull off the impossible, just like she did when she got into Harvard Law.
Sometimes there are things in life that just have to get done, not because you have to, but because you really really want to. It's easy to give up before you even start, but before you do see if Elle can't talk you into it.
What can you learn from Elle?
Relentless Optimism
Warner Huntington III: You got into Harvard Law?
Elle: What? Like, it's hard?
Elle did something very important when going after Harvard, she didn't say no to herself first. Instead of assuming it was impossible she found out how to make it possible and she got to work. Her belief in herself never wavered.
It's so easy to say no to yourself first. To look at a big goal and say that you'll never get it, so why bother trying. Be like Elle, go for it even if it's totally far fetched, and believe you can do it even if it seems crazy.
Get a Team
Elle didn't do it alone, she had her whole sorority rooting for her. If you need to pull off the impossible, don't hide in the shadows, let people know!
Your friends want to support you, they want to be able to say "I knew her when". There is nothing more exciting than cheering for the underdog and then seeing them win! Give your friends the pleasure of supporting you. You can ask for meals, help with accountability, moral support, texts of encouragement, etc... Whatever is going to get you through to the other side.
Ask for help!
Say NO
Elle knew that in order to get her LSAT score from a 143 to a 179 she was going to have to study her step class toned butt off. Even though she didn't enjoy it, she knew this meant studying when she could have been at a kegger with hot shirtless frat boys.
In order to pull off the impossible you're going to have to say no to some things, or as Marie Forleo says, "Get on the NO Train!". You can't do it all, all the time and this is especially true when you need to get something huge off the ground. Start practicing and get used to saying it. No.
A no to one thing is a yes to another, say yes to yourself.
Be Yourself
It never occurred to Elle to be anyone but herself. She wore a sparkly bikini when other's would have worn a suit. She was proud of her degree in Fashion with a major in the history of polka dots. It's what helped her to stand out among a crowd of Philosophy and English majors.
You don't need to pretend to be someone you're not to get what you want. You just have to show up 110% authentically YOU, no apologies. When you do that, people can't help but respond.
Do it From the Heart
Elle wasn't trying to get into Harvard Law to please her parents or live up to some Ivy League ideal, she was doing it for love. OK, so maybe Warner was a total jerk who didn't deserve her, but the fact that she had a motivation beyond the goal itself is key.
You need to know the why behind your impossible goal. How do you think it's going to feel when you get there? Go for the feelings, not the goal itself.
Celebrate!!
When Elle got her LSAT score back she had a huge celebration with all of the people who helped her along the way. She didn't know if she would get into Harvard Law yet, but she celebrated the fact that she achieved her goal of scoring a 179.
Remember to celebrate your accomplishments even if you're not sure of the results. The fact that you did it is reason enough to celebrate. Remember to let your helpers know you did it so they can celebrate with you.
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I'm happy to report that Catriona did in fact pull off the impossible last week and she couldn't have done it without Elle and her inspiration.
Yay Catriona!!!! (One happy coach here!)
She got a team, believed she could do it, made sacrifices, asked for help, was 100 herself and is celebrating all her hard work with a trip to the spa. She also asked her angel for help and boy did she pull through by throwing some earthly angels into her lap to refine and edit just when she needed it.
Of course she had Legally Blonde playing on repeat as she was grinding away.
I can't wait to see what comes from it, but in the meantime Catriona can glow in the satisfaction of doing something she didn't think could be done.
Is there something seemingly impossible that you want to do?
What is it?
What do you need to help you pull it off?
Or maybe you've pulled off the impossible, what made it possible?
I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below, and please pass this along to your friend who needs a little Elle Woods this week.
Take care,
Cecilia
ox
p.s. Thinking about B-School? I'd be happy to skype if you want my honest input about the good, the bad and if it's the right fit for you. I'm gathering a group of amazing peeps and I can't wait to see them all make incredible things happen.
p.p.s. If you're reading this and you're not on my list, you should really get yourself on it! I send out a fun and useful email just about every week. Just pop on over here to get on! All the cool kids are doing it!