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Doing The Impossible: The 25 Laws for Doing The Impossible

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"What does Doing the Impossible really mean? This book is for those who have a desire to achieve greatness and are ready to take the steps to turn that desire into a reality. At one point or another in this book, you will experience several different reactions - excitement, curiosity, joy, laughter, or even tears - but the ultimate goal is to encourage and challenge you to make a decision to do the impossible. That may have a totally different meaning to you than it did to Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, or any of the other role models we will look at; but whatever Doing the Impossible means to you, the goal of this book is to help you realize that you have the capacity to do what the critics think is impossible." (Patrick Bet-David, Introduction to Doing the Impossible)

Doing the Impossible is a roadmap for those who want to do something big with their lives. The book goes over 25 steps that the listener should take to re-create themselves, identify their cause, and make history. Patrick Bet-David shares his own impossible crusade and gives key principles for anyone looking to do the same.

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First published January 16, 2011

173 people are currently reading
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About the author

Patrick Bet-David

11 books632 followers

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5 stars
384 (52%)
4 stars
201 (27%)
3 stars
111 (15%)
2 stars
27 (3%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca Livermore.
Author 29 books13 followers
March 6, 2016
We all need a good shot of encouragement on a regular basis. This book provides just that.

I found myself highlighting the things that resonated the most with me. Here are a few of my favorites:

"Part of daring to achieve the impossible is letting failure motivate you rather than discourage you."

This is important because a natural tendency that many people, myself included have is to quit when things go wrong. I like the fact that this book encouraged me to use failure in a positive way.

"Building your identity is about earning that identity. It is about doing the hard work, seeking the information, and transforming yourself from the inside out into the person you envision becoming."

I appreciate the hard work aspect that's found in this book. So often people want results without the work, and the books that promise that really do people a disservice. I'm evaluating my commitment to do the work, and feel motivated to make it happen.

"Think of your associations in terms of assets and liabilities. . . Look for people who have the qualities that you want to develop in your own self and learn from them."

Many authors/speakers encourage people to hang out with rich people if they want to be rich. While there's some truth to that, I love that Bet-David takes it a step beyond in that he looks at multiple areas of life such as faith and marriage. People can add value to our lives in many different ways, and it's important to look beyond just the financial side of things.

In addition to the inspiration that I found in this book, I also appreciated the action steps at the end of the chapters. Readers that take the time to do the action steps will have a better chance of internalizing the truths found in this powerful little book.
Profile Image for KnowledgeSpecter.
133 reviews
December 27, 2020
What an amazing book this is. Short excerpts for every law (inspired by Robert Greene’s books) on how to recreate oneself, identifying ones cause and making history. Patrick really breaks it down in a simple way and I felt the weight behind every word. One of the best books I’ve ever read on personal development. I truly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about changing their life and don’t know where to start.
Profile Image for Ronak.
254 reviews125 followers
October 27, 2018
A small and short self help book.

It's one of the great book I came across.

I'm the who can finish the books in one day. But in this book the assignment after every chapter is worth doing.

If you want inspiration in short time you should definitely go for this book
1 review
July 31, 2017
To summarize what this book left me is this, my first book review ever.

I found it very pragmatic and with several resources to deep into its concepts. For instance, thanks to the links to Patrick's videos, I knew book club's exists. I am 41 years old, defining as my hobby reading and I am surprised I did not know this resource exists.

I would add this book as a must read to all who desire to build an identity. I really enjoyed it. It satisfied my love for learning.
Profile Image for Maksim.
16 reviews
February 26, 2016
Simple and powerful. One of the best book on self development. It calls to action and explain simple how to find your "why's", the element so important for daily motivation. And it gives few practical exercises. I'm glad I have found out about this book, and would recommend to everyone set on the track of self improvement and goals achievement. Enjoy, and do the impossible!
Profile Image for Farah.
9 reviews3 followers
December 27, 2018
I finished this book in one day , I really enjoyed it since all the 25 laws are part of my new life that I decided to change last July.
I highly recommend to read this book and do the impossible in life !
Profile Image for Miruna Direa.
74 reviews5 followers
December 23, 2019
“Viața a fost dură cu tine, însă poate asta s-a întâmplat pentru că Dumnezeu îți pregătește ceva cu adevărat special și încearcă să te facă mai puternic.”
“(...) dar ce este mai dureros decât să-ți trăiești toată viața sub povara nesiguranței a ceea ce ar fi putut să fie?”
2 reviews
May 16, 2024
Amist read book for every one who's procrastinating and not believing in them self
And each law is better than the first
Profile Image for Anda.
61 reviews
April 4, 2022
prima carte de acest gen pe care am dus o până la capăt 😆
e foarte interesanta!!😊
Profile Image for Kit.
52 reviews15 followers
November 15, 2017
A great book to reinvent yourself. And take your journey to the next level, above and beyond what limiting thoughts or paradigms would have allowed you in the past. If you're not familiar with many of the concepts in this book, there will be a "before" and an "after", it's a given.

The mindset of success is exposed clearly through 25 "laws" or principles, although I would recommend other reads to complement them. There are many eye-opening quotes from famous people throughout the book.

I would have liked more discussion about some points at times, but Patrick Bet-David produced a lot of content (notably YouTube videos on his Valuetainment channel) that will serve as great complements. I've yet to watch all recommended videos in this book (there are several at the end of each chapter), they are very motivational as well.

Overall a great read!
Profile Image for John Meagher.
Author 2 books6 followers
April 21, 2020
This one is perfect for anyone stuck in a slump. He takes influence from a number of other great books and sticks all the key points in one short and easy to read summary. Continual learning and growth are crucial. You have to stay curious- ask questions, read new books, and don't lose your childhood imagination to envision what could be possible. Life is too short, don't hesitate and live with the regret. Challenge your beliefs and see if they hold up. Keep track of how your time is being spent. What are some bad habits you can change and good habits you can build upon? There also needs to be a clear picture of what your goals are. We're all trying to figure out what we want out of life, but this book might actually help guide you there. Look at all of life's hardships as a test of your mettle and chance to prove yourself.
Profile Image for Janelle Año.
26 reviews13 followers
October 7, 2019
Read this for our office book club a few months ago.

The book itself: a lot of fluff, mostly motherhood statements that's supposed to be inspirational. There are some appalling, just scientifically incorrect stuff like how getting the appropriate amount of sleep makes you sluggish and how you should work through sickness. And then the self-serving stuff, like the author's endorsement of Amway. (The author has his own MLM company--so of course, he'd endorse other MLMs)

Most of the non-readers at work enjoyed this, though, so maybe this can be a good choice for reluctant readers. But personally, I'd pass.
Profile Image for Kevin Eikenberry.
Author 25 books29 followers
October 28, 2020
I’m not exactly sure how this book ended up in my Amazon shopping cart and then in a box on my desk. I don’t know nor had never heard of the author and don’t remember someone referring it to me. All I know is it showed up and I’m glad it did.

I started reading the book and then I wanted to know more about the author. His brief bio in the back of the book makes the book more compelling.

- See more at: http://blog.kevineikenberry.com/leade...
Profile Image for Laura Nelson.
75 reviews3 followers
July 4, 2013
This was standard reiteration of going after your goals, peppered with quotes and anecdotes from renowned people who did the impossible (or changed our world as we know it anyway). I would recommend this if you feel in a bit of a rut and need a quick read to motivate and inspire. The action items at the end of each chapter offer reflection which was useful. I do think it is odd that the author added quite a few of his own quotes within the text. Nothing like citing oneself in an essay....
Profile Image for Thomas Rineer.
6 reviews
March 11, 2024
Was okay. Steps were pretty basic and briefly explained. Chapters were short and half were composed of quotes and references to big names who can relate to the topic at hand.

Pros: the workshop was alright and kept me engaged. The questions could have been more in depth but they had their perks.

Also not necessarily sure off the top of my head what I actually took away from the book so that’s not a great sign.
Profile Image for Jitesh Bhatia.
4 reviews
April 2, 2021
I'm not a fan of rating books, definitely not of rating them low. We all see the world differently and one man's trash can be another man's treasure.

Rating a book 1 or 2 would not change my reading experience; it may just pull the average rating down enough to keep the potential learners (from the book) away.

If I do, I try to rate 3-5 (to keep a record of my relative liking, for and if I want to re-read).

I almost rated this book a 3 on the basis of a stupid feeling that it discussed clichéd ideas. I realised that view did not treat the content objectively and so had to remind myself that it could nonetheless be life changing for another reader, and so I'd rather leave (digital) footprints that are constructive rather than destructive.
157 reviews
December 21, 2023
This book challenges you to find your ultimate purpose by a process of removing what doesn’t serve you while surrounding yourself with people to help you get there. You won’t find anything flowery here! The truth is that you are your own greatest obstacle. The only way to overcome human nature is to enlist people to challenge, encourage, and teach you ways to become (and remain) your best self. You need a fire in your belly to get this done. So grab your why and obey these laws to be all you can be!
Profile Image for Ciprian Dragut.
37 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2018
Fa Imposibilul, este o carte care doreste sa deschida cititorului o noua perspectiva a viitorului. Iti ofera 25 de sfaturi/ indemnuri care sa il ajute pe cititor sa-si puna tinte inalte si sa le urmeze.
- Are capitole scurte ceea ce o face usor de citit
- Se concentreaza pe o gandire pozitiva si cum aceasta te ajuta sa-ti depasesti limitele in multe cazuri.
- Este o carte practica. La sfarsitul fiecarui capitol ai de notat cate ceva.
Merita Citita.
36 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2023
A very good self-improvement book. The best is the interactive part, where the book prompts the reader to write the things in its own life that resemble the principles outlined.

The author is not a charlatan either. He gives examples of his own life and the lives of others that back up the principles.

Served very well for me as a framework to self assess my life and where I am in the journey towards my goals.
Profile Image for Paul Bard.
988 reviews
April 26, 2025
Compare to Grant Cardone, The times 10 rule.

Imagination has wings, celebration is polite, curiosity is the garden, and gratitude is the responsibility to enlarge the spirit.

Chosenness, controversy, crusade, critics, challenges, and cherishing.

“Most people are discouraged when you tell them an 80 hour work week is a formula for success. The key is to have no distinction between living and working.”

I appreciate rating on a scale of one to 10 things like credibility and work ethic.
6 reviews
December 21, 2018
Motivating book to make changes in your life although I am not sure if the changes that I've made after reading the book are finished. I am still in evolution, still learning, still will learn, this book is definitely a brick into my personality and life but not with a huge impact as I would have expected to be.
Profile Image for David Alejandro Meave Gonzalez.
4 reviews
February 16, 2018
Truly moving!

For an quote like PBD, which is not a motivational speaker per se, this was really fulfilling and inspiring to read. It was like seeing through the experiences of PBD like I’ve been living them myself! Now it’s the time to do!!
Profile Image for George.
6 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2019
What does Doing the Impossible really mean? This book is for those who have a desire to achieve greatness and are ready to take the steps to turn that desire into a reality. Patrick Bet-David shares his own impossible crusade and gives key principles for anyone looking to do the same.
Profile Image for Giorgio.
8 reviews
January 17, 2020
Wonderfully simple and powerfully effective. I read it in a day and I’m going to read it once a month to keep me as motivated as I currently feel. Patrick is someone everyone, wherever they are, can take inspiration from.
Profile Image for Ali Bony-Kaya.
3 reviews
March 28, 2020
Very practical book on doing the impossible!!!

Just make sure to answer the questions and apply the principles. It’s a book that you revisit each year to remind yourself of how you want to achieve your goals
Profile Image for Karim.
8 reviews
June 4, 2020
Loved it. This book was so down to earth and practical. I have the audio book which I listen to going for a walk. It motivates me. I encourage everyone who needs a push to do something, to listen or read this book.
Profile Image for Oleksandr.
157 reviews2 followers
November 28, 2020
Doing the impossible

Bought this book on the same day of finishing it. Great content! Made me step back and reflect on my life journey. Authors YouTube account valuenterment has been great help in strategic thinking and very entertaining to watch.
7 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2021
Such a great book, listening to this book by the author affected me in a profound way, this book will give you courage to explore and pursue your ultimate potential. it's an eye opening book. I recommend the audio version.
Profile Image for Jimmy Ferneyhough.
156 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2023
A good book if you’re new to the Self development genre.

If you were an avid reader of this type of work, then this is just a repeat of all the principles you’ve learned before with the exact same quotes, you’ve read 100 times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

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