O.K. so maybe you won’t turn mice into horses, but this isn’t a fairytale. My favorite song from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is “Impossible” when Cinderella can’t believe she is actually on her way to the ball. At this point in the story, Cinderella wants to be included, to go to the ball, maybe meet the Prince, and be like everyone else. Her step-sisters have been busy trying to figure out ways to connive the Prince into marrying them. Cinderella is trying to get to the ball, but not creating traps to make the Prince marry her. I personally believe this is partly because Cinderella doesn’t even imagine something like marrying the Prince could even exist for her.
I do like some of the more updated twists on Cinderella like the version “Ever After” with Drew Barrymore in 1998 and Camila Cabello in 2021 that show that Cinderella knows that she IS good enough on her own and doesn’t need some guy to save her. That’s why she figures marrying some Prince is unrealistic. Of course, her lack of fawning over the Prince, and her being herself in the original story, and her own self confidence in the modern versions are exactly what attract the Prince to her.
It reminds me of the mis-used phrase “Fake it, ’til you make it.” That’s what Cinderella’s step-sisters are doing, trying to manipulate the Prince into doing what they want, not what is in his own best interest. What I see is Cinderella putting on the ball gown and owning her place at the ball even though she isn’t totally comfortable in this new setting – stepping out of her comfort zone. While she is putting on a stronger exterior than she is used to, this little bit of “faking” gives her the confidence to be who she really is when she is alone with the Prince.
One of the ways that this relates to our world can be asking for what we are worth, not just what we think we can get. This is true whether you are working for someone else and seeking a raise or working for yourself and pricing your goods and services at the premium they are worth instead of the discount you are comfortable charging.
OK, so in the true side of what may not be possible, maybe you aren’t going to win a Gold Medal at the Olympics in a sport you never trained in – that’s not proof that something is impossible. It’s just not taking advantage of your own skills and resources. But just because that isn’t going to happen doesn’t mean that your business and/or personal goals are unattainable. Take cues from others who are doing what you wish to succeed at – yes, they could be male or female, just because he’s a guy doesn’t mean you can’t learn from his successes and failures and build on that.
Learning what works and what needs a little tweaking to work is an age old business method. The first time something doesn’t work isn’t the last time you ever try. We would have almost none of our modern conveniences if the people who invented them gave up after their first attempt didn’t work. That’s the basis of science, business marketing, and life. Anyone who can walk didn’t give up on walking when they took their first step and fell. We got back up and tried again. Even those with a physical disability who might not walk, find ways to physically move forward one step at a time. Same with your business. Your first ad campaign is a bust. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, and you should never run ads again. It means you have to go back to Post 6 and remind yourself to keep taking steps to move forward. Or go to Post 2 and get a mentor.
In Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother go from singing “Impossible, Impossible” to “It’s Possible, It’s Possible!” Do everything you can to make it Possible!