You’re stronger than you think

I’m not a very muscular guy, but I can move mountains. Or fridges that are too heavy for one person. Or a vault that weighs as much as a car.

I can do these unimaginable feats not because I’m strong, but because I lack the self awareness that tells me I can’t.

I have no fear, I’m stubborn, and I’m creative.

That vault needed to be moved across the room but nobody could lift it. I stared at it for a while and noticed I could open the door, and if I would then put all my weight on the door I could tip the vault. Then when it was tipping I could swivel it on its corner.

It may have taken me an hour to swivel it across the room, but I did it. And I know that six people stronger than me couldn’t have lifted it.

I also installed a washing machine once, in a space where it didn’t fit. Only took me eight espresso’s, a large stick – to lift part of the kitchen, and a few uninterrupted hours. Granted, when we eventually moved, we had to dismantle the entire machine as there wasn’t enough room on either side to slide a credit card.

Not knowing your own limits can be dangerous. But sometimes it’ll allow you to do things you wouldn’t think possible. Or drop a safe on your toe and regret you ever tried.

This is my introduction text for last week’s issue of our TNW Weekly update. You can read the whole newsletter here, or sign up to receive your own copy.