Photo by Malvestida Magazine on Unsplash
The commercial is voiced by Colin Kaepernick, with the words “Don’t ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they’re crazy enough.” This attitude is so important to recognize, not just for athletes but everyone in life. Don’t let anyone ever tell you can’t do something. I love everything about this commercial and here’s why you should too.
1. Never stop trying to do what you want to achieve
Never stop trying. No matter what. You have every ability to do what you set your mind out to do. But if you stop that opportunity to succeed diminishes. It doesn’t matter who you are or what the situations hold, if you have the attitude to do go achieve greatness you are already halfway there.
2. “Calling a dream crazy is NOT an insult. It’s a compliment.”
Dare yourself. When someone says you can’t, laugh at them and go prove them wrong. And when you prove them wrong, that satisfaction, that feeling inside of you, will be so much greater! You have defied the odds. You can do it.
3. Be Your Best YOU
The commercial says, “Don’t picture yourself wearing OBJ’s (Odell Beckham Jr) Jersey, picture OBJ wearing yours.” – picturing
“Don’t settle for homecoming queen, or linebacker…do both.”
“Lose 120 lbs, and become an ironman, after beating a brain tumor.”
These are all people who have made the commitment to be their best selves. So GO BE YOURS. No matter what it is. If that’s being the best athlete, then go be the best. If that’s being the best student, then go be the best. If that means being the best person you can be, then go be the best. It doesn’t matter what “it” is, just go be the best at “it” for yourself.
4. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can be great
You are your own you for a reason! This is where the commercial brings in larger name athletes to show a connection that ANYONE, no matter the circumstances can achieve greatness.
The clip discusses Alphonso Davis, a teen Canadian soccer star, who at the age of 16 played for the national team and made a huge image. He was born a Liberian civil war refugee. It talks about Lebron James, who never settled for just being the best basketball player of all time, he is now funding his “I Promise” school. It talks about Colin Kaepernick, and how if you “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything” you can start a movement.
The commercial also examines Shaquem Griffin, who is now in the starting lineup for the Seahawks, with one hand. And last but definitely not least, they talk about Serena Williams— about how where she comes from shouldn’t hold her back from becoming the greatest athlete ever.
All of these athletes can give us a valuable lesson, and that is no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you have if you work hard you can do anything you want to do. You are given your own gifts to bring to the table, so bring them, and don’t hold back.
5. It all goes back to Nike’s slogan: “Just Do It”
The entire premise of the commercial is to prove yourself and show everyone who you are, even when they think you can’t.
Just go be you.
Just go be the best.
Just defy odds.
Just go compete.
Just do it.
What’s really even cooler about this ad, is that although Kaepernick is leading the “taking a knee” movement, this commercial is not extremely political. It makes no reference to taking a knee, but focuses on Nike’s theme for the commercial of not letting anyone deter you away from your dreams.
Last of all, something to take away from all of this is that this starts with you. The word impossible is really spelled “I’m Possible.”