My favorite type of motivation comes from overcoming trials. All major accomplishments are motivating, but when it is achieved after enduring difficulty makes it all the more sweeter. Diana Nyad’s successful swim from Cuba to Florida is just the kind of motivation that gives me hope all things are possible.

Consider these facts – she is a she – a woman attempting to swim without a shark cage 110 miles in shark and jelly fish infested waters. She is 64! This was her fifth attempt. Her first attempt was in 1978 – seven years before Michael Phelps was born. Despite her failed attempts, her age, the distance, and the risks – she didn’t give up and she did it. This morning when she was interviewed on “CBS This Morning” she said her mantra through the swim was “find a way.” She had a mantra! No wonder I am so impressed by her.

Also, yesterday she was quoted saying:

“I have three messages. One is, we should never, ever give up. Two is, you’re never too old to chase your dream. Three is, it looks like a solitary sport, but it is a team” – Diana Nyad

How often do we hear people complain that they tried something and it didn’t “work out” so they gave up? Or that they think they are too old to do something? And of course there is also the complaint that “it” could never could be done alone. Nyad didn’t give up, age just was not an issue to her, and although she did the swimming she admits her success was possible because of her team. Despite the odds she found a way.

After all I have dealt with this year (and still dealing…) this success story gave me motivation to keep on. So much is possible to over come. The secret? Don’t give up, age is not an issue when dreams are at stake, and be surrounded by a team that shares the dream. And above all else find a way.