Roger Bannister Did It, Why Not You?
Read More: Just in case you’re not familiar with the story of Roger Bannister, I’ll sum it up for you here.
Roger Bannister was British, born in 1929, and won several races as a teen. In 1946 he studied medicine at Oxford University. He still had a passion for running, so devoted much spare time to the track.
At this time there was a lot of talk about running a mile in under 4 minutes. It had never been done before and many wondered if it was even physically possible.
Roger Bannister believed it was possible. He trained as if it were. He determined to prove it.
On May 6th, 1954 Bannister ran that one mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds. He did what most people thought was impossible. He did what no one else had done before. He will forever go down in history as the first man to run the mile in under 4 minutes.
Less than 2 months later an Australian, by the name of John Landy, ran it in 3 min, 57.9 seconds. Roger Bannister and John Landy later raced one another to see who was the faster, with Bannister winning the race at 3 min, 58.8 seconds.
Since that 6th day in May, 1954 many people have went on to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Once it had been done, it broke the last barrier that had held people back before. That is the barrier of the mind.
Too many times this barrier is not given enough consideration. Too many times people don’t believe they can do something big, follow that dream, simply because they never have before. It looks so big, so impossible.
Here is something to consider, if you grab hold of this reality you will be one big step closer to achieving more than you thought possible before.
What is in your head, your level of belief, your level of certainty, your mentality, call it what you want but it all boils down to what’s in your head. How much you believe you can do, will determine how much action you put toward doing it. How much action you put toward it will determine how much success you achieve.
We always hear about taking action. Action action action. However, we also see it all the time; people that want it so badly but for some reason they just never do what it takes to get it. Why?
It’s because somewhere inside of them, they don’t actually believe they can reach that goal, that level of success. If they don’t believe they can, they cannot be motivated to take that action. They don’t want to fail, and they don’t believe they can succeed, so why try?
This is where daily affirmations can make a dramatic difference inside the mind.
Who do you want to be? Where do you want to be? Write those things down and be specific. If you need some idea’s I’m sure you can Google affirmations and find some online.
For more on this topic, watch this interview with Anthony Robbins, Frank Kern, and John Reese. It could very well be your first step to unlocking your potential. I don’t care where you’re at, you will gain something from watching this.
What things are holding you back?
What’s your biggest challenge in business?
Post a comment and share a moment when something clicked for you, and the results of that.
Make it a prosperous day,
Susanna Hess
Roger Bannister Did It, Why Not You? is a post from SusannaHess.com
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About the Author: Susanna Hess
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One Day it All Made Sense
Thanks Susanna for a classic post!
I clearly remember that I struggled with gaining customers for my primary opportunity after qualifying. I just didn't see how it was possible. Then one day (after loads of mindset training), I went out and gained a customer fully believing that I would do so before I left home. From that moment on, I have always had that self belief and to this day, customer acquisition has remained as one of my strong suits if you will. Love your work, keep it going!
The 'click'
Hi Peter,
I love those types of stories, when things just clicked. The mind has so much power, but we don't always think about that. It's interesting that even though we're always using it, it takes training it, to actually get it working the way we want it to sometimes.
Thanks Peter for the comment.
Absolute certainty
Susanna, great blog post and what a great share with the interview video. For those reading this; if you didn't take time to stop and watch that interview...STOP whatever you are doing right now and go watch it...it's just that good.
I guess I had never really thought about conditioning the mind as being another skill needed to succeed. But as I reflect on what it means to actually condition the mind I see how it is a skill asset required in life to become successful.
I hear and read about daily affirmations being important, all the self talk one has needing to be positive I just hadn't catergorized it as "conditioning the mind". Good thought and great word shared from experience.
We all have daily rituals...but do they keep you from having success or do they bring you towards that sweet victory?
One thing is clear to me; I've got to re-define my daily rituals.
Like the interview said - When I am absolutely certain it will happen...then it becomes a MUST and I will make it happen.
Another thing mentioned was "Get the results in head as if it has already happened".
Actually reminded me of something I was reading earlier this week; ...God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed... Romans 4: 17, 18
Makes me realize with absolute certainty I must change my life's result in advance by first seeing in my mind what the outcome will be.
Seems so simple yet I bet many have struggled and suffered with the concept.
Again thanks for the share!
Keep the articles coming,
Much success,
Rachel E.
Think on Purpose...
Hi Rachel,
Yes, that interview was REALLY good! I’m glad you watched it. Wasn’t that an interesting exercise he had them do, with the pointing finger? That was really something! I think I’ll try that out on my boys. Teenage kids are always great to try new stuff out on. ;) haha
Seriously though, you make some great points in your comment. I have found it interesting that (generally speaking) people take their mind for granted and don’t think about what they’re thinking, or what thoughts they are letting live there.
We need to make it a point to think the things that lead to success in all aspects of life, and boot out the thoughts that lead to anything less.
I like your choice of verse to leave us with too. What better example to follow than God Himself? The Bible is full of ‘mindset’ verses. Thank you for sharing that.
You’re right, it does seem simple, but I think that is part of the deception. That is exactly what hinders most people. Like Peter Grimes said in a comment on a different post “Think on purpose”. http://susannahess.com/2010/01/what-you-see-is-what-you-get/ How true that is.
Thank you for some great input on the topic Rachel.
If anyone else has a comment, please don’t hesitate to leave it. What did you think of the video interview?
...and LIVE with a PURPOSE too!
Yes the excersise was good. I got out of my chair so reluctantly; after all I was comfortable, had my notes, pen and coffee exactly where I wanted them.
However after going through the excersise and seeing my own measurable results (my index finger pointed about 6 feet further to the right after seeing it in my mind first) I was like…it really works! and excited!
I actually read Peter’s comment about thinking on purpose. I was pleased to read it, as it has occurred to me a few weeks ago, how I have to live my life on purpose. Life happens around us but why leave it to chance, why not take control of it on and with a purpose? So in living a life of purpose it is great to realize this is backed up by thinking on purpose, an absolute must!
=)
Exactly right!
Exactly Rachel. You’ve nailed it. It’s a daily thing.
Thank you for the comments.