The Four Minute Mile
42. The four minute mile.
There was a time when it was believed no man could run a mile in under four minutes. Then in 1954 Roger Bannister became the first man in history to do just that. Shortly thereafter many would come to break a four minute mile. Now in running, the four minute mile is considered the benchmark for those who compete in one mile races. There are other similar stories in human history. It was once believed we could never land on the moon. Before that it was believed that the world was flat and if you went too far, you would fall right over the edge. The proper use of this Tool is for you to ask yourself what lies have you bought into during your life? What achievements are you holding back on because someone has told you it can’t be done?
Over one hundred years ago they almost closed the U.S. Patent Office because they said everything that can be invented already has been. I bet we’re glad that never happened. Why do people think in this self-limiting kind of way? Remember the described thinking that nails do? People think this way because it is easier, and to reach new levels will require an effort that they have never attempted. People also go with the theory that if they don’t have lofty dreams, then they will never be disappointed. I do believe it is important to take an inventory of opinions from people to help you refine and focus your dreams but not when choosing them.
The most successful people of our time became so because they refused to listen to others. To clarify, they went against the accepted norm of the time. Remember the Tool we just covered, 41? Well, once the first runner broke the four minute mile, all the other runners were there mentally. They knew in their minds that it had been achieved and the barrier that was holding them back (themselves/their own minds) had disappeared. They were there mentally and hence got there physically. What you need to take from this Tool is that the greatest barrier to success is ourselves. We are the ones for the most part who get in our own way. We have programmed ourselves to believe that we can’t reach certain levels and we listen to others tell us things can’t be done. Implement this Tool so you can start to believe that anything is possible.