The experts said it was impossible… No way a person could run a mile under 4 minutes. They said it so often, with authority, that the world believed them.
But, in 1952 at the Helsinki Olympics, Roger Bannister (who must not have paid much attention to the experts) became the first person to run the mile in under 4 minutes.
And then you know what happened? Within the next 12 months, 24 different people broke the 4-minute mile?
How was that possible, when for so many years people were told it was not possible?
Was there drastic changes in man’s DNA in that year?
Did they all go on steroids?
No, none of those things happened…
But one thing did change. One thing that we all need to reach our full potential.
The one thing that changed was the BELIEF in people’s minds that it was possible.
Napoleon Hill said, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
So many people start something thinking that they won’t be successful. Or, the best case scenario, they want to be successful, but…
They don’t truly believe it will happen.
Then when the first obstacle rises up, they quit. Then they blame their failure on everything but themselves.
You must believe! Others have done it, why not you?
Michael Jordan said, “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
So, how are successful people different. Well, they are pretty much the same, except in two very important ways.
The first, they really believe they can achieve their goals. No, not believe…they know they can be successful.
Second, they don’t stop trying. They don’t give up just because there are obstacles.
Please do not let yourself down. Do what it takes to achieve what you want. Don’t let anything stop you. Believe in yourself and your capabilities. And, take responsibility for everything; your failures and your successes.
I will leave you with this Thomas Carlyle quote…
“Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It’s a strengthening of his powers of accomplishment.”
