Destroy That Mental Barrier

Have you heard of Roger Banister? He was the first athlete to run the mile in less than four minutes. In doing so, he not only broke the four minutes barrier, but also taught us all a valuable lesson. Back in the1950's, the world record was 4:mins 1.4 seconds held by one Swedish guy Ginder Haegg. The record stood for several years since it was set in 1945. Athletes, experts and even doctors argued that the human body was biologically incapable of running the mile in less than four minutes. Then came Roger Bannister on May 6 1954 doing the impossible, he broke the 4 minute barrier when he completed a race in 3 minutes 59.4 seonds. His rival, Charles Landy had thrice run the mile in less than 4 mins 2 sec without breaking the 4 minutes mark. The four minutes barrier was like a wall, Landy had once said, but guess what? just 56 days after Bannister broke that "wall", Landy ran the mile in 3 mins 57.9 seconds. In 1957, 16 athletes around the world ran the mile in under 4 minutes. THE 4 MINUTE MENTAL BARRIER WAS TRULY SHATTERED.

What really happened? Did coaches get smarter and teach the athlete new technique? Did running shoes get more sophisticated? Did the body suddenly get stronger? NO. The 4 minute barrier it turned out was not a physiological one - just a mental one! As Rogger Bannister explained later, it seemed illogical that you could run a mile in 4 minutes and a bit, but not break the 4 minutes. His mind refused to accept that barrier, that made the difference. 

Bannister breaking a mental barrier

Once that mental barrier was broken by Bannister, every one believed it could be done! and once the belief changed, the rest was easy. It is important to understand that our achievement in life are limited not by what we can do, but by what we think we can do. More than ability, it is our attitude that makes the difference. As Henry Ford said " if you think you can, or you think you can't, you are a right". You will probably find your mind constantly grappling with two competing thoughts, I can't! and I can! How do you ensure the "I can" wins. Simple, feed it and consciously make it grow stronger. While you are at it, starve the "I can't" and ensure it grows smaller and weaker. You won't always find a Bannister to break the mental barrier in your life. You need to do it yourself. Once you start feeding the "I can"thought, you will achieve more than you ever thought was possible.

Wish you a great week!

You Are The Architect Of Your Own Life

According as his divine power hath given us all things that pertains to life and godliness ...2Pet1:3. If you asked me, this is one of the most inspirational statements made in the bible. What God is simply trying to say is, child, this is your bag of tools, that is cement and sand, make concrete, those are iron rods, I have made blocks available, just go ahead and start building, if you need any other material, I will provide them for you. Wow! Everything you need for your reality is in your ability!

Many people complain about their lives, they say, why was I born in this house, why wasn't I born in Europe or America (I must confess I once thought this way). I see people blame the government for their woes. If only they knew that all they would ever need is within them. It is time to stop giving excuses, it is time to rise up and start building the life of your  choice. History is saturated with people who grew up facing adversity and yet still built a great life despite all odds going against them. I'll like to mention a few;

Albert Eintein was termed a dullard, unteachable (not different from a person suffering from Down's syndrome), yet we all know him as one of the greatest scientist of our time. His quantum theory is still relevant today.

Glen Cunningham was an American Athlete in the 1930s. When he was eight, he got involved in a fire accident which took his elder brother and severely burnt his legs. Doctors tried to amputate his legs but he wouldn't let them, so the doctors concluded he would never be able to walk normally. A man of faith and positive attitude, he soon using those legs to run. 

In the 1932 Olympics he took 4th place in the 1500 m, and in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, he took silver in the 1500 meters.In 1934, he set the world record for the mile run at 4:06.8, which stood for three years.In 1936, he set the world record in the 800 m run.In 1938, he set a world record in the indoor mile run of 4:04.4. He retired from competition in 1940. (Roger Bannister was the first to break the four-minute mile, in 1954.).

Booker T Washington, an African- American born during the time slave trade was still in vogue, he became one of the leading voice of former slaves and their descendants who were oppressed and disenfranchised. He gave speeches and became nationally famous. He became adviser to the presidents of the US between 1890 and 1915.

Every one has the power to build a great life, no matter what you may be facing presently. All the materials needed are available. There is only one problem. That problem is you! We seek help, fortunately, the only help we can get is at the end of our own arm. We are too lazy and impatient to build a great life, instead we run after wealth. Lets kill the demon called laziness and impatience. Lets start now, whether you are a student, a youth or middle aged, though no one can go back and make a brand new start, you can start now and make a brand new ending.