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Does negative thinking keep reminding you of the failures and mistakes of yesterday? Negative thinking can make you feel that you can’t live pass yesterday’s problems, today’s circumstances or tomorrow’s challenges.
Roger Bannister’s story
Several years ago, I read a powerful inspirational story about Roger Bannister. Roger Bannister was the first runner to break the four-minute mile. Before he broke the record it was widely believed to be impossible for a human to run a mile in under four minutes. It was believed that the four-minute mile was a physical barrier that could not be broken because of the significant damage it could cause to a runner’s health. The achievement of a four-minute mile seemed impossible to break.
What artificial barriers have you placed in your life? Have you told yourself that you are not smart enough to get the promotion or you don’t have enough experience to start the business? Have you succumbed to thoughts that tell you, you don’t deserve a better life or that you will never make enough money to live debt free? Have you convinced yourself that achieving your vision is impossible or out of your reach?
Thinking for a change
I imagine that Roger Bannister heard an earful of negative and discouraging talk. He heard the media say that breaking the four-minute mile was inconceivable. He heard the doctor’s reports that stated it is beyond human possibility. He heard the analysts say the record would never be broken. At times, he may have even questioned, “What am I doing?” But, Roger decided that he was going to fight through all of the obstacles and accept the challenge.
He had a hunger and drive deep within that kept pushing him to his ultimate goal of breaking the four-minute mile. His vision of breaking the record was so powerful that it would not allow him to quit or give in to the naysayers. His mind was made up and his will could not be broken.
The moment when he broke through his psychological barriers, the once impossible record became possible. No negative reports. No discouraging opinions. No false barriers were going to stop him from achieving what he knew was attainable.
The best step that you can take in the pursuit of your vision is to change how you think. If Roger Bannister had accepted that the four-minute mile was impossible, he never would have attempted to break through his mental barrier. He would have allowed the negativity to dissuade him. He would have complied with the naysayers’ voice. He would have consented to the dream-killing experts.
Instead, he decided to go after his dream. Just think of all the things in your life God has shown you is possible. If He said it then you can believe He can bring it to pass through you. However, Roger Bannister had to not only believe he could break the four-minute mile; he had to exercise his belief. To break through your four-minute mile, you are going to have to believe the impossible and in the famous words of Nike®, “Just do it®.”
“For as he thinks within himself, so he is…” Proverbs 23:7
Question: What artificial barriers have you erected that have kept you from living your vision? Leave a comment.
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What’s your take on what you just read? Comment below or write a response and submit to us your own point of view or reaction here at the red box, below, which links to our submissions portal.
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