How many times do we avoid doing something because we decide that it’s impossible?
Impossible is a interesting concept. Some of us invest heavily in it. Others not a cent.
There was a time when the medical, athletic and scientific communities believed that it was a physiologically impossibility for a human being to run a mile in four minutes. It was simply beyond the capabilities of the human anatomy.
Well guess what?
A runner, named Roger Bannister, and his coach, couldn’t understand this.
They’d done the math.
Bannister could run a quarter mile in 60 seconds, why then couldn’t he complete four quarters of a mile in four minutes?
Seemed logical—doable.
So, they decided to challenge the conventional wisdom and find out. They agreed to ‘test’ the theory. Bannister practiced running one minute quarter miles. Then, he extended his efforts, little by little until he could run half a mile in two minutes. Eventually, he worked his way up to the full mile.
On May 6, 1954, Bannister smashed through the limits what had been thought ‘possible’.
He was 25.
He raised the bar of possibility around the world.
Are you ready for how long his record lasted?
46 days. Yep. Because it was now ‘possible’ others simply did it too.
Now, any serious runner who cannot run a four-minute mile, isn’t remotely competitive.
Bannister went on to become a distinguished neuroscientist. When asked if his proudest achievement was breaking the 4 minute mile, he said no. He was most proud of his contributions to science in the understanding of the nervous system.
He is still alive at age 87 having lived a rich, full life.
The Story Made Me Reflect on My Own Life
I thought of the big dreams I’d had in my own life. Some I’d dismissed as impossible or too big and walked away before taking any action at all. Let’s call those the lost dreams.
Others though big I’d approached differently. I’d systematically broken them down into small steps. I got into action (albeit small) but action nonetheless and baby step by baby step inched forward building momentum.
It was encouraging to see my little bits of progress so I picked up the pace. Then seemingly without ‘trying’ things began to fall into place. Soon it felt like I was on a 5 lane expressway full of energy and optimism motoring towards the dream.
When I think of each and every case where I got into action. I eventually broke through the ceiling of impossibility, just like Roger Bannister. In several cases what I achieved was much greater than anything I had initially imagined! In others the dream morphed and changed along the way and something different but equally satisfying and fulfilling came into fruition.
If you can dream it, you can create it
I’m working a big dream right now. Some days the sheer magnitude of it completely overwhelms me. When that happens I’m immobilized. I can’t move I can’t act. The emotion I feel is despair. Nothing happens.
Other days when I take one tiny step towards dream and I feel great! Hopeful. Then there are other days when it seems like all I see is green lights and I take several steps…big steps… they just appear…and I go. I feel completely energized and optimistic. “It’s happening!” It delights me tickles my insides.
While every day is different, every day where I take ACT-ion, I feel Great!
Join me in the Red Shoe Dream ACT-ion Challenge
If you can dream it you can make it happen
Do you have a dream?
Have you dismissed a dream because it just didn’t seem possible? *Remember we’re not given the ability to dream a dream with the ability to make it happen.
Agree to join the Red Shoe Dream ACT-ion Challenge.
Think of tiny steps you could start taking towards your dream.
Take one tiny step – each and every day. Starting TODAY.
Share this post this with a friend or group of friends who have dreams.
Become accountability partners to each other. Checking in at the end of every day with a thumbs up – one small step taken.
You can also post your comments below so we can all high 5 YOU..and CELEBRATE!
Or email me with one small step taken. I’d be happy to be your accountability Dream ACT-ion partner and cheerleader.
Together we will all get there.
We will achieve what at first seemed impossible.
I will. You will.
Doesn’t that tickle your insides and make you smile!
Who’s in?
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