This is the story of the four-minute mile. For hundreds of years, people held the belief that it was impossible for a human being to run the mile in less than four minutes. In ancient Egypt it was said that they released lions to chase after slaves in order to break the four-minute mile. These attempts too proved to be useless. The best time ever recorded was 4:06 minutes, and there was no way the barrier would be broken. Scientists, doctors and experts declared that there was no way, a man could run a mile under four minutes. They said that if any person should try, His heart will jump right out of his body”. This negative belief continued until a man by the named Roger Bannister decided not to believe in the experts, and others. Roger Bannister believed in himself. He went through a systematic training program and in 1954 he ran the mile in less than four minutes. Thus, the barrier was finally broken, and within one year later, 37 other runners also broke it.

Learning: Roger Bannister chose not to believe in others, but to believe in himself. He had to change his own belief about the possibility of the four-minute mile. He got into shape physically and mentally. He actually visualized himself breaking the four-minute barrier, since no one had ever done it before. The greatest aspect of his breakthrough was what it did for others. If Roger Bannister can do it, so can we!

Author:
Dr. Sunil Patel, Professor, Unitedworld School of Business (UWSB)

Disclaimer: The opinions / views expressed in this article are solely of the author in his / her individual capacity. They do not purport to reflect the opinions and/or views of the College and/or University or its members.