'Impossible' is just a word we use when we believe we can't push past our limitations

There was once a young runner who was keen to gain a prestigious university education, but his parents were poor and unable to fund his studies. So he dedicated himself to achieving a track scholarship, which gained him a place at Oxford University.

The young medical student, Roger Bannister, was an impressive runner. But he was so dedicated to his studies that he decided to not run in the 1948 London Olympics — a decision that shocked many people at the time, and drew the ire of the British press. Four years later, Bannister ran the 1500m at the Helsinki Olympics, coming in fourth.

Around this time, he set his mind on achieving a record that was thought to be impossible: running one mile in under four minutes. Doctors and scientists at the time thought any man who achieved such a record would surely die under the strain. With unyielding conviction, and despite having limited time to train, Bannister ran in 30-minute sessions whenever he could fit them in between his studies of neurology. On May 6, 1954, he took part in an annual running match, running for Oxford's Athletic Athlete's Association. During the race, he ran with two friends and, in the final 200 yards, Bannister broke free and sprinted towards the finish line.

He managed to run the mile with a time of 3:59.4

The impossible had become possible. Before Roger Bannister, no-one had achieved this impressive feat and yet, within the same month, an Australian runner called John Landy broke Bannister's record by less than a second. Later in the year, the two would meet at the British Empire Games in Canada. Over what was billed as the "mile of the century", Landy led Bannister for most of the race; however, Bannister's sprinting prowess kicked in once again and, in the last straight, he beat Landy by five yards and less than one second.

Bannister had won the mile-long race, finishing in 3:58.8 to Landy's 3:59.6

In the space of a few months, a feat that was seen as impossible was achieved no less than four times between these two impressive athletes. Since their achievements, the 'four-minute mile' has been run by a number of avid runners. In fact, Bannister's time was smashed during a race in 1999, when the Moroccan runner Hicham El Guerrouj crossed the finish line in an astonishing time of 3:43.1

Going beyond limitations

Sir Roger Bannister (knighted in 1975) once said: "Sport is not about being wrapped up in cotton wool. Sport as about adapting to the unexpected and being able to modify plans at the last minute. Sport, like all life, is about taking risks."

Recently, I wrote about how Benjamin Franklin's greatness was inspired by the belief that impossible is just a word and how his story continues to greatly inspire me whenever I've faced with doubts or struggles to overcome. I'm also motivated by my dear friend Jamie Andrew, a Scottish mountaineer who was required to have all four of his limbs amputated following a horrific accident in the French Alps in 1999. Rather than giving into despair and fading away, Jamie pushed himself to learn how to ski, took part in iron-man triathlons, and got back into climbing mountains. Last year, Jamie conquered the Matterhorn — a mountain in the Swiss Alps, which stands at a colossal 14,692 feet.

WATCH: Jamie Andrew's inspiring interview on The Leaderonomics Show

Often, I'm told by some that "not everything is impossible" and that, sometimes, certain feats simply can't be achieved. This is a point I'm happy to concede; of course not everything we can imagine is possible but, for so many challenges, this fact remains true only for as long as we don't try to find out for sure...

When people look at a challenge and they tell me, "It's not possible", what they usually mean is, "I'm too afraid to try in case I fail". As the saying goes, everything that is now possible was once thought impossible. All that we see around us — the innovations, technologies, sporting achievements, and pioneering discoveries — was brought to life because a group of people dared to think that these feats could be and should be made possible.

Make it happen

Our history — and our present — is peppered with stories of people who went after the impossible and made it happen. All too often, we use 'impossible' as an excuse rather than a driver. Those who are quick to point out the million reasons why something can't be achieved often find themselves eclipsed by those who dedicate themselves to discovering that one way they can transform the impossible into the possible. Glib criticism is the crutch upon which mediocrity leans. Greatness, on the other hand, is a quality achieved by those who not only have the skills and the resources to succeed but, more importantly, possess the will, determination and the belief to persevere with their challenges and struggles until they achieve their goal.

Through the stories of Benjamin Franklin, Roger Bannister, Jamie Andrew and countless other inspiring people, we can all learn from examples that resonate with our own dreams and visions, challenges and struggles, and know that no-one who has achieved greatness has ever done so without first swimming against the strong tides of adversity.

Whatever your goal is, whatever you want to achieve — whatever your passion, I can promise you that by immersing yourself in the stories of the many great men and women who have shaped and inspired our world for the better, you too will be driven towards writing your own success story. There's no reason why anyone reading this can't make a positive impact on the world should they wish to do so. All it requires is the passion, planning and perseverance to never give up, to keep going until you make your breakthrough. Until you make it happen.

Roshan Thiran is the CEO of Leaderonomics - a social enterprise working to transform lives through leadership development and nurturing potential. Connect with Roshan on Facebook for more insights into business, personal development, and leadership.