History was made last year on March 16, 2018, when the sixteen-seeded UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) Retrievers beat the number one-seeded Virginia Cavaliers in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
It was a phenomenal game to watch. Why was it so historical and phenomenal? Because it had NEVER happened before!
Since 1985, when the NCAA extended to 64 teams creating a sixteen against one seed match-up in the first round, no sixteen seed had ever beat a one seed. Ever. The win-loss record over a 33 year period was one-seeds: 135 games; sixteen-seeds: 0.
Until March 16, 2018…
Every year, commentators talked about how one day a sixteen-seed would beat a one-seed. But it never happened. Sometimes they would get close. They would only lose by two or three points. There were a couple of games where the sixteen-seed lost by one point. In 1990, number one-seeded Michigan State had to go into over-time to beat sixteen-seeded Murray State. However, no matter if it was a blow-out or an extremely close game, the number one-seeds always triumphed…
Until March 16, 2018…
Why did it take so long? Well, there may be many reasons. For one, the one-seeds have more talent and success going into the tournament than the sixteen seed. That is why they are the “number one seed.” However, I think it goes deeper than that.
If it just took better talent and success to win each game in the tournament, then the higher seed would always beat the lower seed, right? If you watch college basketball at all you know that does not always happen. In reality, there are upsets in the tournament all the time. Even the fifteen-seed has beaten a two-seed eight times!
So, what is it?
Mindset!
Sixteen-seeds would go into every tournament knowing they would not win this game. They would try hard. They would even get close at times, but they could never get past the fact that they knew they could not win.
Until March 16, 2018…
History was also made on May 6, 1954, when Roger Bannister was the first person to ever run the mile in under four-minutes. Before Roger Bannister, many believed it could not be done. But Roger Bannister did it!
However, just 46 days later, John Landy broke Roger Bannister’s record! Since May 6, 1954 there have been over 4,000 runners beat the four-minute mile. Did runners all the sudden get stronger and faster? NO! Once Roger Bannister changed the mindset, more people were able to do it.
MY BOLD PREDICTION!
Here is my bold prediction…Now that the mindset has been changed by UMBC… Now that future sixteen-seeds know that a number one-seed can be beat… It will not take another 33 years for it to happen a second time.
My prediction…
It will happen again in five years or less!
You read that correctly… In five years or less, another number one-seed will go down to a confident sixteen-seed that believes it can be done. Keep this blog as a record that you heard it here first. It will happen.
CHANGING OUR OWN MINDSET
Roger Bannister and UMBC have shown us that we CAN overcome our own limiting beliefs! When so many other people believed it could not be done Roger Bannister and UMBC did it anyway! We can learn from them.
What limiting beliefs are keeping you from being successful? What is it you are telling yourself that is holding you back?
Here are two steps to help us overcome our own limiting beliefs.
1. Recognize
We must first recognize our limiting beliefs. Answer the two questions I mentioned earlier:
-What limiting beliefs are keeping you from being successful?
-What is it you are telling yourself that is holding you back?
Also,
What negative self-talk are you feeding yourself?
Once we recognize our own limiting beliefs we are ready for the next step.
2. Replace
Replace your limiting belief with an empowering belief.
Example:
Limiting Beliefs: “I can’t do this.”
“I am not good enough.”
“I always mess things up.”
Empowering Belief: “Every day in every way I am getting better and better.”
“I was made for this.”
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Even though this is a simple process, it is not always an easy one. It may help to have a personal coach walk you through this process. (Roger Bannister had a coach. UMBC had a coach. See a pattern?) If you are interested I can offer a FREE 45-minute “Replacing Limiting Beliefs” coaching session over the phone.
Once you recognize your limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering beliefs, you can accomplish more than you originally thought you could.
You can overcome the odds that you once thought were insurmountable. Who knows? You may even make history just like Roger Bannister and UMBC.
You do not know what you can do until you believe you can!
Let’s get started today! I offer a FREE 45-55 minute “Replacing Limiting Beliefs” coaching session over the phone These coaching sessions are done over the phone at a time that is convenient for you. In this short call, we will work together to:
- discover a path you want to take and
- if I’m the best choice to help you navigate that path.
Register for your free session. It may be the best step you’ve ever taken towards making your life something better than you ever dreamed. Do it now!
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Tommy Lanham uses speaking and coaching to bring the power of enthusiasm to those who are ready to inspire their fire! He’s on a mission to break the monotony of the mundane and mediocre by bringing as much enthusiasm to as many businesses, ministries, marriages and individual lives as he possibly can.
He is a dynamic, award-winning speaker who has been training individuals and organizations to ignite their God-given potential for 25 years. With a unique blend of Ziglar motivation and ragamuffin faith, Tommy delivers powerful, life-changing messages filled with humor, hope, and enthusiasm. Tommy empowers, entertains and energizes audiences to achieve extraordinary results and live a life beyond what they ever dreamed possible.
Tommy is dedicated to helping you make your next event the best you’ll ever experience. Your audience will laugh, learn and be inspired as he mixes enthusiasm and humor with motivational stories to deliver a high content message. You will look like a rock star for hiring Tommy Lanham!
