Many people would have given up after a fraction of the
journey. What made these and so many more achievements
possible? These people succeeded because they believed
they could. Once Roger Bannister had run a mile in under four
minutes, within months many other athletes did the same.
Once he had broken the barrier, he created a belief in others
that it was possible. Once others held the belief, their
performance matched what they believed to be possible. Such
is the power of what we believe and the influence of those
beliefs on other people.
Let’s consider what each of the beliefs of excellence means.
This belief is sometimes referred to as “the map is not the
territory.”
Consider this conversation:
“I really enjoyed the film last night.”
“It was rubbish.”
“No it wasn't, the photography was beautiful.”
“Yes, but the story line was nonexistent.”
“That's ridiculous.”
“No it isn't!”Recognize that? Neither person in this conversation is right or
wrong, although they may not appreciate this. However, each has
their own way of experiencing life, their own “map of the world.”
How often does your map of the world bump up against
someone else's? And what happens when it does?
Once you accept that everyone has a unique map of the
world, you begin to understand and accept difference.
“When I think about other cultures I think about what they
represent in terms of human possibilities: a whole set of ways to
see and hear and feel about the world that could potentially
resonate with my neurology, a place where news of difference is
waiting to be discovered.”
Judith De Lozier, Turtles All the Way Down
Imagine a world where this understanding and acceptance
existed—how different our daily lives would be. How would
EACH PERSON IS
UNIQUE
Maps of the worldWRITE YOUR OWN LIFESCRIPT: BELIEFS OF EXCELLENCE 241