“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

– Nelson Mandela

I remember watching the movie Cool Runnings years ago when it came out. I have watched it again many times when it aired on TV. I definitely see it through different eyes after learning about the four little habits of persistence.

Mastering these habits ensures success in life. Rewatching the movie looking for the four habits shows me I can learn from it and be inspired as long as I am seeing the deep rooted message.

Mastering The Four Little Habits That Can Get You Anywhere

The first habit is “a definite purpose backed by a burning desire for its fulfillment.” The opening scene of the movie shows Derice Bannock practicing for the 100-meter race. He is a teacher, yet has a desire to represent Jamaica in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Korea.

Everyone in Jamaica is cheering him on to represent the country. At the Olympic trials, he was unfortunately tripped by a neighboring runner who fell. He looked up to see the remaining runners finish the race and feel victorious they were going to represent Jamaica.

Determined to get to the Olympics, Derice pleaded with the official to let him represent the country. The official let him know he could not do anything and he was more than welcome to qualify for a different sport.

Derice then notices a picture of his father and another man with Olympic medals. The Olympic official let him know the other man was an American bobsledder, Irving Blitzer, who felt sprinters would make the best bobsledders.

He was attempting to convince Derice’s father to become a bobsledder. After hearing this, Derice was determined to find Irving to coach him to become a bobsledder so he could fulfill his dream of going to the Olympics and Irving can see he was correct with his idea.

The second habit is “a definite plan, expressed in continuous action.” Derice first convinced his best friend Sanka to be a part of the bobsled team. Sanka was Jamaica’s top pushcart driver.

Sanka thought he was crazy but eventually made the decision to help his friend.

Derice searched for and found Irving. He finally convinced him to coach him although he was adamant about not doing it. Derice spoke to Sanka’s and Irving’s inner desire to do something different to get to the Olympics.

They organized a meeting to find two more people to be on the team. Once they found them, Irving coached them and had them practice over and over again. It was interesting and funny to watch their determination to get it right.

They had three months to prepare for the Olympics in Calgary.

The third habit is “a mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances.”

The thought of Jamaica participating in the Winter Olympics was far-fetched to anyone who heard it. Their family and friends laughed at them but the coach and team kept going with the training.

Junior was persistent with going to the Olympics despite his father letting him know he should give up and accept the job he was able to help him get. Once they reached Calgary no one took them seriously.

One member of a different team continuously let them know Jamaica did not belong in the sport. They kept practicing and qualified to participate in the Olympics. Overall each person blocked out the negative words and kept moving forward towards their goal.

The fourth habit is a “friendly mastermind alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.”

Once the team was committed and determined to participate in the Olympics, they needed to raise twenty thousand dollars to go to the Olympics. Each member did something to raise money.

The biggest contribution came from Junior. He sold his car which was a classic, worth a lot. He felt guilty for being the one who caused Derice and Yul, the second person he tripped during the Olympic trials, to not complete the race due to him tripping them.

They also received help from a friend of Irving’s who was able to get them a sled so they could participate in the Olympics. It was also great to see the team sitting in a bathtub practicing the track turns.

All brought into Derice’s vision of the first Jamaican bobsled team due to their own personal desires in life.

It might not have been the ideal situation to fulfill a personal goal but compiled together the team and the coach showed being persistent in any situation can catapult you towards a goal even if it seems difficult at first thought and/or presentation to a group.

This movie is a great example of what can happen if you master the four habits of persistence.

Here’s more about my own journey with the 4 habits and more lessons from the Master Key Experience.