Carolina Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during a 1997 game. Photo Credit: RVR Photos
There are times in life when it feels like everything is going wrong, and you will never break out of the tough hole that you find yourself in.
Former Notre Dame and NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Steve Beuerlein discussed his hard times on the GameChange video podcast Thru the Tunnel, and he shared his philosophy on how to maintain belief during periods of struggle.
Beuerlein said, “Everybody’s gonna go through hardships during their life.” He added, “There’s gonna be down times. There’s gonna be things that work against you.”
The danger of going through a prolonged slump or series of hardships is that it can negatively impact your mindset, leading you to believe that this is your lot in life and that you will never catch a break. Beuerlein cautioned, “Once you lose that belief or that faith, you’ve lost everything.” He added, “The only way that you can get through those times is by believing it’s gonna even out. You’re gonna get a break. Something good is gonna happen.”
So how can you train your mind not to lose belief during tough times and truly believe that there really are good times around the corner?
First, believing that future good times are possible does not mean you have to stifle the emotions of the current bad time you might be sitting in. It is normal to feel sad, mad, or frustrated. Although you are frustrated, please remember to avoid beating yourself up and to practice self-compassion! This starts with getting into the habit of practicing positive self-talk.
Try recalling the times you have overcome challenges in the past. This is proof that catching the good break that Beuerlein mentioned is within your reach. It is a reminder that you have developed the grit to get through hard times before, and you will again.
Trust the process and keep working! Beuerlein put it this way, “The most significant attribute that I think you have to have to be successful is the belief that things can and they will turn if you keep doing the right things, keep giving yourself the opportunity to make the positive change that you need to make and get things going in the right direction.”
Sometimes you need an easy win to give you the momentum that helps you achieve the tough victories. Set small achievable goals that get you back on track and out of your slump.
And finally, no one is an island. You can’t do it all yourself. Surround yourself with a good support system that believes in you when you’re finding it hard to do that yourself.
