Part I: Belief
One of my favorite keynote messages to deliver is around how to Unleash Your Potential. I thought it would be fun to share the five-step process in “blog” version. So here’s Part I: Belief.
Peyton Manning will go down in history as one of the greatest quarterbacks to play in the NFL. On track for a record-breaking season, it’s easy to forget the doubt and questions that surrounded Manning and his future in the NFL just over a year ago. Cut by the Colts after 14 seasons with the team, Manning was left to ponder whether he had a future in the NFL. His surgically repaired neck had raised questions and doubts not just in the Colts’ mind but within the media, other teams, and even in Manning himself. But Manning’s belief in himself has always been deeply rooted in preparation.
So facing uncertainty, Manning dove into his craft, rehabbing continuously and working to get himself back into physical shape necessary to sign with another team. But once he was there physically, he also had to get there mentally.How do you maintain belief in yourself amid such adversity and uncertainty? For Manning, it was through his preparation and he committed himself fully to the process, holding under the radar workouts at Duke. At one point, he actually flew in some of his former Colts teammates to join his makeshift rehab “team” in order to replicate the 2009 AFC Championship game in which he had led the Colts to a victory over the Jets. They replicated every play, every route and even every timeout. The physical was almost back. The belief was validated. Manning was back.
It’s easy to believe and have confidence in your abilities when things are going well, but the best dig deep and trust in their talents when times are hard. That means belief has to be rooted in preparation, otherwise it’s a false sense of bravado. Manning is mentally tough. He believed in himself and trusted in his talent when the world was asking if his career was done, and he could do that because he was disciplined enough to put in the work every day to prepare for his next opportunity. If you don’t believe in yourself, it’s hard to expect that anyone else will believe in you. Manning anchored his belief against hard work and preparation, even when doubters voiced their opinions. I think it’s safe to say, he’s made them all believers again.
Molly Fletcher helps inspire and equip game changers to dream, live and grow fearlessly. A keynote speaker and author, Molly draws on her decades of experiences working with elite athletes and coaches as a sports agent, and applies them to the business world. Sign up here to receive our monthly newsletter.