A cup-winning mindset: the Miracle of Istanbul
Because it was a first class example of the power of resilience.
Resilience is our capacity for handling setbacks. It builds on our locus of control – our belief that we have control over our outcomes – and has several components.
A high level of optimism is one of them; we’re not talking blind positivity but instead a belief in the art of what’s realistically possible and the ability to turn a negative situation into a more positive one.
Another component is perseverance – the ability to continue in the face of delay or difficulty.
Enter Steven Gerrard and the power of perseverance in what’s become known as the Miracle of Istanbul in 2005.
Liverpool were down 3-0 against AC Milan at half time in the final yet in the second half, they scored three goals in a six-minute spell, forcing extra time and a penalty shoot-out which they won.
How did this happen? During the half-time talk, Gerrard told his teammates that he was a proud Liverpool kid who wasn’t going to allow his club to be humiliated. He told them that if Liverpool scored in the first 15 minutes of the second half, they would win the game which they did. And Gerrard scored the first goal.
Resilient people learn from setbacks and bounce back. In fact, some resilient people turn the setbacks themselves into sources of motivation. In doing so, they enjoy a greater sense of achievement from having overcome the odds.