What did you believe about yourself that helped you become successful and deal with hard times?

When I was young I believed that I could do whatever I put my mind to.  Now, at age 59 I'm starting to understand that that isn't the case anymore.  Somethings skills take years to develop, so it is important to choose what you will pursue.  There is a good book by Carol Dweck titled Mindset that explains how I felt about myself.  My mother is responsible for developing the mindset in her children that we could do anything we put our minds to.  I attended Brigham Young University's lab school for my elementary where I was taught with cutting edge ideas in education.
   The Book of Mormon teaches through the stories of Nephi and Aamon and his brothers that difficulties can be overcome through faith in the Lord and through persistent effort.  The little saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," was spoken often in my childhood, and the story of the Little Engine that Could was a favorite of mine.  The growth mindset that Dweck writes about can be developed at anytime, but is easiest learned in the developmental years.
   Introspection is another habit that leads to success and is helpful in overcoming difficulties.  I have written in a journal since my teens.  Much of what I wrote in those early years is childish drivel, but that's not the point.  Taking the time to write about my life and my struggles caused me to think more deeply about my goals and my challenges.
   Another habit that has been helpful to me has been to constantly read and study my profession.  Sales is an area in which much has been written in the way of motivation and instruction.  I highly recommend for anyone a book by Frank Bettger titled, How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success through Selling.  Bettger borrows an idea from Ben Franklin in which he takes 13 principles of improvement and focuses on one at a time for one week each, repeating this cycle four times in a year.  Over a lifetime these 13 things become second nature.  Ben Franklin's autobiography is also excellent reading.  The idea put forth is that of constant improvement.
   In my days at SILO I attended a seminar with the philosophies of Tony Robbins.  He is a sort of West Coast self proclaimed guru of self improvement.  His ideas are infectious, and I listened to tapes of his often.  Robbins is also a big promotor of constant improvement.  Robbins's book, Awaken the Giant Within, is worth reading.
  I should give a caution at this point.  I hold strongly with the council of Jacob in the Book of Mormon to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.  Gain a firm foundation by studying the Book of Mormon and the Bible, as well as the other standard works.  Read Hugh Nibley's books, in particular Since Cummorah, and Lehi and the World of the Jaredites.  Once you have a sure foundation in the gospel, the learning of the world will not shake you.  You will be able to see the truths and the errors in the learning of the world more clearly.  You will be able to glean from the learning of the world things that will strengthen you and your testimony.  It has been a pleasure of mine to hear a book that I have discovered quoted from in Conference.  This happened with Carol Dweck's book, Mindset.  I was very pleased.
   I have had times of deep trouble and depression that was almost debilitating.  Until you have experienced it, you cannot know how helpless and how beyond self help the depressed person is.  I have always had my faith in Christ to fall on in such times.  I have had to abandon pride, but that is no good thing anyway.  The Lord is my Shepherd, I know that when I am lost he will leave the ninety-and-nine and come to find me.  The last few years in particular have taught me that I can let go of worldly things.  Years ago if I had run into the kind of trouble I'm hitting right now, I might have capsized.  But I take life's rogue waves in stride these days.  There is no drowning.  Mom and I follow Dori's exhortation, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."
   Listening to conference today, I am not concerned by President Eyring's warning that your generation will see greater trouble.  I believe that you will face it well.  Your little ones will face it well.  Life is good.  The Lord is in control and his purposes can't be frustrated.