--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can survive tough situations and even…" description: "\"You can survive tough situations and even turn them to your advantage by acting as if you are the person you want to be. When you act like that person,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/606/bernie-siegel-2465_act_you-can-survive-tough-situations-and-eve_2484067.jpg" --- # You can survive tough situations and even turn them to… ![“You can survive tough situations and even turn them to your advantage by acting as if you are the person you want to be. When you act like that person, you can become that person. The hard parts are deciding whom you want to become, being willing to rehearse until you become that person, and…” quote by Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/606/bernie-siegel-2465_act_you-can-survive-tough-situations-and-eve_2484067.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/606/bernie-siegel-2465_act_you-can-survive-tough-situations-and-eve_2484067.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/606/bernie-siegel-2465_act_you-can-survive-tough-situations-and-eve_2484067.jpg) > “You can survive tough situations and even turn them to your advantage by acting as if you are the person you want to be. When you act like that person, you can become that person. The hard parts are deciding whom you want to become, being willing to rehearse until you become that person, and forgiving yourself until you do.” [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting as the person you aspire to be can transform adversity into advantage, but it requires clear self‑definition, repeated practice, and self‑forgiveness. **In simple terms:** Pretend to be your ideal self to overcome challenges. Key Takeaway Define, practice, and forgive yourself. Themes self‑development resilience identity growth forgiveness Mood determined hopeful reflective Type advice motivational self‑help When to use this quote - career transition - personal crisis - skill acquisition - habit formation - leadership development Key Concepts psychology behavioral change self‑concept mindset Questions to Reflect On - What ideal self do you most want to embody? - How can you ensure your practice stays authentic? A Different Perspective Without genuine self‑knowledge, the role‑play can become inauthentic and ineffective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Forgiving Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving-yourself/) [Situations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situations/) [Tough situations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tough-situations/) ## Related quotes > [The interest of the public is never better advanced than when we can inculcate by our rules the advantage of acting honestly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/the-interest-of-the-public-is-never-better-advanced-than-when-we-can/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I like René Descartes' theory about a ball of wax. 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The way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nayantara/rajni-sir-is-very-dedicated-and-punctual-it-was-great-experience/) Nayantara > [When you're acting, it's all about you and the person in front of you, and I think in life we forget to apply the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/when-you-re-acting-it-s-all-about-you-and-the-person-in-front-of-you/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [I'm a much better listener when I'm acting than I am as a person in real life because you learn as an actor that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainn-wilson/i-m-a-much-better-listener-when-i-m-acting-than-i-am-as-a-person-in/) [Rainn Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainn-wilson/) > [I do really like my co-stars when I'm acting. As a person, as a partner, and as something beyond that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joo-won/i-do-really-like-my-co-stars-when-i-m-acting-as-a-person-as-a-partner/) [Joo Won](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joo-won/) > [It's easy to direct while acting; there's one less person to argue with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/it-s-easy-to-direct-while-acting-there-s-one-less-person-to-argue-with/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [One of the first things I learned about acting was, the only person you compete against is yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-harris/one-of-the-first-things-i-learned-about-acting-was-the-only-person/) [Ed Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-harris/) > [When you're acting, you're a person. When you're modeling, you're a hanger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/analeigh-tipton/when-you-re-acting-you-re-a-person-when-you-re-modeling-you-re-a/) [Analeigh Tipton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/analeigh-tipton/) > [Without the heart it is no worship; it is a stage play; an acting a part without being that person really which is acted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/without-the-heart-it-is-no-worship-it-is-a-stage-play-an-acting-a/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [Outside of acting, the person that I admire the most is my mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/outside-of-acting-the-person-that-i-admire-the-most-is-my-mother/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [Forgiving yourself may be for many people, at least for myself, extremely difficult. And then in a larger context, I will say that I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-payne/forgiving-yourself-may-be-for-many-people-at-least-for-myself/) [Alexander Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-payne/) > [“Forgiving yourself means that you give up on your hope that the past will be different.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-m-hallowell/forgiving-yourself-means-that-you-give-up-on-your-hope-that-the-past/) [Edward M. Hallowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-m-hallowell/) > [Of Moving Forward With Your Life In Spite Of Your Past.. Forgiving Yourself Even When Other's Won't. Waking Up Everyday With The Intention Of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/of-moving-forward-with-your-life-in-spite-of-your-past-forgiving/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [“Accomplishments don’t erase shame, hatred, cruelty, silence, ignorance, discrimination, low self-esteem or immorality. It covers it up, with a creative version of pride and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/accomplishments-don-t-erase-shame-hatred-cruelty-silence-ignorance/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) ## More by Bernie Siegel > [It is astounding how much the immune system is strengthened by reducing daily mental stress levels with either visualization or meditation. The other great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/it-is-astounding-how-much-the-immune-system-is-strengthened-by/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [No matter what the statistics say there is always a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/no-matter-what-the-statistics-say-there-is-always-a-way/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [Live by your experience and do not let limited beliefs alter your life experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/live-by-your-experience-and-do-not-let-limited-beliefs-alter-your/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [For me, consciousness is non-local, not limited to the body, and can exist independent of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/for-me-consciousness-is-non-local-not-limited-to-the-body-and-can/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [There is no such thing as an incurable disease, only incurable people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-incurable-disease-only-incurable-people/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [The Secret Language of Your Body truly is the essential guide to restore your body to its healthiest state and assist you to heal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/the-secret-language-of-your-body-truly-is-the-essential-guide-to/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [I think some people do want to die, and they will get a disease. There are people who know their lives are so troubled,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/i-think-some-people-do-want-to-die-and-they-will-get-a-disease-there/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [Feel your feelings. What you bring forth will save you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/feel-your-feelings-what-you-bring-forth-will-save-you/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [I know patients who bring a dozen roses to the doctor's office. And, boy, the next visit, nobody forgets that. You come in and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/i-know-patients-who-bring-a-dozen-roses-to-the-doctor-s-office-and/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [I had patients who didn't die because they had too many pets to try to find homes for. It's why women live longer than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/i-had-patients-who-didn-t-die-because-they-had-too-many-pets-to-try/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [One of the best ways to change is to act as if you are the person you want to become. When you behave as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/one-of-the-best-ways-to-change-is-to-act-as-if-you-are-the-person-you/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [You can find examples of how little we value ourselves everywhere you look. The signs on the front of the convenience stores where Stephen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/you-can-find-examples-of-how-little-we-value-ourselves-everywhere-you/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [Thoughts are chemical. They can either kill us or cure us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/thoughts-are-chemical-they-can-either-kill-us-or-cure-us/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [I believe consciousness is non-local and a big part of what we experience with near death and past lives. It's the consciousness that has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/i-believe-consciousness-is-non-local-and-a-big-part-of-what-we/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [When my body gets to the point where I can no longer function or feel gratitude, then I'll leave it and become grateful again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/when-my-body-gets-to-the-point-where-i-can-no-longer-function-or-feel/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) [Explore all 165 Bernie Siegel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) ## More Act quotes > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [Teachers' unions don't act in the interest of most teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sal-khan/teachers-unions-don-t-act-in-the-interest-of-most-teachers/) [Sal Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sal-khan/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [People take years learning how to act; it's a skill, not just a job. If I tried it out and thought I'd be OK,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/people-take-years-learning-how-to-act-it-s-a-skill-not-just-a-job-if/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [“Don’t turn your face away. Once you’ve seen, you can no longer act like you don’t know. Open your eyes to the truth. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vashti-quiroz-vega/don-t-turn-your-face-away-once-you-ve-seen-you-can-no-longer-act-like/) Vashti Quiroz-Vega > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [I have no interest in watching myself act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wesley/i-have-no-interest-in-watching-myself-act/) [Paul Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wesley/) > [“Don't wait, just sweat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/don-t-wait-just-sweat/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [I do believe some people can naturally act and don't know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-arnold/i-do-believe-some-people-can-naturally-act-and-don-t-know-it/) [Andrea Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-arnold/) > [Regardless of what I do, whether I write a book or whether I act or whether I host, I'll always do stand-up comedy because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/regardless-of-what-i-do-whether-i-write-a-book-or-whether-i-act-or/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [On 'Workaholics,' I feel like I'm just hanging out with my buddies being filmed, but on 'Mindy,' I'm around professional funny people who act.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-holm/on-workaholics-i-feel-like-i-m-just-hanging-out-with-my-buddies-being/) [Anders Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-holm/) > [I'm not an artist, and I want to take risks, and when the possibility of failure occurs, it's because the idea is all exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/i-m-not-an-artist-and-i-want-to-take-risks-and-when-the-possibility/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [I don't have a huge amount of gear, but on the software side, I have a number of plug-in chains that act as abstracted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hopkins/i-don-t-have-a-huge-amount-of-gear-but-on-the-software-side-i-have-a/) [Jon Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hopkins/) > [I honestly didn't know that I wanted to act until I was probably 12.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-rae-mayo/i-honestly-didn-t-know-that-i-wanted-to-act-until-i-was-probably-12/) [Miranda Rae Mayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-rae-mayo/) Browse all 1,802 Act quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can survive tough situations and even turn them to your advantage by acting as if you are the person you want to be. 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