Mindset Monday #47 - Pride In Your Work

Mindset Monday #47 – Pride In Your Work

In sports and life, there's a simple but powerful truth: You earn what you achieve. Success isn’t something handed out, nor is it something anyone else can take credit for. It’s yours—because you worked for it.

This concept of pride in your own work is crucial, especially in competitive environments where outside influences, such as coaches or mentors, sometimes try to take ownership of your achievements.Today, we’re diving into the importance of recognizing your efforts and embracing the pride that comes with knowing you’ve earned everything you achieve.

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Nothing Is Owed—It’s Earned

 A few weeks ago, we discussed that nothing in life is owed. Whether it's playing time, recognition, or success, it isn't something anyone simply deserves—it must be earned through consistent effort and execution. This mindset is a game-changer for athletes. When you embrace the fact that success comes from your effort, not some external entitlement, you develop a stronger, more resilient mental approach. You stop focusing on what you think you “should” have and start focusing on how to earn it.

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You Earn Success, Not Someone Else

Recently, we had an athlete come to us, frustrated with their performance. They were feeling nervous and tight on the ice, unsure how to deal with pressure. As it turned out, their coach had told them: "I made you. I did that for you." That’s a dangerous message to hear. It creates confusion about who deserves credit and shifts the player’s mindset away from their personal autonomy. Here’s the reality: Coaches and trainers provide opportunities, but players earn their success.

As a coach, our role is to create a structure where athletes can thrive. We offer tools, guidance, and support. But the effort, the discipline, and the execution belong to the athlete. It’s the player who steps onto the ice and puts in the work—under pressure, in real-time. No coach can make an athlete great without the athlete’s dedication and follow-through.

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Take Pride in Your Work

It’s essential to own your success. If someone—whether it's a coach, mentor, or trainer—tries to take credit for what you’ve achieved, you need to have the confidence to push back. Your success is yours, and no one else gets to hold it over you. It’s okay to say: "No, I earned that."  

This isn’t about disrespecting the people who help along the way. Coaches, mentors, and trainers are valuable resources. At Gary Roberts Performance, we’ve had the privilege of working with players like ConnorMcDavid for over 12 years. But we don’t claim to have made him the player he is today. We provided the part of the structure, but McDavid earned his greatness. His achievements belong to him and him alone. This is the same for all of our athletes, and we’re honored to play a small role.

At the end of the day, success is personal. Whether it’s on the ice, in the gym, or anywhere else, you must take pride in the hard work you put in. No one can take that from you. And no one else has the right to it.

So, this week, focus on what’s in your control. Put in the work, execute, and take pride in every win, big or small. Have a great week and keep building your foundation of success.