With the CrossFit Games kicking off this weekend, I thought I'd share one of the biggest mindset tools that helped me throughout my competitive career.
For years, I competed almost year-round between qualifying events, the Games, and international competitions. Every event had a goal, and every goal came with a plan.
The question I asked myself every day wasn't, "Do I think I can win?"
It was, "Have I earned the right to win?"
Did I do the work today that would give me real confidence when it was time to compete? Did I train the way I said I would? Recover the way I needed to? Eat the way I planned? Handle the details that most people skip?
I even wore a wristband during the Games that simply said "Earned."
It was a reminder that confidence isn't something you create by getting yourself fired up before an event. It's built over weeks and months of doing what you said you were going to do.
I think that applies to a lot more than competition.
Whether it's a presentation at work, a big sales meeting, a race, or just trying to become a better husband or dad, the same question applies:
Have you earned the confidence to step into that moment?
You can't always control the outcome, but you can control how prepared you are when the opportunity comes.
That's where real confidence comes from.
Keep earning it.
