If you remember my last blog, I talked about how being fearless was a key to winning. I used my game-winning football catch as an example. What I left out was what it took to make that catch. Some might say it was luck, but I don’t believe in luck. That catch was because of my second key to winning, hard work.

We have all heard it, “work hard”. But what does that mean? I believe hard work is a combination of direction, discipline, and wisdom.

Back to the beginning of football season when I spontaneously chose to play. My direction was clear, I didn’t just want to just “play”, I wanted to dominate. But would I have the discipline, wisdom, and work ethic to do this?

I walked into practice and was in awe. How the hell am I ever going to play? These people have played for 14 years, seasoned veterans. I was forced to devise a plan. In one week, I needed to not only be able to run all the required routes to be a wide receiver, but I also needed to know the play calls. So, I sat down, planned, and figured out what I was going to do.

I was going to out-study everyone. I was going to out-work everyone. When nine p.m. hit and everyone left to go home, I would stay. When I was unsure of something I would ask. I would do whatever it takes. And I did that. For six months I put in the extra effort.

And it didn’t show. The incumbent wide receiver had the position locked down. He started every practice and every scrimmage, and he was pretty good. That is until our first game. He faltered, he wavered, he made a massive mistake. He was dehydrated; he gave me a chance. For six months I outworked him. And it finally showed when my cleats hit the turf. Because I had direction, discipline, and wisdom, I shined.

Play after play I dominated. “Wow, that catch was so lucky how did you do that?” I would laugh knowing luck never played a part. It was good old-fashioned hard-nosed hard work. Luck is merely being given an opportunity; success is being prepared. I was prepared.

What does this lesson mean? This lesson carried over to every aspect of my life. I learned what it meant to have conviction and to work hard. And most importantly, I learned what it meant to be rewarded for it. Whenever I find myself tired or lazy, I think of that moment in the endzone. Would that have happened had I gone home after practice? Would that have happened had I been complacent, lazy, average? I might have been given the same chance, but I would have not been ready If not for my bread and butter, hard work.