You're gonna win (in life) if...
Here’s a short and punchy list of what I’ve witnessed, coached and experienced in the 47+ years I’ve been orbiting this spinning ball of dirt we call home:
You’re competitive with yourself.
You don’t need to beat everyone else, you just need to beat you from yesterday. If losing bothers you more than winning excites you, that’s a good sign. It means you care. It means you’re not done. That edge? That inner fire? It’s what keeps you growing while others tap out.
You ask “why?” a lot.
You don’t accept “that’s how we’ve always done it.” You question what most people settle for. And you’re not trying to be annoying. You’re just wired to look for better. People like you usually end up ahead, because you don’t just do the work. Nope. You rethink it. Rebuild it. And, sometimes, you even reinvent it.
You have a morning routine.
I’ve never met a high-performing person who didn’t beat the sun up most days. Discipline shows up before the results do. Every. Single. time. You don’t need to do what everyone else does. Just find a rhythm that works for you and stick with it. That quiet consistency is what separates professionals from amateurs.
You had to struggle growing up.
If you came up the hard way, I’ve got good news: you’ve already survived what most people couldn’t handle. You’ve got grit most folks can’t fake. That early adversity didn’t just toughen you up. It shaped you. If you’re still standing after all that? You’ve got what it takes to thrive. No matter what life throws at you.
You’re an optimistic pessimist.
You don’t sugarcoat reality. You see the downside. And, the upside. You plan for it. And you move forward. That combination, clear eyes, hopeful heart, is rare. You’re not blind to risk. You’re just not paralyzed by it. That gives you a serious advantage in life and business.
You don’t wait for permission.
You’re okay acting without full approval. 70% confidence is enough to take a swing. Most people waste years waiting for signs or certainty. You’d rather try, fail, and learn than sit still and wonder. You trust your gut. You make the jump. And, you learn from so-called failure. That’s how things get made. And, done.
You care about getting better.
You read, listen, ask questions. You’re not trying to look smart. Nope. You’re trying to be better. That posture of growth? It’s what keeps you in the game. You know you’re not finished, and that’s the point. You’re a student of and for life. That’s how winning people live.
You ask for help.
You don’t fake having it all together. You surround yourself with people who are strong where you’re not. That’s not weakness. It’s wisdom my friend. You’ve got trusted voices around you, and they make you better. No one wins alone, and you know that. Deep deep down. If you’ve got the right crew, you’re already ahead. Speed is about going it alone. But, significance is about going together.
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Reread this list a time or two and meditate on the top one or two traits that resonate the most with you. Put pen to paper about them. And, live accordingly.
The bottom line…
You don’t have to check every box on this list.
But if most of it feels true? Then you are built for this.
Keep going. Keep doing you. You’re gonna be just fine.
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Steve Knox | Georgetown, Texas
\\\ Punchy and from the heart today. Thought I’d send a few hundred words of inspo your way midweek. Forward or share this with your peeps (Yes, Easter pun intended). Until next week. Be honest. Be you. Much love.