Who originally said this is lost in myth, some say Zig Ziggler, the noted motivational speaker, but the message is clear whoever was responsible. Success means something different to each of us, but achieving that success takes a lot of hard work. It doesn’t matter whether you are learning guitar, seeking to be a professional athlete or securing a major contract for your business, none of these things happen by chance.

In every scenario, when someone succeeds, it is due to the work they put in beforehand. When you see a brilliant guitar player, you are watching the end result. You don’t see the hours and hours of daily practice, the commitment, sore fingers and everything else that got them to that point. Likewise any professional athlete, the dedication to train every day, to avoid distractions and maint....

A quote from David Goggins, who as a former Navy Seal and acclaimed endurance athlete, knows a thing or two about achieving greatness. Achieving greatness in your field, whatever it may be, takes time. You need to be patient with the process, whether it is learning a new skill or refining your approach to any challenge. Patience is an essential aspect, otherwise you will never keep going to achieve everything you can, and instead give up before you get there.

Consistency in what you do impacts all aspects of your life. To be great at a sport, it means consistency in practice, your approach, your diet and fitness regimes. In business, it can mean keep going in the face of rejection, when it can be easier t....