One of my favourite sporting occasions is Rugby’s British and Irish Lions Tour.

In case you didn’t know, every four years (arguably), the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are selected to face off against the powerhouses of rugby:

South Africa, NZ or Australia.

In the Successful South African Tour of 1996, Jim Telford the forward’s coach gave this rousing speech:

This speech rings true, not just for rugby players!

“There are two types of rugby players.

There are honest ones, and there’s the rest.

The honest one gets up in the morning and looks himself in the mirror and sets his standard… and says

I’m going to get better.

I’m going to get better.

I’m going to get better.

He doesn’t complain about the food, the beds or the referees…

These are peripheral things weak players complain about,

The dishonest player.”

How honest are you being with yourself?

Taking ownership of your physical condition is the first step.

Understand your attitude and work ethic is reflected in the mirror.

What you put in today won’t be seen immediately and soon won’t be enough to get to the next level.

Be prepared to do more!