“You don’t need to be told you’ve earned it. You need to decide you have.”
Hey Rollers,
We’ve all heard the phrase: “You need to earn the right.”
In rugby, it’s grinding through the tough phases before you start throwing the ball around.
In test cricket, it’s seeing off the new ball before chasing the wide deliveries.
In business, it’s proving yourself in the trenches before stepping back to work on the big picture.
In life, it’s paying your dues before you take more time for yourself.
And I don’t argue with that for a second.
Earning the right is real. It’s like putting in the reps or spending time on your feet.
They build the base you stand on, but there can be a catch…
Sometimes “earning the right” becomes a trap.
It’s a respectable excuse. It lets us stay safe inside the process, always preparing, but never actually doing the thing.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot this year. I turned 40 in February, and if I’m honest, much of my life and career I’ve felt like I’ve been earning the right.
It reminded me of my Misogi (my 10 marathons). For years, I told myself I needed to earn the right to take something that audacious on. More training, more mileage, more time available. Always earning and always preparing.
But eventually, the moment came when I had to stop “earning” and just run. Not because the preparation wasn’t important, but because preparation had become the hiding place.
At some point, you’ve earned it. I had earned it.
And when that moment comes, the question shifts:
👉 Do you wait to be given permission?
👉 Or do you decide to take it?
That’s the fine line. Respect the process. Do the reps. But don’t confuse “earning the right” with never pulling the trigger.
Sometimes it’s just about saying: You’ve earned it. Now fucking do it.
Until next week.
Keep rolling.
Justin 👊
PS. Sorry for the f-bomb mom… I earned it 😉
Take Action in 3 Minutes
Think of one area where you’ve been “earning the right” for a while.
- Have you already put in enough reps and iterations?
- Is it time to stop preparing and start doing?
- What’s the one bold move you can take this week to prove you’ve earned it?
Write it down. Then take the step.