When Does It Count?

There’s a strange phenomenon in sport:
Bronze medalists are often happier than silver medalists.

It’s called counterfactual thinking.

Bronze thinks, “At least I made the podium.”
Silver thinks, “I almost won.”

I once coached an Olympian who won gold… but in a relay.
"So it didn’t count", or so he told me. (Really?!)

Just last week, a current NFL player told me he feels embarrassed to talk about his job.
Why? He’s never taken a snap on Sundays.

Never mind that three franchises have paid him to wear their jersey.
To him, it’s not real.

So—when does it count?

When do you get to call yourself a photographer?
Or a writer?
Or a leader?
Or a pro?

Here’s what I’ve seen:
The most grounded, successful people I know flipped the script.

They didn’t wait for permission.
They didn’t need applause.
They didn’t need the title to claim the identity.

They were writers long before they were published.
Comedians before they were booked.
Champions before anyone kept score.

It turns out, the scoreboard doesn’t make you legit.
Your mindset does.

If you’re doing the work, living the life, and showing up like it matters—
Then it counts.

So go ahead.
Call yourself what you already are.
The rest of the world will catch up.