Be Thankful for the Ones Who Saw the Winner in You Before You Started Winning

Long before the accolades, before the confidence, before the world acknowledged my value—I had people who saw my potential when I could barely see it myself. They weren’t just cheerleaders. They were visionaries.

They spoke to the version of me I hadn’t yet become. And I didn’t always believe them.

Because let’s be honest—when you’re struggling, when you’re fighting self-doubt, when success feels like an abstract concept reserved for other people, it’s hard to embrace the idea that you are destined for greatness. But there were voices in my life that refused to let me shrink. They saw something in me before the proof existed.

And for that, I am grateful.

The Psychology of Belief Before Proof

Psychologists call it self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to succeed (Bandura, 1977). Research shows that when someone believes in us before we do, it can act as a catalyst for confidence, resilience, and eventual success (Zimmerman, 2000). The right words, spoken at the right time, have the power to rewire our self-perception.

Think about it: How many times have you doubted yourself, only to have someone say, I see you. You are capable. You are built for this—and suddenly, something inside you shifts?

That’s not a coincidence. That’s the power of external belief shaping internal identity.

The Role of “Pre-Winners” in Our Journey

Success is never a solo act. There are always pre-winners—mentors, friends, teachers, family members—who invest in us long before we become the person the world finally recognizes.

They remind us that we are more than our circumstances. That we are not defined by failures, setbacks, or slow progress. They hold up a mirror that reflects not where we are, but where we are going.

And here’s the thing: Not everyone gets that kind of support. So when you do? Be grateful. Be intentional about remembering.

Honor Them By Becoming the Person They Saw

We honor these people—not just by thanking them, but by becoming the version of ourselves they always knew was possible. By stepping into the confidence they loaned us when we didn’t yet own it. By turning their faith in us into something tangible.

So, to the ones who spoke to the winner in me before the world acknowledged my wins—thank you. I see now what you saw then.

And to those of us on the rise? It’s time to pay it forward. Because somewhere, someone else is doubting themselves the way we once did. And maybe—just maybe—they need our voice to remind them of the winner inside them, too.

References

• Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215.

• Zimmerman, B. J. (2000). Self-efficacy: An essential motive to learn. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25(1), 82-91.