I love this quote by Eric Liddell as the Flying Scotsman of the "Chariots of Fire" fame.  "The secret of my success over the 400 meters is that I run the first 200 meters as fast as i can.  Then for the second 200 meters, with God's help, I run faster."

That is true in athletics, business, the arts and anything that requires one's all to win the roses and get kissed by the pretty lady.