Don Cowie feels his application allowed him to grasp the opportunities handed to him in his 19-year senior career.
Midfielder Cowie, who started and ended his playing career with Ross County, last week announced his retirement to take up a coaching position under Staggies manager Stuart Kettlewell.
Following a spell with rivals Caley Thistle, Cowie went on to enjoy an impressive seven-year spell in England, most notably playing in the Premier League for Cardiff City, along with spells at Watford and Wigan Athletic.
Cowie also broke into the Scotland set up, representing his country on 10 occasions.
The 37-year-old feels a firm dedication to his professional life helped him to reach new heights during his career.
Cowie said: “I was probably a late developer in becoming a regular at Ross County at about 22 or 23.
“I was maybe showing signs of ability and doing well, but to go to the level I managed to in a short space of time after that, it happened relatively quickly and the progression was short and sharp.
“A lot of it is luck along the way. It takes people believing in you, and being lucky with injuries.
“At the same time I showed a lot of dedication and effort to make sure I was the best professional I could be.
“There were many people I played with, not just at this club, who had far more ability and talent than I’ve ever had, but maybe just didn’t quite apply themselves.
“I made sure I did that every day, and that was probably the reason I had the journey I did. I feel very lucky and grateful for the way it has turned out.”
Cowie says the move into coaching did not register as a possibility until his move to Hearts in 2016, and he added: “I was a quiet boy growing up, in the early years playing. Alex Smith tried to cajole that out of me to come out of my shell.
“Working with Malky Mackay, he was the person that really emphasised you’ve got to find your voice on the pitch.
“Off the pitch you can be as quiet as you like, but when you’re on that pitch you’ve got to demand things.
“When I went to Hearts as an older player, I was playing alongside a lot of younger players. You feel like you’re almost coaching them on a daily basis when you are training with them.
“That’s when I really thought I would like to stay in the game and be part of a coaching setup.”
