Why not me?

I've heard many athletes use the term "why not me?" when looking for the confidence needed to achieve their goals. It's a rhetorical question and along the lines of "someone has to win, so it might as well be me" thought process. I'm on board with both.

Last night, I was discussing goals with an athlete and he said he had come to the realization of "why not me?" He was indicating that he had turned the corner in his mind and was ready to achieve the goals he has set for himself. When he said, "why not me?" I instructed him to answer the question. He was stunned and somewhat speechless. I said, "Why not you? Answer that question." Of course he wasn't prepared to answer the cliche question, but it's my nature to push people in those scenarios.

He began explaining why he should reach his goals. He has put in the time, worked harder than anyone else, done all of the little things right, etc. I informed him that's why him. It doesn't answer why not. This is the disconnect. He understood all of the things that should be leading to success, however, he wasn't ready to consider the things that were leading him away from success. It wasn't a case of taking the wrong path or choosing bad things. He was simply being shortsighted in some of the decisions he had made. They looked great in the moment, but more flavor-of-the-month decisions instead of long term planning on how to achieve the goals he had set. The reason he had not reached his goals yet is because he hasn't been completely committed to it in all areas of his preparation and training even if it appeared so from a physical standpoint.

Why not me? Why not? Can you answer that question?