In a world that celebrates talent and opportunity, there’s a quiet but consistent force that often goes unnoticed: preparedness and hard work. While talent might open doors, the ability to outwork, outlast, and outprepare others is what will truly allow you to walk through those doors and thrive. Professional soccer player Abby Carchio, who transitioned from youth soccer fields in Massachusetts to playing internationally across Europe, is a living testament to this.

Her story resonates with athletes, professionals, and anyone striving for success in life. In this blog, we will explore how Abby’s principles of preparedness and hard work are the cornerstone of not only athletic achievement but also professional success in any field.

Preparedness: The Underrated Secret to Confidence and Performance
Abby Carchio often speaks about the power of being prepared, especially in high-pressure situations. “When you’re prepared,” she says, “the pressure doesn’t seem as overwhelming.” For athletes like Abby, this means hours of physical training, studying game footage, visualizing plays, and honing skills—long before the game day whistle blows.

But this concept of preparedness isn’t just reserved for athletes. It’s a skill that translates seamlessly into the professional world. Whether you’re preparing for a critical presentation, an important business meeting, or a job interview, the time you invest in preparing for these moments directly impacts your confidence and performance.

Why is preparedness so powerful?

Reduced Anxiety: When you’ve done the work beforehand, you approach high-stakes situations with a sense of control. You’re not winging it. You know your material or game plan inside and out.
Increased Flexibility: Preparation helps you anticipate challenges. You’re not just focused on executing a specific task; you’ve thought through various scenarios, which makes you more adaptable if something goes wrong.
Boosted Confidence: When you know you’ve put in the work, you naturally feel more confident. This isn’t arrogance—it’s a self-assurance that comes from knowing you’ve done everything within your control to succeed.
Applying this in real life: Let’s say you’re about to lead a team meeting or give a presentation. If you’ve rehearsed your points, anticipated potential questions, and gathered all the necessary data, you’ll walk into that room confident and calm. The difference between feeling prepared versus unprepared is often the difference between excelling or faltering.

Hard Work: The Controllable Game-Changer
One of Abby’s key takeaways from her career is that while talent is important, hard work is the controllable factor that can take you even further. She highlights that showing up consistently—whether it’s for a grueling practice or a mundane task—pays dividends in the long run.

Hard work is something we can all control. You might not always be the most naturally talented person in the room, but you can always be the hardest-working.

What makes hard work so critical?

Creates Opportunities: While talent may open doors, hard work ensures that you keep advancing once you walk through those doors. Those who consistently put in the effort are often noticed and given more opportunities.
Builds Grit: Hard work over time builds mental resilience, making it easier to handle future challenges. This is what grit is all about: being able to persevere and push forward even when things get tough.
Outperforms Talent: At some point, raw talent plateaus. What distinguishes top performers from the rest is their ability to continue improving through hard work, long after others have settled for mediocrity.
Consider the workplace. A sales executive who consistently refines their pitch, learns from each client interaction, and puts in the time to understand customer needs is far more likely to close deals than someone who relies solely on charm and charisma. In the business world, as in sports, consistent hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

The Role of Resilience in Preparedness and Hard Work
Hard work and preparedness are also deeply tied to resilience—the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Abby Carchio’s career has been marked by moments of adversity, including injuries that sidelined her for weeks or months. But her dedication to staying prepared and her commitment to hard work helped her not only recover but come back stronger.

This principle of resilience is crucial in any field. Failures, setbacks, and obstacles are inevitable, but how you respond to them defines your long-term success. Abby often says, “It’s the work you do when no one’s watching that matters most.”

How to build resilience:

Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities: Instead of viewing failures as dead-ends, see them as opportunities for growth. Analyze what went wrong and how you can improve next time.
Stay consistent during down periods: When things aren’t going well, it’s tempting to give up. But true resilience comes from continuing to put in the effort, even when the results aren’t immediate.
Lean on preparation: As Abby points out, preparation gives you a cushion during hard times. Knowing that you’ve done your homework makes it easier to regroup and push forward.
For example, a product manager who launches a project that doesn’t meet expectations can either let the setback define them or use it as an opportunity to reassess, pivot, and improve for the next launch. It’s in those moments of failure that preparation and resilience matter most.

Preparedness and Hard Work in Your Career
So, how do you apply these principles in your professional life?

Preparation for Daily Wins:

Before every meeting, presentation, or project, take time to research, plan, and rehearse.
Don’t just prepare for the best-case scenario—anticipate challenges and be ready to adapt.
This goes beyond the day-to-day. Set long-term goals and make a plan to reach them. Preparation doesn’t just mean getting ready for the next task—it’s about creating a roadmap for your career.
Commit to Consistent Hard Work:

Talent and opportunities can come and go, but consistent effort is something you control. Make a habit of going the extra mile, whether that means learning new skills, volunteering for projects, or simply showing up early and prepared.
Focus on incremental growth. You don’t have to be a superstar every day, but you do need to consistently improve.
Use Setbacks to Your Advantage:

When faced with a challenge, don’t retreat. Instead, use the opportunity to reflect, adapt, and push forward with even more determination.
Preparation acts as a buffer. When setbacks happen, fall back on your foundation of hard work and preparation to guide you through.
Final Thoughts: It’s All in Your Control
Abby Carchio’s journey from youth soccer to professional international play teaches us that success isn’t just about talent or luck—it’s about preparedness, hard work, and resilience. These are all elements that we control, and they are the building blocks of not only a successful career but also a fulfilling life.

Whether you’re an athlete, a business leader, or someone striving to achieve personal goals, remember that success is built long before the moment of action. It’s built in the preparation, the hours of hard work, and the determination to push through setbacks.

Call to Action: Dive Deeper with the Scorezle Podcast
For more insights and inspiration from athletes like Abby Carchio, be sure to check out the Scorezle Podcast. You’ll hear first-hand stories of resilience, leadership, and hard work, and discover how athletes use these principles to succeed both on and off the field.

Listen now and unlock your potential!

What is Scorezle?
Scorezle is dedicated to helping young athletes develop the values that will serve them both in sports and in life. Through books, trading cards, and engaging content, Scorezle aims to teach kids the importance of sportsmanship, resilience, hard work, and teamwork. Our goal is to create a community of young athletes who not only strive for greatness on the field but also grow into confident, well-rounded individuals who can overcome adversity and achieve success in any area of life.

Trading Cards: Each Scorezle card represents a real athlete and their journey, showcasing their hard work, dedication, and challenges overcome. These cards are more than collectibles—they’re motivational tools that remind young athletes of the magic within themselves.

Books: Scorezle’s books introduce young readers to core values like teamwork and perseverance through captivating, magical stories. The lessons they learn in these books will stay with them long after they leave the field.

At Scorezle, we believe that the values learned through sports—preparedness, resilience, and hard work—are the keys to success in all areas of life. Whether on the field or off, the journey to greatness starts with a commitment to being your best, every day.