This is a fantastic reminder from Herbert:
If you want to do something, like really want to do it, you need to prove it. That starts with you proving it to yourself.
In difficult circumstances, do you make excuses? Or do you face your problem head on? Are you willing to make difficult decisions to do what you’ve committed to? Are you willing to put out bad work in order to improve? Are you open to taking feedback—even if it hurts—in order to improve?
Doing these things proves to you that you want to do it. People will see that and gravitate towards it, because it’s so unusual. Not doing these things suggests to you that you’re pretending. People will see that too.