Winners such as the country's five rowing Olympic champions make a "map of self-improvement" to achieve their goals, says former All Black coach Sir Graham Henry.
He said winning came down to desire, talent and self-reliance.
"They have a map of personal self-improvement, which comes down to a daily battle on what they have to do to get the best out of themselves," said Sir Graham.
He imagined the rowing champions of Mahe Drysdale, Hamish Bond, Eric Murray, Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan had done exactly that.
"I also think they've got the mental toughness.