We cannot always control our thoughts, but we can control our words, and repetition impresses the subconscious, and we are then master of the situation. ↗
In rowing, you're always striving for that perfect stroke, that repetition, each one being as good as the last. Same thing with cooking. You can't say, 'Oh, I don't feel well, so I'm going to put out a crappy plate.' ↗