You know when to disregard a bad run and not get depressed. Though you once may have been a competitor who read everything and tried most of it, as an athlete you now read only what has practical value. When problems arise you look for literature on the subject by authors you trust. Your reading ties into an overall plan. You're no longer sampling everyone's tips and tricks like treats out of the cookie jar.
Planning is important.
Although you're flexible, you plot goals and races 6-9 months in advance. The athlete is capable of continuous re-evaluation, and may change goals from week to week. You may not know the exact vehicle you'll take, but you know you will arrive. Like other humans, athletes are not perfectly consistent. Sometimes you'll slip back and become a competitor.