And in an Ashes series the best approach as a player is to not get caught up in feeling pressure for your position but to think only about the greater cause. How can I contribute? It could be a single moment, like a blinding catch or a run out. Think only of the team's needs.
Runs are important, don't get me wrong, but it will be wickets that I will be judged on.
The England team is made up of good people, first and foremost, and we are a very multicultural side, too. I believe we represent our country well and our diversity is one of our strengths.
Difference is respected and the environment Eoin Morgan has created is such that we are encouraged to transfer our personalities into our cricket.
When I look back on my career in years to come I will be proud to say I did not just play in a good England team but one with good people, too.
I grew up playing against friends and cousins in the park and it was some of the most competitive cricket I have played.
In 2014, my first year as an England player, I got booed by some India fans at Edgbaston every time the ball went near me.
Cricket can produce some amazing feelings on the field and I have been lucky enough to experience a few along the way.
Babies are born every day but truly, each one is a little miracle.
Obviously as players we want to play every game. But when you do miss out, I strongly believe the job is to not sulk and make things uncomfortable for those picked or the captain.
Mistakes can happen. Sometimes they can build up over the course of an innings and put people even more on edge, which makes it snowball further.
Coming on to bowl in the opening powerplay might look stressful for a spinner but I actually quite like it.
When we get to the third and fourth generation immigrant families and beyond there will be more England supporters among them, maybe even the majority. I have had British Asians tell me they support England because of me or Adil Rashid and that's great to hear.
You have family and kids, you get home and they want to play with you but you just end up on your phone. I caught myself doing that when my little one wanted a kickaround and I decided I'd had enough.
No matter where I bat I try to adapt to the situation.
It's always nice to get a call-up when in decent nick as you can have that confidence coming into the game. It's what county cricket should do.
When shots are going for six and you're playing well, everyone is trying to big you up. Mis=hit one, get out, all the negative people come out.
As cricketers and professionals, with the scrutiny that is on us, we have to obviously be careful and behave ourselves.
With young kids watching and hearing the news, we have to be on our best behaviour. I think it's really important that we inspire the younger generation to take up the game. It could turn them away. That's not what we want.
Through county cricket all the way up to international cricket, the individual needs to be responsible for his behaviour.
