Andy Halliday has shared what the message was in the dressing room after Hearts' defeat to St Johnstone in February.
The Jambos are 14 points clear of fourth after recovering from a blip in form to hit the heights of earlier in the season.
But they aren't prepared to accept that it's all wrapped up and instead are focusing on winning each game as it comes.
Following their 2-1 defeat to Callum Davidson's side, Hearts have kickstarted a run of positive form.
Halliday said after that game he was "overcome with anger" over the team's display and result.
But a clear the air conversation in the dressing room led to a shift in fortunes.
The 30-year-old told the Edinburgh Evening News: "Last time I spoke to you at St Johnstone, we had a chat on the Monday after that game.
"We said we can’t be focused on third place. Third will take care of itself if you get three points on a Saturday, that was the message.
"Since then, we have gone on a great run. Regardless what is going to happen from now until the end of the season, that’s the main focus – getting three points every week.
"If you go and secure third, can you then get a record points total if that’s possible? Then you try to win to Scottish Cup, so we’ve got plenty massive things to play for.
"It’s going to be an exciting couple of months."
Despite winning the Championship last season, the Jambos were criticised by their own support for some of their displays in the second tier and an embarrassing Scottish Cup defeat to Brora Rangers.
However, asked if he always thought they would do well upon their return to the Premiership, Halliday said: "Oh yeah, absolutely.
"People might not believe me but I spoke about it last season. We took a lot of criticism and I said it was 100 per cent deserved. I felt we still had the base of a really good squad here.
"The important thing was that Joe Savage and Robbie Neilson did their job, recruited well and made this a competitive place to be. They’ve certainly done that.
"I joined Hearts not only because they had ambitions to get back to the top flight, but once they did they wanted to be competing high up the league, playing in Europe and trying to win cups.
"It's obviously March at the moment and we are well on course to achieve the targets set. We still have some massive games to come, regardless how many points clear we are."
