Speaking at Glenferrie Oval the day after his side's 63-point Grand Final demolition of the Sydney Swans, Lewis said the Hawks could not afford to "sit on their hands".
The All Australian midfielder, who gathered a club record 37 touches in the Grand Final, called on the Hawks' young players to follow Will Langford's lead after his breakout season.
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Langford only played one match in 2013, but averaged 19 disposals in as many games this season.
The son-of-a-gun's campaign culminated in a 21-possession, three-goal display on the biggest stage on Saturday at the MCG.
"I think what you get from the older guys is pretty much the same as you get every year - I think the improvement obviously comes from the core group of players and the younger group of players," Lewis said.
"We've seen guys stand up this year. Obviously Will Langford is probably the standout in terms of his development this year, so I think that's where the improvement comes from."
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The 28-year-old midfielder also hinted the Hawks needed to tweak their game-plan to stay a step ahead of the pack.
"Obviously the coaches will come up with some sort of game-plan that may change," he said.
"The game's always evolving year-in, year-out so they've got their work cut out not just to sit on their hands and expect the way we did it this year is also going to happen next year."
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Lewis said the Hawks were "pretty proud as a group at the moment" after reflecting on a dominant performance that followed a turbulent season of injuries to key players and illness to coach Alastair Clarkson.
The three-time premiership player, who was drafted in 2004 when the Hawks were at a low ebb, declared that the hardship of his early career made the success sweeter.
"I think so. I think to enjoy the success you've got to experience a little bit of heartache," he said.
"In 2008 we were really fortunate as young players to play in a premiership.
"Then in 2009 and 2010 were really hard years for the club and we had to really change the culture."
Former captains Richie Vandenberg and Shane Crawford, plus two-time Norm Smith medallist Luke Hodge, led the change, Lewis said.
It is now being argued whether the Hawks or Geelong were the greatest side of the past decade.
Hawthorn is already planning its assault on flag No.13, although Lewis said the playing group would savour this year's achievement first.
"That's why we play at such a high level and we sacrifice so much of our life to enjoy the ultimate success," he said.
"But I think we'll sit back and enjoy this one first and really understand what we've achieved as a group.
"And then no doubt Clarko, when we get back to pre-season, will settle our sights on achieving the same thing next year."
