It's about getting in position and taking a swing. I don't care if you're taking steroids or not; if you don't do those two things, it's not going to matter anyway.
Tony GwynnRead
I think the ability to hit - some guys have it and some guys don't - but I think how dedicated you are to trying to get the most out of yourself, I think kind of determines how good you are and for how long. I was born with the ability to hit, but my work ethic has taken it to the next level.
Interpretation
Success in any field often combines natural talent with strong dedication and work ethic.
This quote highlights the importance of both inherent ability and the effort one puts into developing that ability. While some individuals may possess a natural talent, it is the commitment to self-improvement and diligent work that ultimately determines their long-term success and excellence in their pursuits.
In practice
Use this quote in a motivational speech for young athletes to emphasize the importance of hard work.
It's about getting in position and taking a swing. I don't care if you're taking steroids or not; if you don't do those two things, it's not going to matter anyway.
I'm coaching 'swing at this, don't swing at that,' and in the middle of it, a kid looks at me and says, 'Coach, I think I'm going to fail history.' Or maybe their girlfriend just dumped them. These are kids, and once I embraced that, this became a lot more fun.
Let excellence be your brand... When you are excellent, you become unforgettable.
When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet Theatre in New York. It all happened so fast - it was pretty unheard of that someone could train for so few years and become a professional at one of the most elite dance companies in the United States.
The cherished dream of every chessplayer is to play a match with the World Champion. But here is the paradox: the closer you come to the realization of this goal, the less you think about it.
Success doesn't come instantly. Neither does the ability to lead.
Many of us spend our lives searching for success when it is usually so close that we can reach out and touch it.
What I've realized recently is that the difference between me and Mickey Mouse is, there's not a man that can go and say, 'Look, can you get me in any faster? I'm Mickey Mouse.' Whereas I can go in and say, 'Look, could you get me a table faster? I'm Princess Leia.'
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