If I bring back only one gold people are going to say it's a disappointment. But not too many of them own an Olympic gold medal so if I get one I'm going to be happy.
Interpretation
Achieving a significant goal is often undervalued by others, yet personal satisfaction comes from the accomplishment itself.
In this quote, Michael Phelps highlights the importance of personal achievement over public perception. He suggests that while society may set high expectations, the true significance lies in the joy and pride one feels upon achieving a milestone, such as winning an Olympic gold medal, regardless of others' opinions. Phelps emphasizes that not everyone has the chance to earn such accolades, and thus, the value of the experience should not be diminished by external judgments.
In practice
This quote can be used to inspire athletes and competitors at sports events.
I want to be able to look back and say, 'I've done everything I can, and I was successful.' I don't want to look back and say I should have done this or that. I'd like to change things for the younger generation of swimmers coming along.
For so long, I looked at myself as literally a kid who was talented who would go up and down the pool. That's it. Nothing else. Very few people knew who I really was.
I don't want to be the next Mark Spitz; I want to be the first Michael Phelps
There are too many kids who are drowning for lack of water safety. That's something I'd like to do. Teaching kids to live an active lifestyle.
My goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, 'I'm an Olympic gold medalist.'
I know it won't be eight medals again. If you want to compare me to that, that's your decision, not mine. I'm going out there to try to accomplish the things that I have in my mind and in my heart.
As I've conducted my interviews with crowdsourcing entrepreneurs and experts, it's constantly hit me that your ability to do something big and bold is really a function of the size and quality of your crowd.
More important than the HOW we achieve financial freedom, is the WHY. Find YOUR reasons why you want to be free and wealthy.
A lot of us players, if you were to ask them, feel like they have to play overseas. Why? 'Why not? Might as well do it while I can.' For a while, I felt that way - I've got to make the most money that I can. Now, do I feel like I could still play overseas? Absolutely. But I don't feel that pressure anymore.
Every dream I've ever had in life has come true ten times over.
That good is the enemy of great is not just a business problem. It is a human problem.
I never buy anything unless I can fill out on a piece of paper my reasons. I may be wrong, but I would know the answer to that ...I'm paying $32 billion today for the Coca Cola Company because... If you can't answer that question, you shouldn't buy it. If you can answer that question, and you do it a few times, you'll make a lot of money.
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