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My father once told me that anyone who worked for three dollars an hour owed it to himself to put in four dollars' worth of work.
Bill Russell
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Put in more effort than what you are compensated for to honor your work and yourself.

This quote emphasizes the value of hard work and self-respect. It suggests that individuals should strive to deliver more than what is expected, regardless of their hourly wages, to create a sense of personal integrity and satisfaction in their efforts. It not only highlights the importance of diligence but also advocates for taking pride in one’s work and recognizing that the effort you put in can reflect on your character and future opportunities.

Themes

WorkEffortSelf-RespectIntegrityValue

In practice

Example use cases

During a team meeting, to inspire teammates to go the extra mile.

More from Bill Russell

The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot.
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The most important measure of how good a game I played was how much better I’d made my teammates play.
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Commitment separates those who live their dreams from those who live their lives regretting the opportunities they have squandered.
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People say it was the greatest individual rivalry they've ever seen. I agree with that. Let me assure you that if either Wilt's or Russ' coach had ever told one of them he couldn't guard the other guy, he would have lost that player forever.
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To me, the most important part of winning is joy. You can win without joy, but winning that’s joyless is like eating in a four-star restaurant when you’re not hungry. Joy is a current of energy in your body, like chlorophyll or sunlight, that fills you up and makes you naturally want to do your best.
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Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory.
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