You give up your childhood. You miss proms and games and high-school events, and people say it's awful... I say it was a good trade. You miss something but I think I gained more than I lost.
Mary Lou RettonRead
Working hard becomes a habit, a serious kind of fun. You get self-satisfaction from pushing your self to the limit, knowing that all the effort is going to pay off.
Interpretation
Hard work can be enjoyable and leads to personal satisfaction and success.
Mary Lou Retton emphasizes the transformative power of hard work by presenting it as a rewarding habit rather than a chore. When individuals challenge themselves and consistently push their limits, they not only develop a sense of pride and accomplishment but also find joy in the process, knowing that their efforts will ultimately lead to meaningful rewards.
In practice
In a motivational speech at a company retreat, one could use this quote to inspire employees to embrace their challenges.
You give up your childhood. You miss proms and games and high-school events, and people say it's awful... I say it was a good trade. You miss something but I think I gained more than I lost.
Been working and working But I still got so terribly far to go.
Every time you take a risk or move out of your comfort zone, you have a great opportunity to learn more about yourself and your capacity.
At 14, I was the most disciplined guy around. I would get up at 5 o'clock in the morning and run five miles, and then go to school. Sometimes I would run behind the school bus, and the kids thought I was just crazy. I knew what I wanted.
The way I look at it is that somebody in the world, no matter what your field is - teacher, violinist, football player - has to be the best. Why not me?
Whenever I feel bad, I use that feeling to motivate me to work harder. I only allow myself one day to feel sorry for myself. When I'm not feeling my best I ask myself, 'What are you gonna do about it?' I use the negativity to fuel the transformation into a better me.
That everybody can do something, without regard to how old or young they are, rich or poor or middle class they are, how busy or not busy they are and what level skills they have. Everyone can do something. And everybody should do something. ... And if you do it, you'll be happier.
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