You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the power of dreams and limitless aspirations in achieving success.
Michael Phelps highlights the importance of dreaming big and not restricting oneself with limitations. He suggests that the extent of one's ambitions can directly influence their achievements, indicating that those who dare to envision greater outcomes can achieve exceptional results.
In practice
In a graduation speech to inspire students to pursue their passions.
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.
With your desire defined, quietly go within and shut the door behind you. Lose yourself in your desire; feel yourself to be one with it; remain in this fixation until you have absorbed the life and name by claiming and feeling yourself to be and to have that which you desired. When you emerge from the hour of prayer you must do so conscious of being and possessing that which you heretofore desired.
The goal is to make practice more difficult, physically/mentally, than anything your players will face during a game.
Your voice can change the world.
If you want to be an orator, first get your great cause.
Do you know why the Indian rain dances always worked? Because the Indians would keep dancing until it rained.
I will become the greatest, because all travellers have to be able to adapt. That quality, adaptability, is essential to that way of life. Not many boxers have it but I can adapt before a fight to the opponent, during the fight if necessary.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.