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.
Stop wasting time in playing a role or a concept. Instead, learn to ACTUALIZE YOURSELF, your potential.
I don't like to talk about my dreams. I like to make them happen. I prefer to talk about them when they're done.
It's a new day, a new beginning for your new life. With discipline you will be amazed at how much progress you'll be able to make. What have you got to lose except the guilt and fear of the past?
Still a dreamer, yet more of a realist than ever before, I knew this was my time to sail. On the horizon I saw the shining future, as before. The difference now was that I felt the wind at my back. I was ready.
I think failure is nothing more than life's way of nudging you that you are off course. My attitude to failure is not attached to outcome, but in not trying. It is liberating. Most people attach failure to something not working out or how people perceive you. This way, it is about answering to yourself.
Let us then be up and doing, With a heart for any fate, Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.
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