Ever since that day when I was 11 years old, and I wasn't allowed in a photo because I wasn't wearing a tennis skirt, I knew that I wanted to change the sport.
Billie Jean KingRead
I like putting money back into what made my life, and tennis has been great to me.
Interpretation
Investing in what has positively shaped your life can lead to personal growth and fulfillment.
In this quote, Billie Jean King emphasizes the importance of giving back to the sources of our success and happiness. By acknowledging the significant role tennis has played in her life, she highlights that reinvesting in those passions not only honors our past but also paves the way for continued growth and legacy.
In practice
During a motivational speech about personal growth.
Ever since that day when I was 11 years old, and I wasn't allowed in a photo because I wasn't wearing a tennis skirt, I knew that I wanted to change the sport.
Tennis taught me so many lessons in life. One of the things it taught me is that every ball that comes to me, I have to make a decision. I have to accept responsibility for the consequences every time I hit a ball.
A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.
Natural talent only determines the limits of your athletic potential. It's dedication and a willingness to discipline your life that makes you great.
I feel that tennis is an art form that is capable of moving the players and the audience - at least a knowledgeable audience-in almost sensual ways. When I'm performing at my absolute best, I think that some of the euphoria I feel must be transmitted to the audience.
Be bold. If you're going to make an error, make a doozy, and don't be afraid to hit the ball.
No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself.
The key is not to worry about being successful, but to instead to work toward being significant - and the success will naturally follow.
The trick is to make sure you don't die waiting for prosperity to come.
Being criticized in the media is a good problem to have - most of the time. It means you're doing something that is at least interesting or cool or crazy enough to be noticed. It might not always feel good, but it's usually better than the alternative of obscurity.
If you spend too much time learning the 'tricks' of the trade, you may not learn the trade. There are no shortcuts. If you're working on finding a short cut, the easy way, you're not working hard enough on the fundamentals. You may get away with it for a spell, but there is no substitute for the basics. And the first basic is good, old fashioned hard work.
If we surround ourselves with people who are successful, who are forward-moving, who are positive, who are focused on producing results, who support us, it will challenge us to be more and do more and share more. If you can surround yourself with people who will never let you settle for less than you can be, you have the greatest gift that anyone can hope for.
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