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The necessity to constantly turn in an excellent performance, to be absolutely wedded to this dedication and this ideal means that as a child you're going to pay for it personally.
Twyla Tharp
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Achieving excellence requires a strong commitment that may come at a personal cost.

Twyla Tharp emphasizes that the pursuit of excellence in any endeavor, particularly in one’s craft, demands unwavering dedication and commitment. However, this relentless drive can often lead to personal sacrifices, especially during formative years, where the focus on achieving high standards may overshadow other important aspects of life.

Themes

ExcellenceDedicationPerformanceCommitmentSacrifice

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech to young athletes, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of dedication in achieving their goals.

More from Twyla Tharp

Do I watch dancers as people? Yes, absolutely. Do I watch really good dancers for specifically who they are? Absolutely, because how they move best and how they look best is going to be most familiar to them, and not necessarily to me.
Twyla TharpRead
I am still pushing the edge of what my body can do.
Twyla TharpRead
No one is born with skill. It is developed through exercise, through repetition, through a blend of learning and reflection that's both painstaking and rewarding. And it takes time.
Twyla TharpRead
Without passion, all the skill in the world won't lift you above craft. Without skill, all the passion in the world will leave you eager but floundering. Combining the two is the essence of the creative life.
Twyla TharpRead
I grew up in a drive-in theater, from the time I was 8, working in a snack bar watching four features every week. It was silent theater in the sense that this was a drive-in, which meant that I often saw the films going with no sound. But I learned to tell stories through action.
Twyla TharpRead
Without passion, all the skill in the world won't lift you above craft.
Twyla TharpRead

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