I don't have the strength or wisdom to get through a single day without guidance and grace from God.
You should never be defined by what you do, by the things you have; you've got to define yourself by who you are and who you impact and how you impact people. And that's the thing I try to get across to my players.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True identity lies in personal values and the impact one has on others, not in external possessions or accomplishments.
In this quote, Tony Dungy emphasizes the importance of self-definition based on character and influence rather than material possessions or professional roles. He encourages individuals to focus on their values, their relationships with others, and the positive effects they can have in the world, particularly in leadership and mentorship roles. This perspective is vital for personal growth and authentic connection with others.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a team-building seminar, I used this quote to inspire teammates to focus on building relationships rather than just winning.
More from Tony Dungy
All quotes →Football is a vocation and an opportunity for ministry. But it's not a life.
When Jim Irsay called me five years ago, he told me, 'I want you to be our coach and help us win the Super Bowl.' He told me, 'We are going win it the right way. We are going to win it with great guys; win it with class and dignity. We are going to win it in a way that will make Indianapolis proud.'
People look at me and see a calm, cool guy on the sidelines and I want them to know that my Christian faith affects my coaching and everything I do.
God’s definition of success is really one of significance-the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. The significance doesn’t show up in won-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. It’s found in the hearts and lives of those we’ve come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived.
Our goal was to win, to win a Super Bowl, but also to win in the right way, to be role models to our community, to represent Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the National Football League.
Similar quotes
Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom. The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become. Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become.
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
There are lots of good reasons to abandon a project. Having a little competition is not one of them.
If I have to work hard or think hard or just copy somebody else that's doing it better - whatever it takes, I'm going to find that solution. That's the drive that keeps me going.
I've often thought that when something is hard for you, whether it's going to law school or anything else that challenges you, that's probably what you should do.
You don't save a pitcher for tomorrow. Tomorrow it may rain.