Other nights ... I visualize to the point that I know exactly what I want to do: dive, glide, stroke, flip, reach the wall, hit the split time to the hundredth, then swim back again for as many times as I need to finish the race.
Interpretation
This quote expresses the importance of visualization and practice in achieving one's goals.
Michael Phelps emphasizes the power of visualization in the pursuit of excellence, describing how he mentally rehearses each aspect of his race. By imagining the precise actions he needs to take, from diving to reaching the wall and hitting split times, he prepares himself mentally, which contributes to his physical performance and success in swimming.
In practice
In a motivational speech to athletes about the importance of mental preparation.
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.
The message of frustration is an exciting signal. it means that your brain beleives you could be doing better than you currently are.
Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.
In life, winning and losing will both happen. What is never acceptable is quitting.
'If only' is the excuse of the loser; 'I can' is the affirmation of the winner.
People who make a difference never wait for just the right time. They know that it will never arrive.
Never, ever, ever think that your life is over, but know always that each day, each hour, each moment is another beginning, another opportunity, another chance to re-create yourself anew.
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