The only person who can stop you from reaching your goals is you.
Interpretation
You are your own greatest obstacle to achieving your goals.
This quote emphasizes the idea that self-doubt and personal limitations are often the biggest hurdles in the pursuit of one's objectives. It encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and mindset, suggesting that overcoming internal barriers is key to success.
In practice
During a motivational speech at a school assembly.
Winning is great, but being able to finish my last Olympic Games on American soil was very important. Even though I was injured, I didn't let my psyche get the best of me and cause me to doubt myself, so I was willing to pull every muscle in my body in '96 in order to get the job done and I came away with the bronze medal.
We live in a world where sports have the potential to bridge the gap between racism, sexism and discrimination. The 2012 Olympic Games was a great start but hopefully what these games taught us is that if women are given an opportunity on an equal playing field the possibilities for women are endless.
The 2012 London Olympic Games fostered a generation of hope. I witnessed women participating for the very first time, representing every nation.
It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.
I set my sights on making an Olympic team, not realizing how tough it was going to be.
There are many women who came before me who didn't really have the same opportunities that I have had. That's why I always wanted to be a great ambassador - not only today's generation - but for the women who really didn't have a voice, but who paved the way for me.
Difficulties increase the nearer we get to the goal.
For me, it always goes back to something I learned in basketball. There's winning and there's losing, and in life you have to know they both will happen. But what's never been acceptable to me is quitting.
Attitude is a choice. What you think you can do, whether positive or negative, confident or scared, will most likely happen.
Keep your eyes on the finish line and not on the turmoil around you.
Make yourself a "capacity" and I will make myself a "torrent."
Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, in the market, the street, the office, the school, the home, just as faithfully as if we stood in the front rank of some great battle, and knew that victory for mankind depended on our bravery, strength, and skill. When we do that, the humblest of us will be serving in that great army which achieves the welfare of the world.
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