As quickly as you can go 4-1, you can go 1-4. And the whole objective is not to get too high and not to get too low. It's one thing to tell somebody that and explain it, but it's another thing to really buy in, to have felt that and understand what it means to stay even-keel. That's what you have to be in this league.
Interpretation
Maintain balance and composure regardless of success or failure.
Sue Bird emphasizes the importance of emotional stability in competitive environments, highlighting that extremes in feelings—whether from winning or losing—can disrupt focus and performance. To truly thrive, one must internalize the concept of staying even-keeled and recognize that both triumphs and setbacks are part of the journey.
In practice
Sharing this quote during a sports team's motivational talk after a win or loss.
A lot of us players, if you were to ask them, feel like they have to play overseas. Why? 'Why not? Might as well do it while I can.' For a while, I felt that way - I've got to make the most money that I can. Now, do I feel like I could still play overseas? Absolutely. But I don't feel that pressure anymore.
All of the teams in this league that have won multiple championships, they didn't come out the gate winning. Sometimes you have to take those hits to understand what it takes to win.
Homophobia hurts our league. Racism hurts it. Sexism hurts it.
We should reward people, not ridicule them, for thinking the impossible.
Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little.
A poor self-image is the magnifying glass that can transform a trivial mistake or an imperfection into an overwhelming symbol of personal defeat.
I've learned that I must find positive outlets for anger or it will destroy me. There is a certain anger: it reaches such intensity that to express it fully would require homicidal rage--self destructive, destroy the world rage--and its flame burns because the world is so unjust. I have to try to find a way to channel that anger to the positive, and the highest positive is forgiveness.
Fill what is empty, empty what is full, and scratch where it itches.
We are all important, but we are not indispensable.
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