Success is terrifying. Like happiness, it is often appreciated in retrospect. It's only later that you place it in perspective. Years from now, I'll look back and say, ‘God, wasn't it wonderful.’
Interpretation
Success can be frightening and often feels more rewarding when we reflect on it later.
In this quote, Julie Andrews expresses the idea that success can be daunting and overwhelming in the moment, similar to happiness. It often takes time and reflection to truly appreciate our achievements, suggesting that the appreciation of success increases when viewed in hindsight, allowing us to recognize its significance more clearly.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a motivational speech about the journey of success.
I've learned a lot of things about myself through singing. I used to have a certain dislike of the audience, not as individual people, but as a giant body who was judging me. Of course, it wasn`t really them judging me. It was me judging me. Once I got past that fear, it freed me up, not just when I was performing but in other parts of my life.
Singing has been a cherished gift, and my inability to sing has been a devastating blow.
My mother was terribly important to me, and I know how much I yearned for her in my youth, but I don't think I truly trusted her.
I come from a long line of below-stairs maids and gardeners. Good ol' peasant stock. My mother and her sister made a quantum leap out of that life. Then I made another quantum leap.
Every time I go out to perform, believe me. You never lose that fear of, 'I hope I do it right. I hope I don't fall flat on my face. I hope this will be good for them.'
I'd say almost that words come first, melody second.
The value of achievement lies in the achieving.
Focus on building the best possible business. If you are great, people will notice and opportunities will appear.
Focus is scary—until you realize that it only means turning your back on markets you could never have anyway. Sharp focus on jobs that customers are trying to get done holds the promise of greatly improving the odds of success in new-product development.
Right up until the time I retired at age 37, I felt like there were still things that I could do better.
Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street.
The culture precedes positive results. It doesn't get tacked on as an afterthought on your way to the victory stand. Champions behave like champions before they're champions: they have a winning standard of performance before they are winners.
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