4 Michael Phelps Quotes to Keep You Motivated

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

4 Michael Phelps Quotes to Keep You Motivated

Michael Phelps knows better than most that success doesn’t happen over night. Although he emerged as a standout at an early age, he put in the necessary work over the course of his career to become the most-decorated Olympian in history. He knows the power of hard work and determination, and he knows where that can take a steadfast person.

Here are a quartet of quotes from Phelps’ career that can be used as motivation, and which fit life goals and pursuits.

1. “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.”

phelps-caeleb-dressel-celebrate-400-free-relay-win-2016-rio-olympics

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

As a swimmer, one of the worst feelings is finishing a big race and feeling as if you weren’t fully prepared for it. You tell yourself, “if only I worked on my finishes more,” or, “I wish I listened to Coach and practiced my pace during practice.”

There’s a distinct feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know that your performance wasn’t where it should have been, and you know the exact reason why. To prevent these feelings and all of the “what ifs,” do yourself a favor and give your best effort. Work on what you know you should work on. You will thank yourself later.

2. “I think goals should never be easy. They should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time.”

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

From time to time, it’s easy to find yourself in a funk of sorts. Coming off of some harsh training, it’s easy to let how your body feels take over. You’re sore, tired, and wondering if taper is ever going to come.

But, amidst this inevitable time, it’s crucial to not forget why you’re doing this in the first place. In the beginning of the season, whether you wrote it down or just kept it in the back of your mind, you made a goal on what you want out of this season. Now is not the time to forget about it, but the time to chase after it even more.

3. “If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.”

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

This is true for any point of the season. Getting up at the crack of dawn when it’s freezing outside is not most people’s ideal pastime. Your non-swimmer friends look at you like your nuts when you tell them your practice schedule. “I don’t know how you do that,” is what they usually say.

Sometimes you don’t know how you do it either. But you do, and you don’t question it. And that makes all the difference. Those early morning lifts and Saturday morning practices are important pieces to the overall big picture that is your swimming success.

4. “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”

Photo Courtesy: International Business Times

Last, but certainly not least: arguably the most famous Phelps quote of all time and a definite fan favorite. It may seem cliché at this point as we’ve heard it (and read it) over and over in our swimming careers.

But, it is so beyond true. The only true limit that’s out there, as Michael Phelps notes, is ourselves. Nothing else is stopping us from reaching our goals and our dreams. Stay motivated, stay hungry, stay inspired.

All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.

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laura tidwell

3 years ago

Good Article!

3 years ago

Love these quotes!

3 years ago

Very inspirational quotes and the narrative surrounding each quote is nicely captured in this article.

Peter Neumer

3 years ago

Wonderful words and actions to live by……

Emily

1 month ago

I am a swimmer an these push me even harder

Josh De Groot

1 month ago

These quotes push me harder to be the best swimmer I can be.