When you're 0-2 in the Super Bowl, they say unkind things about you. They say, 'He can't win the big one.' And that's the worst thing that can be said about you.
Don ShulaRead
Strive for perfection, but settle for excellence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Aim for the highest standards, but accept high-quality outcomes.
This quote emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious goals and striving to reach them. However, it also encourages individuals to recognize and appreciate the value of excellence, even if it doesn't meet the unattainable ideal of perfection, reminding us that progress and quality should be celebrated.
Themes
PerfectionExcellenceMotivationGoalsAchievement
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting, you can inspire colleagues by reminding them to strive for perfection while recognizing the excellence of their efforts.
More from Don Shula
All quotes βThe one thing that I know is that you win with good people.
Don ShulaRead
The problem with most leaders today is they don't stand for anything. Leadership implies movement toward something, and convictions provide that direction. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything
Don ShulaRead
Failure isn't fatal, and success isn't final.
Don ShulaRead
The thing we found out was, when you get to a Super Bowl, both teams are treated the same, talked about in glowing terms. But when the game is over, only the team that won matters.
Don ShulaRead
You know it's only 50 miles from Grand River to Canton, but it took me 67 years to travel that distance.
Don ShulaRead
Similar quotes
Athletes need to enjoy their training. They don't enjoy going down to the track with a coach making them do repetitions until they're exhausted. From enjoyment comes the will to win.
Arthur LydiardRead
All achievement, no matter what may be its nature, or its purpose, must begin with an intense, burning desire for something definite.
Napoleon HillRead
Training gives us an outlet for suppressed energies created by stress and thus tones the spirit just as exercise conditions the body.
Arnold SchwarzeneggerRead
Everybody has a gameplan until he gets hit
Mike TysonRead
Work unto death! I am with you, and when I am gone, my spirit will work with you. This life comes and goes; wealth, fame, enjoyments are only of a few days. It is better, far better to die on the field of duty, preaching the truth, than to die like a worldly worm. Advance!
Swami VivekanandaRead
I've been saying to people for a long time, 'If you're not doing something you're tremendously excited about, and you're not feeling passionate about it, you're compromising yourself every day.'
Chris GardnerRead