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In the end, it's extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more that that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don't win, how can you lose?

Jesse Owens#29

SportsDisciplineEffortSuccessCharacterWinning

About this quote

What does it mean?
Winning requires fundamentals, desire, discipline, and love for others; even without a win, these qualities ensure you cannot truly lose.
In plain terms
Effort and character matter more than just winning.
What can you take from it?
Character and effort define true success regardless of outcome.

Where it applies

  • competitive sports
  • career challenges
  • personal goals

Putting it to work

  • practice fundamentals
  • develop discipline
  • respect opponents

Questions to consider

  • What makes you feel like a winner?
  • How do you handle losing?

Another view

In some contexts, the win itself is the only metric that counts.

More from Jesse Owens

  1. If you don't try to win you might as well hold the Olympics in somebody's back yard. The thrill of competing carries with it the thrill of a gold medal. One wa…

    Permalink to quote #28
  2. Life doesn't give you all the practice races you need.

    Permalink to quote #30
  3. I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible. From the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up.

    Permalink to quote #27

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