--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I knew I could compete with most people…" description: "\"I knew I could compete with most people in high school. It didn't quite give me an attitude, but it made me think I didn't have to try hard sometimes.\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/028/ashton-eaton-26978_attitude_i-knew-i-could-compete-with-most-people_1881010.png" --- # I knew I could compete with most people in high school. It… ![“I knew I could compete with most people in high school. It didn't quite give me an attitude, but it made me think I didn't have to try hard sometimes.” quote by Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/028/ashton-eaton-26978_attitude_i-knew-i-could-compete-with-most-people_1881010.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/028/ashton-eaton-26978_attitude_i-knew-i-could-compete-with-most-people_1881010.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/028/ashton-eaton-26978_attitude_i-knew-i-could-compete-with-most-people_1881010.png) > “I knew I could compete with most people in high school. It didn't quite give me an attitude, but it made me think I didn't have to try hard sometimes.” [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Confidence in one’s abilities can lead to complacency, reducing effort and potentially limiting growth. **In simple terms:** I thought I didn’t need to try hard. Key Takeaway Balance confidence with continuous effort and improvement. Themes confidence self-efficacy growth mindset Mood reflective motivational cautious Type personal psychological When to use this quote - training sessions - academic pursuits - career development - creative projects Key Concepts overconfidence motivation performance psychology Questions to Reflect On - When does confidence become complacency? - How can you stay motivated despite past success? A Different Perspective Overconfidence may cause missed opportunities for learning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [When I started to play consistently and produce consistently, that's when I knew that I could compete and do well in the big leagues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-berkman/when-i-started-to-play-consistently-and-produce-consistently-that-s/) [Lance Berkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-berkman/) > [I knew that I would hang around. I knew that I could compete. But to really think about 38 fights, 13 years - I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-knew-that-i-would-hang-around-i-knew-that-i-could-compete-but-to/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [I think art was the one thing my high school didn't give. And I think that was probably one reason why I was interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-lichtenstein/i-think-art-was-the-one-thing-my-high-school-didn-t-give-and-i-think/) [Roy Lichtenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-lichtenstein/) > [I had no idea what art was. There was one art class in high school, but it didn't make a big impression on me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claes-oldenburg/i-had-no-idea-what-art-was-there-was-one-art-class-in-high-school-but/) [Claes Oldenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claes-oldenburg/) > [I sort of tried to get a basketball scholarship out of high school, but that didn't happen. Then I started working for UPS, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-holbrook/i-sort-of-tried-to-get-a-basketball-scholarship-out-of-high-school/) [Boyd Holbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-holbrook/) > [Although in skating you compete with other people, anyone who achieves a certain level of success is first and foremost competing against themselves. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-wang/although-in-skating-you-compete-with-other-people-anyone-who-achieves-2/) [Vera Wang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-wang/) > [I just started training with the best fighters in the world trying to get better. I was a pretty good athlete so I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-lawler/i-just-started-training-with-the-best-fighters-in-the-world-trying-to/) [Robbie Lawler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-lawler/) > [“Successful people compete against themselves, not against other people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/successful-people-compete-against-themselves-not-against-other-people/) [J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/) > [People have got to stop trying to compete with other people's lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-have-got-to-stop-trying-to-compete-with-other-people-s-lives/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I came to New York, I began to meet the people who became the most famous artists of our time. I was insecure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-flynt/when-i-came-to-new-york-i-began-to-meet-the-people-who-became-the/) [Henry Flynt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-flynt/) > [I don't compete with other people in the industry, I compete with myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/i-don-t-compete-with-other-people-in-the-industry-i-compete-with/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [There's so many wonderful gospel people out there, and I don't necessarily want to compete with those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/there-s-so-many-wonderful-gospel-people-out-there-and-i-don-t/) [Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/) > [Although in skating you compete with other people, anyone who achieves a certain level of success is first and foremost competing against themselves. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-wang/although-in-skating-you-compete-with-other-people-anyone-who-achieves/) [Vera Wang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-wang/) > [I know that this sounds grand, but I don't try to compete with other people. I like to think there's enough pie for everyone.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-know-that-this-sounds-grand-but-i-don-t-try-to-compete-with-other/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [I refuse to compete with other people. I am only in competition with myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-grossman/i-refuse-to-compete-with-other-people-i-am-only-in-competition-with/) [Leslie Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-grossman/) ## More by Ashton Eaton > [I won't back down. I get a satisfaction from being tested and defeating the test.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/i-won-t-back-down-i-get-a-satisfaction-from-being-tested-and/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [I'm not maximized yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/i-m-not-maximized-yet/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [You can't really explain competing in Olympic event to someone. You can say, "Oh, that was really tough." And that literally means nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/you-can-t-really-explain-competing-in-olympic-event-to-someone-you/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [If you have done something once, you can do it again or you can do it better. The beauty is the pursuit of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/if-you-have-done-something-once-you-can-do-it-again-or-you-can-do-it/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [I think a challenge for myself is to see how many times I can get above 9,000. That would be a good challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/i-think-a-challenge-for-myself-is-to-see-how-many-times-i-can-get/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [The thing I like about decathlon is also the thing I dislike: It's the maximum challenge, but also the maximum frustration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/the-thing-i-like-about-decathlon-is-also-the-thing-i-dislike-it-s-the/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [It's important not to make the gold medal bigger than it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/it-s-important-not-to-make-the-gold-medal-bigger-than-it-is/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [There's never going to be a decathlon that you're going to have 10 events that your satisfied with. You're always, always going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/there-s-never-going-to-be-a-decathlon-that-you-re-going-to-have-10/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [I want to see where I measure up against everyone in the world and everyone who has ever competed in the sport, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/i-want-to-see-where-i-measure-up-against-everyone-in-the-world-and/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [To do the best that I possibly could in my world makes me pretty happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/to-do-the-best-that-i-possibly-could-in-my-world-makes-me-pretty-happy/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [I feel it's right for me to wear a Canadian flag baseball hat. Regardless of the fact that my wife is Canadian and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/i-feel-it-s-right-for-me-to-wear-a-canadian-flag-baseball-hat/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [When I see my mom in the stands, it always pushes me to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/when-i-see-my-mom-in-the-stands-it-always-pushes-me-to-succeed/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [The desire definitely comes from within. There are only a few people who make it to this level and those are the ones who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/the-desire-definitely-comes-from-within-there-are-only-a-few-people/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [I wouldn't say there was a moment of realization when I wanted to be a runner; it was always just something I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/i-wouldn-t-say-there-was-a-moment-of-realization-when-i-wanted-to-be/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [Competition is pretty much the essence of everything, it gives humans drive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/competition-is-pretty-much-the-essence-of-everything-it-gives-humans/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) [Explore all 21 Ashton Eaton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I knew I could compete with most people in high school. 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