--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's never going to be a decathlon…" description: "\"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 dissatisfied in s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/307/ashton-eaton-26978_decathlon_there-s-never-going-to-be-a-decathlon-th_1676310.png" --- # There's never going to be a decathlon that you're going to… ![“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 dissatisfied in something, and that always draws you back to try to retry that the next time you do a decathlon. It's like you go for the perfect 10.” quote by Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/307/ashton-eaton-26978_decathlon_there-s-never-going-to-be-a-decathlon-th_1676310.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/307/ashton-eaton-26978_decathlon_there-s-never-going-to-be-a-decathlon-th_1676310.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/307/ashton-eaton-26978_decathlon_there-s-never-going-to-be-a-decathlon-th_1676310.png) > “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 dissatisfied in something, and that always draws you back to try to retry that the next time you do a decathlon. It's like you go for the perfect 10.” [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. The pursuit of perfection in complex goals inevitably leaves some aspects unsatisfied, driving continual improvement. **In simple terms:** Perfection is unattainable; keep striving. Key Takeaway Embrace imperfection and keep trying. Themes growth perfection resilience Mood determined reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - decathlon preparation - personal development - skill mastery Key Concepts goal setting continuous improvement athletic training Questions to Reflect On - What aspect of your goals feels incomplete? - How can you use dissatisfaction as motivation? A Different Perspective Even perfect attempts leave gaps, causing frustration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Decathlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decathlon/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Next time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-time/) [Olympics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympics/) ## Related quotes > [The great thing about this is, and not to pump my own tires, but I feel like I'm not maximized yet. I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/the-great-thing-about-this-is-and-not-to-pump-my-own-tires-but-i-feel/) [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/) > [The only thing I did is, I wore the same pair of socks in every decathlon I was ever in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlyn-jenner/the-only-thing-i-did-is-i-wore-the-same-pair-of-socks-in-every/) [Caitlyn Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlyn-jenner/) > [Before the decathlon I'm constantly trying to convince myself that I want to do this, that I want to take myself to that place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-clay/before-the-decathlon-i-m-constantly-trying-to-convince-myself-that-i/) [Bryan Clay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-clay/) > [When I lost my decathlon world record I took it like a man. I only cried for ten hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/when-i-lost-my-decathlon-world-record-i-took-it-like-a-man-i-only/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [I don't think anyone chooses the decathlon as much as it chooses you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-clay/i-don-t-think-anyone-chooses-the-decathlon-as-much-as-it-chooses-you/) [Bryan Clay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-clay/) > [Sometimes you have to resist working on your strengths in favour of your weaknesses. The decathlon requires a wide range of skills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/sometimes-you-have-to-resist-working-on-your-strengths-in-favour-of/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [It took me time to realize that the men who won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon are just men, just like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-o-brien/it-took-me-time-to-realize-that-the-men-who-won-olympic-gold-medals/) [Dan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-o-brien/) > [It hurts every day when you practice hard. Plus, when this decathlon is over, I got the rest of my life to recuperate. Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-jenner/it-hurts-every-day-when-you-practice-hard-plus-when-this-decathlon-is/) [Bruce Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-jenner/) > [To me, the decathlon is its own little society and I am part of that culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-o-brien/to-me-the-decathlon-is-its-own-little-society-and-i-am-part-of-that/) [Dan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-o-brien/) > [I called Daley Thompson after the Games of '84, when he won. He'd had this phenomenal decathlon for nine events - and then he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlyn-jenner/i-called-daley-thompson-after-the-games-of-84-when-he-won-he-d-had/) [Caitlyn Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlyn-jenner/) > [Speed is more important than endurance in the decathlon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlyn-jenner/speed-is-more-important-than-endurance-in-the-decathlon/) [Caitlyn Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlyn-jenner/) > [If I were to compare the Olympic decathlon to fatherhood, I would say fatherhood is a lot tougher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlyn-jenner/if-i-were-to-compare-the-olympic-decathlon-to-fatherhood-i-would-say/) [Caitlyn Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlyn-jenner/) > [Think of the life of the working woman as the decathlon. If you even finish it's a miracle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-dale/think-of-the-life-of-the-working-woman-as-the-decathlon-if-you-even/) Barbara Dale > [When Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner asked a roomful of Olympic hopefuls if they had a list of written goals, every one raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/when-olympic-decathlon-gold-medalist-bruce-jenner-asked-a-roomful-of/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) ## 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/) > [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 knew I could compete with most people in high school. It didn't quite give me an attitude, but it made me think I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/i-knew-i-could-compete-with-most-people-in-high-school-it-didn-t/) [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 Decathlon quotes > [When Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner asked a roomful of Olympic hopefuls if they had a list of written goals, every one raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/when-olympic-decathlon-gold-medalist-bruce-jenner-asked-a-roomful-of/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) > [Think of the life of the working woman as the decathlon. If you even finish it's a miracle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-dale/think-of-the-life-of-the-working-woman-as-the-decathlon-if-you-even/) Barbara Dale > [If I were to compare the Olympic decathlon to fatherhood, I would say fatherhood is a lot tougher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlyn-jenner/if-i-were-to-compare-the-olympic-decathlon-to-fatherhood-i-would-say/) [Caitlyn Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlyn-jenner/) > [Speed is more important than endurance in the decathlon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlyn-jenner/speed-is-more-important-than-endurance-in-the-decathlon/) [Caitlyn Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlyn-jenner/) > [I called Daley Thompson after the Games of '84, when he won. He'd had this phenomenal decathlon for nine events - and then he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlyn-jenner/i-called-daley-thompson-after-the-games-of-84-when-he-won-he-d-had/) [Caitlyn Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlyn-jenner/) > [To me, the decathlon is its own little society and I am part of that culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-o-brien/to-me-the-decathlon-is-its-own-little-society-and-i-am-part-of-that/) [Dan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-o-brien/) > [It hurts every day when you practice hard. Plus, when this decathlon is over, I got the rest of my life to recuperate. Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-jenner/it-hurts-every-day-when-you-practice-hard-plus-when-this-decathlon-is/) [Bruce Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-jenner/) > [It took me time to realize that the men who won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon are just men, just like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-o-brien/it-took-me-time-to-realize-that-the-men-who-won-olympic-gold-medals/) [Dan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-o-brien/) > [Sometimes you have to resist working on your strengths in favour of your weaknesses. The decathlon requires a wide range of skills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/sometimes-you-have-to-resist-working-on-your-strengths-in-favour-of/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [I don't think anyone chooses the decathlon as much as it chooses you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-clay/i-don-t-think-anyone-chooses-the-decathlon-as-much-as-it-chooses-you/) [Bryan Clay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-clay/) > [When I lost my decathlon world record I took it like a man. I only cried for ten hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/when-i-lost-my-decathlon-world-record-i-took-it-like-a-man-i-only/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [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/) > [Before the decathlon I'm constantly trying to convince myself that I want to do this, that I want to take myself to that place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-clay/before-the-decathlon-i-m-constantly-trying-to-convince-myself-that-i/) [Bryan Clay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-clay/) > [The only thing I did is, I wore the same pair of socks in every decathlon I was ever in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlyn-jenner/the-only-thing-i-did-is-i-wore-the-same-pair-of-socks-in-every/) [Caitlyn Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlyn-jenner/) > [I could be winning the decathlon in high school, which I've won twice, yet, if my dad is in the audience, 'Oh look! It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesco-quinn/i-could-be-winning-the-decathlon-in-high-school-which-i-ve-won-twice/) [Francesco Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesco-quinn/) [Browse all 30 Decathlon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decathlon/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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 dissatisfied in something, and that always draws you back to try to retry that the next time you do a decathlon. 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