--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mental Toughness is doing the right thing…" description: "\"Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it's not the best thing for you\" — Bill Belichick" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/bill-belichick-4882_basketball_mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thin_1816848.png" --- # Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team… ![“Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it's not the best thing for you” quote by Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/bill-belichick-4882_basketball_mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thin_1816848.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/bill-belichick-4882_basketball_mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thin_1816848.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/bill-belichick-4882_basketball_mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thin_1816848.png) > “Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it's not the best thing for you” [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True team strength means choosing collective benefit over personal gain, even when difficult. **In simple terms:** Team success over personal gain. Key Takeaway Put team first in tough decisions. Themes leadership teamwork integrity Mood determined serious Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - sports strategy - corporate governance - project management Key Concepts Collective responsibility ethical decision‑making Questions to Reflect On - When have you prioritized team over self? - What are the costs of self‑interest? A Different Perspective Personal sacrifice may cause resentment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Best things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-things/) [Doing the right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-the-right-thing/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental/) [Mental toughness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-toughness/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-thing/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Team Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team-best/) [Toughness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toughness/) [Toughness Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toughness-doing-2161434/) ## Related quotes > [“To succeed you must do the work. To do the work takes character. To keep doing it takes mental toughness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james-moore/to-succeed-you-must-do-the-work-to-do-the-work-takes-character-to/) [William James Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james-moore/) > [The Special Ops community has always been about mental toughness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-webb/the-special-ops-community-has-always-been-about-mental-toughness/) [Brandon Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-webb/) > [“What's fascinating about this list is that ten people with a a slew of medals among them decided that the two most important determinants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-lang/what-s-fascinating-about-this-list-is-that-ten-people-with-a-a-slew/) [Amanda Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-lang/) > [Every quarterback can throw a ball; every running back can run; every receiver is fast; but that mental toughness that you talk about translates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brady/every-quarterback-can-throw-a-ball-every-running-back-can-run-every/) [Tom Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brady/) > [The 3 key components for success are as follows: Psychological Preparedness Physical Conditioning Mental Toughness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-norris/the-3-key-components-for-success-are-as-follows-psychological/) [Chuck Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-norris/) > [Mental toughness is spartanism with qualities of sacrifice, self-denial, dedication. It is fearlessness, and it is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/mental-toughness-is-spartanism-with-qualities-of-sacrifice-self/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [“Being physically tough is measured by how many fights you win, but mental toughness is measured by how you react when all the chips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-bayani/being-physically-tough-is-measured-by-how-many-fights-you-win-but/) [Benjamin Bayani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-bayani/) > [“Mental toughness isn’t about how you feel, it’s about what you do despite how you feel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glody-kikonga/mental-toughness-isn-t-about-how-you-feel-it-s-about-what-you-do/) [Glody Kikonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glody-kikonga/) > [Mental toughness must be developed before you start fighting because you don't want to be that guy who quits in the ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/mental-toughness-must-be-developed-before-you-start-fighting-because/) [Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/) > [Curiosity, rationalization, and laziness are no match against courage, self-control, and mental toughness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/curiosity-rationalization-and-laziness-are-no-match-against-courage/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [Mental toughness is many things. It is humility because it behooves all of us to remember that simplicity is the sign of greatness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/mental-toughness-is-many-things-it-is-humility-because-it-behooves/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [I think we've bounced back and really been resilient. Even after a bad period, we take over and we seem like we're on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-fisher/i-think-we-ve-bounced-back-and-really-been-resilient-even-after-a-bad/) [Mike Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-fisher/) > [Mental Toughness: The ability to consistently perform toward the upper range of your talent and skill regardless of the competitive circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-loehr/mental-toughness-the-ability-to-consistently-perform-toward-the-upper/) [James E. Loehr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-loehr/) > [Brains without competitive hearts are rudderless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/brains-without-competitive-hearts-are-rudderless/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [It's amazing how much of this is mental. Everybody's in good shape. Everybody knows how to ski. Everybody has good equipment. When it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-crist/it-s-amazing-how-much-of-this-is-mental-everybody-s-in-good-shape/) [Reggie Crist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-crist/) ## More by Bill Belichick > [You have to go with the person who you have the most confidence in, the most consistent. And if it doesn't work, it doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/you-have-to-go-with-the-person-who-you-have-the-most-confidence-in/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [Every single player matters. Every single player can change the course of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/every-single-player-matters-every-single-player-can-change-the-course/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [That's part of the game...Sometimes that stuff happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/that-s-part-of-the-game-sometimes-that-stuff-happens/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [Game management, game decisions, adjustments, seeing things during games - it's all important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/game-management-game-decisions-adjustments-seeing-things-during-games/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [Bavaro's probably as tough of a - physically and mentally as tough a football player as I've ever coached. So, I would put him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/bavaro-s-probably-as-tough-of-a-physically-and-mentally-as-tough-a/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [I have all the respect in the world for Rodney Harrison. In terms of his commitment to the game, his work ethic and his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/i-have-all-the-respect-in-the-world-for-rodney-harrison-in-terms-of/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [We never use the condition of the footballs as an excuse. We play with whatever or kick with whatever we have to use and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/we-never-use-the-condition-of-the-footballs-as-an-excuse-we-play-with/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [A lot of times a player has a lot of versatility. Thats really what their strength is and what their role is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/a-lot-of-times-a-player-has-a-lot-of-versatility-thats-really-what/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [One thing that could be a problem is breaking old habits. It's not that you don't understand what the new responsibilities or plays are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/one-thing-that-could-be-a-problem-is-breaking-old-habits-it-s-not/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [We'll continue to work hard to do a better job in every area going forward. I don't know where those little things will come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/we-ll-continue-to-work-hard-to-do-a-better-job-in-every-area-going/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [We're always trying to do a better job on that and that's what we'll continue to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/we-re-always-trying-to-do-a-better-job-on-that-and-that-s-what-we-ll/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [I think that we'll continue to try to look at ourselves in the mirror and see where we can do a better job, maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/i-think-that-we-ll-continue-to-try-to-look-at-ourselves-in-the-mirror/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [It's time for the New England Patriots to move on and that's what our job is. And as I said, our goal is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/it-s-time-for-the-new-england-patriots-to-move-on-and-that-s-what-our/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [My job as a coach is to make good decisions. It's not to go out there and block or tackle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/my-job-as-a-coach-is-to-make-good-decisions-it-s-not-to-go-out-there/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) > [I'm sure that any current or past player of mine would tell you that the balls we practice with are as bad as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/i-m-sure-that-any-current-or-past-player-of-mine-would-tell-you-that/) [Bill Belichick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) [Explore all 105 Bill Belichick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/) ## More Basketball quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/) [Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) [Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it's not the best thing for you", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bill Belichick" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thing-for-the-team-when-it-s-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Basketball" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thing-for-the-team-when-it-s-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/bill-belichick-4882_basketball_mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thin_1816848.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/bill-belichick-4882_basketball_mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thin_1816848.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/bill-belichick-4882_basketball_mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thin_1816848.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it's not the best thing for you” — Bill Belichick", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bill Belichick", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-belichick/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Mental Toughness is doing the right...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thing-for-the-team-when-it-s-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-belichick/mental-toughness-is-doing-the-right-thing-for-the-team-when-it-s-not/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```