Asked Quote by Carol Dweck
““He didn’t ask for mistake-free games. He didn’t demand that his players never lose. He asked for full preparation and full effort from them. “Did I win? Did I lose? Those are the wrong questions. The correct question is: Did I make my best effort?” If so, he says, “You may be outscored but you will never lose. ””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Motivational Talk on Effort, 2015
True success comes from giving one's best effort, not from outcomes; the right question is about effort, not win or loss.
In simple terms: Effort matters more than results.
Focus on effort, not outcome.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- sports coaching
- education
- personal development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does giving your best effort look like?
- How can you shift focus from results to effort?
Outcome‑oriented thinking can cause anxiety and discouragement.