--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think if I ever stopped pushing myself…" description: "\"I think if I ever stopped pushing myself, I would revert quickly to quite repetitive, restrictive behaviour. But in pushing myself and concentrating on..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/daniel-tammet-8321_behaviour_i-think-if-i-ever-stopped-pushing-myself_1714315.png" --- # I think if I ever stopped pushing myself, I would revert… ![“I think if I ever stopped pushing myself, I would revert quickly to quite repetitive, restrictive behaviour. But in pushing myself and concentrating on what I can do, I think I can contribute to society. And that gives me the desire to keep pushing, to see what I'm capable of. The thing to do is…” quote by Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/daniel-tammet-8321_behaviour_i-think-if-i-ever-stopped-pushing-myself_1714315.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/daniel-tammet-8321_behaviour_i-think-if-i-ever-stopped-pushing-myself_1714315.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/daniel-tammet-8321_behaviour_i-think-if-i-ever-stopped-pushing-myself_1714315.png) > “I think if I ever stopped pushing myself, I would revert quickly to quite repetitive, restrictive behaviour. But in pushing myself and concentrating on what I can do, I think I can contribute to society. And that gives me the desire to keep pushing, to see what I'm capable of. The thing to do is not to stop.” [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑discipline prevents falling into limiting habits; continual growth fuels societal contribution and personal drive. **In simple terms:** Keep pushing to avoid stagnation and help others. Key Takeaway Never stop challenging yourself. Themes self‑improvement purpose contribution Mood motivational reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - career development - personal projects - community volunteering Key Concepts growth mindset habit formation social impact Questions to Reflect On - What habits keep you from stagnating? - How do you measure your contribution? A Different Perspective May lead to burnout if not balanced with rest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behaviour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behaviour/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) ## Related quotes > [“She stopped pushing but declared; "Prentice, I know how this works. Sure, she seems fine now. But in fifteen years when she's standing on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/she-stopped-pushing-but-declared-prentice-i-know-how-this-works-sure/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [Stopped pushing on for just a second, then nothing's changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/stopped-pushing-on-for-just-a-second-then-nothing-s-changed/) [Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/) > [When I was a child, my behavior was far from being what most people would label 'intelligent.' It was often limited, repetitive and anti-social.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/when-i-was-a-child-my-behavior-was-far-from-being-what-most-people/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [I'm not sure if I'm most happy when I'm comfortable and content or when I'm pushing myself to the limits. There are such different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/i-m-not-sure-if-i-m-most-happy-when-i-m-comfortable-and-content-or/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [I'm getting older and I guess I was pushing myself too hard; we were doing six shows in a row and all that kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-static/i-m-getting-older-and-i-guess-i-was-pushing-myself-too-hard-we-were/) [Wayne Static](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-static/) > [I don't think I'm generous enough to be the straight guy. I sort of make my own way and make my own statement. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-stephenson/i-don-t-think-i-m-generous-enough-to-be-the-straight-guy-i-sort-of/) [Pamela Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-stephenson/) > [Each time I'm training and sparring, I'm always pushing myself to submit my training partners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetrious-johnson/each-time-i-m-training-and-sparring-i-m-always-pushing-myself-to/) [Demetrious Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetrious-johnson/) > [“Pushing myself, I knew, would cause me serious discomfort. It's a Secret of Adulthood: Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy. When I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/pushing-myself-i-knew-would-cause-me-serious-discomfort-it-s-a-secret/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [You say you know me but you really don't know, With the way I feel its no other way I can let my emotions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/she-s-gone/you-say-you-know-me-but-you-really-don-t-know-with-the-way-i-feel-its/) She's\_gone > [I'm constantly pushing myself to evolve and be a better person and the best that I can be and that pushes me in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-carmouche/i-m-constantly-pushing-myself-to-evolve-and-be-a-better-person-and/) [Liz Carmouche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-carmouche/) > [I'm capable of just putting my butt in a chair and spending nine hours a day studying poker. I took it as a full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-konnikova/i-m-capable-of-just-putting-my-butt-in-a-chair-and-spending-nine/) [Maria Konnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-konnikova/) > [Although we often assume that feelings inspire actions, in fact, actions also inspire feelings. By pushing myself to act happier, I make myself feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/although-we-often-assume-that-feelings-inspire-actions-in-fact/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [People ask why it is I do these things, But they don't know what its like to go to bed and not be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/im-nothing/people-ask-why-it-is-i-do-these-things-but-they-don-t-know-what-its/) Im Nothing > [For me, my career has never been about what I've done. But it's been about becoming, achieving, and pushing myself further.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/for-me-my-career-has-never-been-about-what-i-ve-done-but-it-s-been/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [ I just have to deal with it \[injuries\] if and when problems happen. It's obviously a concern and I've been very careful with my… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-james/i-just-have-to-deal-with-it-injuries-if-and-when-problems-happen-it-s/) [Greg James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-james/) ## More by Daniel Tammet > [It was hard for me to find my voice because I was, for so long, absorbed in my own world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/it-was-hard-for-me-to-find-my-voice-because-i-was-for-so-long/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [When things don't come so naturally to you, you want to persevere, you want to keep pushing yourself to overcome obstacles that prevent you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/when-things-don-t-come-so-naturally-to-you-you-want-to-persevere-you/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [Aesthetic judgments, rather than abstract reasoning, guide and shape the process by which we all come to know what we know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/aesthetic-judgments-rather-than-abstract-reasoning-guide-and-shape/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [I'm very comfortable with the idea of there being late bloomers, and for me, of course, there's no difficulty at all in the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/i-m-very-comfortable-with-the-idea-of-there-being-late-bloomers-and/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [Growing up, I would have to watch the other children and learn from my mistakes. I would have to push myself to overcome the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/growing-up-i-would-have-to-watch-the-other-children-and-learn-from-my/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [I love music. I have a fondness for Chopin, and I very much like his 'Raindrop Prelude.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/i-love-music-i-have-a-fondness-for-chopin-and-i-very-much-like-his/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [My algebra was relatively poor. I found it very difficult to use equations that substituted numbers - to which I had a synesthetic and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/my-algebra-was-relatively-poor-i-found-it-very-difficult-to-use/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [I've got a quiet voice. I think it's because as a child I didn't speak very much. I used to put my fingers in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/i-ve-got-a-quiet-voice-i-think-it-s-because-as-a-child-i-didn-t-speak/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [I feel traveling certainly does broaden the mind. In my case certainly I feel more confident. It gives you a new perspective on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/i-feel-traveling-certainly-does-broaden-the-mind-in-my-case-certainly/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [We know next to nothing with any certainty about Pythagoras, except that he was not really called Pythagoras. The name by which he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/we-know-next-to-nothing-with-any-certainty-about-pythagoras-except/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [Aesthetics - rather than reason - shapes our thought processes. First comes aesthetics, then logic. 'Thinking in Numbers' is not about an attempt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/aesthetics-rather-than-reason-shapes-our-thought-processes-first/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [There are always things I find difficult - being in crowds, remembering faces. I do like routines. I always travel with someone. My life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/there-are-always-things-i-find-difficult-being-in-crowds-remembering/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [One particular aspect of Siddhartha’s revelation of the outside world has always struck me. Quite possibly he lived his first thirty years without any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/one-particular-aspect-of-siddhartha-s-revelation-of-the-outside-world/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [I love books so much. I've read more books than anyone else I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/i-love-books-so-much-i-ve-read-more-books-than-anyone-else-i-know/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [I recited Pi to 22,514 decimal points in five hours and nine minutes. I was able to do this because of weeks of study,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/i-recited-pi-to-22-514-decimal-points-in-five-hours-and-nine-minutes/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) [Explore all 82 Daniel Tammet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) ## More Behaviour quotes > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“Do you keep pace with those around you, or do you decide yourself just how you will live your life? The truth is...only you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/do-you-keep-pace-with-those-around-you-or-do-you-decide-yourself-just/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [I don't see much future for the Americans ... it's a decayed country. And they have their racial problem, and the problem of social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/i-don-t-see-much-future-for-the-americans-it-s-a-decayed-country-and/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [“To live without any regret is to act right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/to-live-without-any-regret-is-to-act-right/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [High testosterone levels have been proven to make men more likely to commit crimes. The tendency in men toward risky behaviour keeps turning up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-stark/high-testosterone-levels-have-been-proven-to-make-men-more-likely-to/) [Rodney Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-stark/) > [No one likes to admit they are racist or bear prejudices. Nor do they even like to be open and honest when they witness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-jacques/no-one-likes-to-admit-they-are-racist-or-bear-prejudices-nor-do-they/) [Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/) > [I think it's a very central tenet to it yes, it is. I can't bear it, I can't bear inequality, I can't bear bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-suzman/i-think-it-s-a-very-central-tenet-to-it-yes-it-is-i-can-t-bear-it-i/) [Janet Suzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-suzman/) > [Look, I was only given a year or two to come up with tunes for this record, and when all but eight of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-gorrie/look-i-was-only-given-a-year-or-two-to-come-up-with-tunes-for-this/) Alan Gorrie > [Behaviour is a mirror in which everyone shows his image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinesh/behaviour-is-a-mirror-in-which-everyone-shows-his-image/) [Vinesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinesh/) > [There's a wow factor associated with my name. It could be due to my work as well as my behaviour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prosenjit-chatterjee/there-s-a-wow-factor-associated-with-my-name-it-could-be-due-to-my/) [Prosenjit Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prosenjit-chatterjee/) > [The individualism of current economic theory is manifest in the purely self-interested behaviour it generally assumes. It has no real place for fairness, malevolence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-e-daly/the-individualism-of-current-economic-theory-is-manifest-in-the/) [Herman E. Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-e-daly/) > [“There's no difference between a madman and a professor...it should be clear to you in the way they dress, act and think.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/there-s-no-difference-between-a-madman-and-a-professor-it-should-be/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Modern man, seeking a middle position in the evaluation of sense impression and thought, can, following Plato , interpret the process of understanding nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-pauli/modern-man-seeking-a-middle-position-in-the-evaluation-of-sense/) [Wolfgang Pauli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-pauli/) > [“I think this is one bad side of a mirror; it helps us to see the reflection of the effects of our own actions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/i-think-this-is-one-bad-side-of-a-mirror-it-helps-us-to-see-the/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [A lot of celebrities just want money, fame, power, fancy cars, houses all over the world and have people BOW DOWN to them. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-manson/a-lot-of-celebrities-just-want-money-fame-power-fancy-cars-houses-all/) [Shirley Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-manson/) [Browse all 696 Behaviour quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behaviour/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think if I ever stopped pushing myself, I would revert quickly to quite repetitive, restrictive behaviour. But in pushing myself and concentrating on what I can do, I think I can contribute to society. And that gives me the desire to keep pushing, to see what I'm capable of. 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