--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The real competition is against the…" description: "\"The real competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit\" — George A. Sheehan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/george-a-sheehan-10745_competition_the-real-competition-is-against-the-litt_398837.png" --- # The real competition is against the little voice inside… ![“The real competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit” quote by George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/george-a-sheehan-10745_competition_the-real-competition-is-against-the-litt_398837.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/george-a-sheehan-10745_competition_the-real-competition-is-against-the-litt_398837.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/george-a-sheehan-10745_competition_the-real-competition-is-against-the-litt_398837.png) > “The real competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit” [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The inner critic that urges quitting is the true opponent; overcoming it is essential for personal achievement. **In simple terms:** Your inner voice is the real competition. Key Takeaway Silence the inner critic. Themes self-discipline motivation competition Mood introspective motivational Type inspirational psychological When to use this quote - sports - career - personal goals Key Concepts inner dialogue resilience self-talk Questions to Reflect On - What does your inner voice tell you? - How can you reframe self‑criticism? A Different Perspective The inner voice can be a source of insight, not just opposition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Distance runner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distance-runner/) [Distance running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distance-running/) [Funny running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny-running/) [Inspirational runner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-runner/) [Inspirational running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-running/) [Inspirational track](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-track/) [Marathon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marathon/) [Marathon motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marathon-motivational/) [Marathon runners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marathon-runners/) [Marathon running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marathon-running/) [Motivational running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational-running/) [Race day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race-day/) [Race motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race-motivational/) [Runners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/runners/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Running funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-funny/) [Running marathon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-marathon/) [Running race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-race/) [Running shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-shoes/) [Running track](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-track/) [Running training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-training/) [Track and field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/track-and-field/) [Track runners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/track-runners/) [Track running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/track-running/) [Training for a marathon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training-for-a-marathon/) [Ultra marathon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultra-marathon/) [Ultra running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultra-running/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [It is not the critic who counts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-not-the-critic-who-counts/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The human body is capable of amazing physical deeds. If we could just free ourselves from our perceived limitations and tap into our internal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-karnazes/the-human-body-is-capable-of-amazing-physical-deeds-if-we-could-just/) [Dean Karnazes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-karnazes/) > [It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-very-hard-in-the-beginning-to-understand-that-the-whole-idea-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Listen to your body. Do not be a blind and deaf tenant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/listen-to-your-body-do-not-be-a-blind-and-deaf-tenant/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [The obsession with running is really an obsession with the potential for more and more life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/the-obsession-with-running-is-really-an-obsession-with-the-potential/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences. My times become slower and slower, but the experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/no-matter-how-old-i-get-the-race-remains-one-of-life-s-most-rewarding-2/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [Let's keep it real, this is no competition to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-day-to-remember/let-s-keep-it-real-this-is-no-competition-to-me/) [A Day To Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-day-to-remember/) > [I view it as a real competition. We're in a business where, you know what, there's no babies here. You go out, win the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-randolph/i-view-it-as-a-real-competition-we-re-in-a-business-where-you-know/) Willie Randolph > [Knowing my husband they way I do, this is what he lives for - real competition. And I don't think he was ever satisfied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brock-lesnar/knowing-my-husband-they-way-i-do-this-is-what-he-lives-for-real/) [Brock Lesnar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brock-lesnar/) > [Real competition can drive up testosterone, which boosts libido.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-fisher/real-competition-can-drive-up-testosterone-which-boosts-libido/) [Helen Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-fisher/) > [If you want to find the real competition, just look in the mirror. After awhile you'll see your rivals scrambling for second place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-to-find-the-real-competition-just-look-in-the-mirror/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Big Brother makes a game where it's competitive, not just a handicap match. Mentally, physically, strategically, emotionally, it's an even match. When you compete…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/metta-world-peace/big-brother-makes-a-game-where-it-s-competitive-not-just-a-handicap/) [Metta World Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/metta-world-peace/) > [It's up to the individual to decide when he wants to quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inzamam-ul-haq/it-s-up-to-the-individual-to-decide-when-he-wants-to-quit/) [Inzamam-ul-Haq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inzamam-ul-haq/) > [“When a smoker says he wants to quit but can’t, what he’s really saying is, “I want to quit but I want even more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/when-a-smoker-says-he-wants-to-quit-but-can-t-what-he-s-really-saying/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [Being a writer, writing for a living, is one long persistence game. Everyone wants you to quit. Quite often, you want to quit. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/being-a-writer-writing-for-a-living-is-one-long-persistence-game/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) ## More by George A. Sheehan > [Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling, enduring, and accomplishing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/happiness-is-different-from-pleasure-happiness-has-something-to-do/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [Everyone is an athlete. The only difference is that some of us are in training, and some are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/everyone-is-an-athlete-the-only-difference-is-that-some-of-us-are-in/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [If you want to win anything - a race, yourself, your life - you have to go a little berserk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/if-you-want-to-win-anything-a-race-yourself-your-life-you-have-to-go/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/no-matter-how-old-i-get-the-race-remains-one-of-life-s-most-rewarding/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [Have you ever felt worse after a run?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/have-you-ever-felt-worse-after-a-run/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [There is no substitute for learning to live in our bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/there-is-no-substitute-for-learning-to-live-in-our-bodies/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [Exercise is done against one's wishes and maintained only because the alternative is worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/exercise-is-done-against-one-s-wishes-and-maintained-only-because-the/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [Running makes you an athlete in all areas of life...trained in the basics, prepared for whatever comes, ready to fill each hour and deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/running-makes-you-an-athlete-in-all-areas-of-life-trained-in-the/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [Running is just such a monastery- a retreat, a place to commune with God and yourself, a place for psychological and spiritual renewal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/running-is-just-such-a-monastery-a-retreat-a-place-to-commune-with/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [For every runner who tours the world running marathons, there are thousands who run to hear leaves and listen to rain and look to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/for-every-runner-who-tours-the-world-running-marathons-there-are-2/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [If you want to find the answers to the Big Questions about your soul, you'd best begin with the Little Answers about your body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/if-you-want-to-find-the-answers-to-the-big-questions-about-your-soul/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [Listen to your body. Do not be a blind and deaf tenant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/listen-to-your-body-do-not-be-a-blind-and-deaf-tenant/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [Some think guts is sprinting at the end of a race. But guts is what got you there to begin with. Guts start back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/some-think-guts-is-sprinting-at-the-end-of-a-race-but-guts-is-what/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [I have met my hero, and he is me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/i-have-met-my-hero-and-he-is-me/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [Once you have decided that winning isn't everything, you become a winner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/once-you-have-decided-that-winning-isn-t-everything-you-become-a/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) [Explore all 63 George A. Sheehan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) ## More Competition quotes > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [People think that the Club World Cup is an easy competition, but it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keylor-navas/people-think-that-the-club-world-cup-is-an-easy-competition-but-it-s/) [Keylor Navas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keylor-navas/) > [If you ask another competitor, they may tell you they felt very competitive towards me. But I can tell you that my biggest competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/if-you-ask-another-competitor-they-may-tell-you-they-felt-very/) [Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/) > [“At times, competition can be a good thing. But a person's value isn't something that can be ranked, is it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hotaru-odagiri/at-times-competition-can-be-a-good-thing-but-a-person-s-value-isn-t/) [Hotaru Odagiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hotaru-odagiri/) > [Our competition has always been anything that is wasting your time when you're bored at work. In a broad sense. We want people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-ohanian/our-competition-has-always-been-anything-that-is-wasting-your-time/) [Alexis Ohanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-ohanian/) > [I've always considered making it legal for Americans to import their prescription drugs a free-trade issue. Imports create competition and keep domestic industry more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-grassley/i-ve-always-considered-making-it-legal-for-americans-to-import-their/) [Chuck Grassley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-grassley/) > [Honestly, we’ll compete with everybody. I love competition. As long as people invent their own stuff, I love competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/honestly-we-ll-compete-with-everybody-i-love-competition-as-long-as/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [The "health, education, and welfare" section of government is another boondoggle. First we manufacture indigent and superfluous people by legal monopolies in land, money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurance-labadie/the-health-education-and-welfare-section-of-government-is-another/) [Laurance Labadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurance-labadie/) > [I try to keep up with everything - all wrestling across the board. I want to know what the competition is doing, what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hardy/i-try-to-keep-up-with-everything-all-wrestling-across-the-board-i/) [Matt Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hardy/) > [Sometimes in England, people look down at the Europa League, but being from the continent, I've always realised what an important competition it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mignolet/sometimes-in-england-people-look-down-at-the-europa-league-but-being/) [Simon Mignolet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mignolet/) > [“There is a scene in one of the Rocky movies where after the match Apollo Creed and Rocky are waiting for the scoring of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-passaro/there-is-a-scene-in-one-of-the-rocky-movies-where-after-the-match/) [John A. Passaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-passaro/) > [I've always written. When I was in school, the only teacher who ever liked me was my creative writing teacher. I used to enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-townes-earle/i-ve-always-written-when-i-was-in-school-the-only-teacher-who-ever/) [Justin Townes Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-townes-earle/) > [Competition between men is a fuel that's useful to us. We have to be careful that it doesn't tell the same story over too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-irwin/competition-between-men-is-a-fuel-that-s-useful-to-us-we-have-to-be/) [Bill Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-irwin/) [Browse all 3,894 Competition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The real competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George A. 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