--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For myself, losing is not coming second…" description: "\"For myself, losing is not coming second. It's getting out of the water knowing you could have done better. For myself, I have won every race I've been ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/041/ian-thorpe-20569_done_for-myself-losing-is-not-coming-second-i_488692.jpg" --- # For myself, losing is not coming second. It's getting out… ![“For myself, losing is not coming second. It's getting out of the water knowing you could have done better. For myself, I have won every race I've been in” quote by Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/041/ian-thorpe-20569_done_for-myself-losing-is-not-coming-second-i_488692.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/041/ian-thorpe-20569_done_for-myself-losing-is-not-coming-second-i_488692.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/041/ian-thorpe-20569_done_for-myself-losing-is-not-coming-second-i_488692.jpg) > “For myself, losing is not coming second. It's getting out of the water knowing you could have done better. For myself, I have won every race I've been in” [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker views losing as a personal failure rather than a ranking, emphasizing self‑expectations and the desire to improve. **In simple terms:** Losing feels like not meeting my own standards. Key Takeaway Focus on personal growth over external ranking. Themes competition self‑improvement expectations Mood determined reflective Type motivational personal When to use this quote - sports - career development Key Concepts performance mindset Questions to Reflect On - How can I balance ambition with self‑compassion? - What defines success for me? A Different Perspective Constant self‑criticism may cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Motivational sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational-sports/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [It would have been better if I had won, but reaching the final was perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/it-would-have-been-better-if-i-had-won-but-reaching-the-final-was/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [It's better to have won & lost than to have won, stopped trying, & descended into alcoholism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-benzine/it-s-better-to-have-won-lost-than-to-have-won-stopped-trying/) [Craig Benzine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-benzine/) > [I still have feelings for you. 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