--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If your desire is a 10 but your…" description: "\"If your desire is a 10 but your self-esteem is a 5, you'll never perform at the level of a 10. You'll perform as a 5 or lower. People are ever able to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b8/john-c-maxwell-113_able_if-your-desire-is-a-10-but-your-self-est_1033961.jpg" --- # If your desire is a 10 but your self-esteem is a 5, you'll… ![“If your desire is a 10 but your self-esteem is a 5, you'll never perform at the level of a 10. You'll perform as a 5 or lower. People are ever able to outperform their self-image.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b8/john-c-maxwell-113_able_if-your-desire-is-a-10-but-your-self-est_1033961.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b8/john-c-maxwell-113_able_if-your-desire-is-a-10-but-your-self-est_1033961.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b8/john-c-maxwell-113_able_if-your-desire-is-a-10-but-your-self-est_1033961.jpg) > “If your desire is a 10 but your self-esteem is a 5, you'll never perform at the level of a 10. You'll perform as a 5 or lower. People are ever able to outperform their self-image.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑image sets the ceiling for performance; if you see yourself as lower than your goal, you will act accordingly. **In simple terms:** Your self‑esteem limits your achievement. Key Takeaway Raise self‑esteem to match aspirations. Themes self‑esteem performance mindset confidence Mood reflective determined hopeful Type motivational self‑help When to use this quote - career advancement - sports competition - public speaking - personal goals - relationship building Key Concepts self‑concept cognitive bias psychology Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports your current self‑image? - How can you align self‑esteem with realistic abilities? A Different Perspective If self‑esteem is inflated beyond reality, it can lead to overconfidence and failure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Self image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-image/) ## Related quotes > [“Chapter 10 The Self-Interested Case for Not Being a Dick”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-harris/chapter-10-the-self-interested-case-for-not-being-a-dick/) [Dan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-harris/) > [To be born again means that we must be changed from a negative to a positive self-image - from inferiority to self-esteem, from fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/to-be-born-again-means-that-we-must-be-changed-from-a-negative-to-a/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [I expect myself to perform at that level every single week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/i-expect-myself-to-perform-at-that-level-every-single-week/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [I will not be a very satisfied, happy person if I don't perform at the level that I expect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-votto/i-will-not-be-a-very-satisfied-happy-person-if-i-don-t-perform-at-the/) [Joey Votto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-votto/) > [It's funny, I hear people say I'm faking all this science stuff. That's the furthest thing from the truth. It's literally what I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryson-dechambeau/it-s-funny-i-hear-people-say-i-m-faking-all-this-science-stuff-that-s/) [Bryson DeChambeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryson-dechambeau/) > [Transformation is not five minutes from now; it's a present activity. In this moment you can make a different choice, and it's these small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-michaels/transformation-is-not-five-minutes-from-now-it-s-a-present-activity/) [Jillian Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-michaels/) > [Science and psychology have isolated the one prime cause for success or failure in life. It is the hidden self-image you have of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/science-and-psychology-have-isolated-the-one-prime-cause-for-success/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [A positive self image and healthy self esteem is based on approval, acceptance and recognition from others; but also upon actual accomplishments, achievements and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/a-positive-self-image-and-healthy-self-esteem-is-based-on-approval/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) > [People are never able to outperform their self-image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/people-are-never-able-to-outperform-their-self-image/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [So I went to a club the other day, which is timely because my self esteem had been hovering right around 'normal' and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-birbiglia/so-i-went-to-a-club-the-other-day-which-is-timely-because-my-self/) [Mike Birbiglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-birbiglia/) > [You would not exist if you did not have something to bring to the table of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-hancock/you-would-not-exist-if-you-did-not-have-something-to-bring-to-the/) [Herbie Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-hancock/) > [Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/don-t-worry-so-much-about-your-self-esteem-worry-more-about-your/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [Nothing is better for self-esteem than survival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/nothing-is-better-for-self-esteem-than-survival/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. 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Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. 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I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. 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