--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perfection is impossibility but striving…" description: "\"Perfection is impossibility but striving for perfection is not. Do the best you can. That is what counts.\" — John Wooden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f7/john-wooden-420_basketball_perfection-is-impossibility-but-striving_2440479.png" --- # Perfection is impossibility but striving for perfection is… ![“Perfection is impossibility but striving for perfection is not. Do the best you can. That is what counts.” quote by John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f7/john-wooden-420_basketball_perfection-is-impossibility-but-striving_2440479.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f7/john-wooden-420_basketball_perfection-is-impossibility-but-striving_2440479.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f7/john-wooden-420_basketball_perfection-is-impossibility-but-striving_2440479.png) > “Perfection is impossibility but striving for perfection is not. Do the best you can. That is what counts.” [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Striving for perfection is valuable even if perfection itself is unattainable; focus on doing your best. **In simple terms:** Do your best even if perfect is impossible. Key Takeaway Aim for excellence, not perfection. Themes perseverance effort excellence Mood determined optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - sports coaching - personal development - education - career advancement Key Concepts growth mindset self‑improvement Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance high standards with realistic expectations? - What does “doing your best” look like daily? A Different Perspective Perfection can become a paralyzing pressure if over‑emphasized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Coaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coaching/) [Impossibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossibility/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Striving for perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/striving-for-perfection/) ## Related quotes > [We are beautifully imperfect beings, operating in a very imperfect world, and that is just the way it is meant to be. Striving for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/we-are-beautifully-imperfect-beings-operating-in-a-very-imperfect/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [It's been years that I'm striving for perfection but I found out I can't](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cath-chatto/it-s-been-years-that-i-m-striving-for-perfection-but-i-found-out-i/) [Cath Chatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cath-chatto/) > [Don't waste your time striving for perfection; instead, strive for excellence - doing your best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/don-t-waste-your-time-striving-for-perfection-instead-strive-for/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [“Striving for perfection can get in the way during the early stages of the creative process.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-kelley/striving-for-perfection-can-get-in-the-way-during-the-early-stages-of/) [David Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kelley/) > [There is no such thing as the perfect picture. That's the challenge of photography. I was always striving for perfection, even though I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-stern/there-is-no-such-thing-as-the-perfect-picture-that-s-the-challenge-of/) [Phil Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-stern/) > [I always had the sense that nothing was never good enough - striving for perfection. My mother and I had a sort of typical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-hamill/i-always-had-the-sense-that-nothing-was-never-good-enough-striving/) [Dorothy Hamill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-hamill/) > [Striving for perfection is the greatest stopper there is. You'll be afraid you can't achieve it. It's your excuse to yourself for not doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/striving-for-perfection-is-the-greatest-stopper-there-is-you-ll-be/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [There's no such thing as Perfection. But, in striving for perfection, we can achieve excellence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/there-s-no-such-thing-as-perfection-but-in-striving-for-perfection-we/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [Consciously or unconsciously, we are all striving for perfection. Every being must attain to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/consciously-or-unconsciously-we-are-all-striving-for-perfection-every/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“Striving for perfection is wasteful if excellence is good enough.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sonnenberg/striving-for-perfection-is-wasteful-if-excellence-is-good-enough/) [Frank Sonnenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sonnenberg/) > [“We must have the courage to be imperfect while striving for perfection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-t-holland/we-must-have-the-courage-to-be-imperfect-while-striving-for-perfection/) [Patricia T. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-t-holland/) > [Striving for excellence is a positive quality. Striving for perfection is self-defeating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/striving-for-excellence-is-a-positive-quality-striving-for-perfection/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [I probably do have an obsessive personality, but striving for perfection has served me well](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-probably-do-have-an-obsessive-personality-but-striving-for/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [It says no one is perfect. BUT I find it V mst eep striving for perfection becoz somewhere thru the journey V achieved excellence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nickz/it-says-no-one-is-perfect-but-i-find-it-v-mst-eep-striving-for/) Nickz > [Learn the difference between striving for excellence and striving for perfection. The first is attainable; the second is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/learn-the-difference-between-striving-for-excellence-and-striving-for/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) ## More by John Wooden > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it. -John wooden”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-so-important-who-starts-the-game-but-who-finishes-it-john/) [John wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“I remain convinced to this day that compassion like that—sincerely caring for your players and maintaining an active interest in their lives, concerns, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-remain-convinced-to-this-day-that-compassion-like-that-sincerely/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I'm not going to say I was opposed to the Vietnam War. I'm going to say I'm opposed to war. But I'm also opposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-m-not-going-to-say-i-was-opposed-to-the-vietnam-war-i-m-going-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/being-a-role-model-is-the-most-powerful-form-of-educating-too-often/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Each of us has a huge capacity to learn and to achieve. Being ever alert makes the task of becoming all we are capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/each-of-us-has-a-huge-capacity-to-learn-and-to-achieve-being-ever/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Stay the course. When thwarted try again; harder; smarter. Persevere relentlessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/stay-the-course-when-thwarted-try-again-harder-smarter-persevere/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Love is the most powerful four letter word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/love-is-the-most-powerful-four-letter-word/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [It takes 10 hands to score a basket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-takes-10-hands-to-score-a-basket/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [The best competition I have is against myself to become better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/the-best-competition-i-have-is-against-myself-to-become-better/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, the habits you are developing now will be with you for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/whether-you-know-it-or-not-whether-you-like-it-or-not-the-habits-you/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Intensity makes you stronger. Emotionalism makes you weaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/intensity-makes-you-stronger-emotionalism-makes-you-weaker/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Reputation is what others perceive you as being, and their opinion may be right or wrong. Character, however, is what you really are, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/reputation-is-what-others-perceive-you-as-being-and-their-opinion-may/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) [Explore all 578 John Wooden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## More Basketball quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/) [Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) [Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Perfection is impossibility but striving for perfection is not. 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