---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't know if I want to break my own…"
description: "\"I don't know if I want to break my own record. I think I would rather leave it as it is.\" — Mark McGwire"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ad/mark-mcgwire-13124_break_i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-r_206297.jpg"
---

#  I don't know if I want to break my own record. I think I…

![“I don't know if I want to break my own record. I think I would rather leave it as it is.” quote by Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ad/mark-mcgwire-13124_break_i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-r_206297.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ad/mark-mcgwire-13124_break_i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-r_206297.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ad/mark-mcgwire-13124_break_i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-r_206297.jpg)

> “I don't know if I want to break my own record. I think I would rather leave it as it is.”

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He expresses reluctance to surpass his own achievements, preferring to preserve his record as a personal benchmark.

**In simple terms:** He prefers keeping his record unchanged.

Key Takeaway

Accept personal limits and celebrate achievements.

Themes

sports self‑assessment achievement

Mood

thoughtful introspective

Type

motivational personal

When to use this quote

- athletic performance
- career reflection
- goal setting
- mental health

Key Concepts

record‑keeping personal standards legacy

Questions to Reflect On

- Why keep a record unchanged?
- What drives the desire to protect personal milestones?

A Different Perspective

May hinder growth or future motivation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [It feels real good to look at some of the guys who have played before me, then come in and break a record. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-johnson/it-feels-real-good-to-look-at-some-of-the-guys-who-have-played-before/)

[Chris Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-johnson/)

> [I can make a record when I think I have a good one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-carmen/i-can-make-a-record-when-i-think-i-have-a-good-one/)

[Eric Carmen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-carmen/)

> [I'm not afraid to do a contrast in terms of what my record is, what I want to do, versus Ted Cruz's record of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-allred/i-m-not-afraid-to-do-a-contrast-in-terms-of-what-my-record-is-what-i/)

[Colin Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-allred/)

> [I panic every time I put out a record. I think every artist does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/i-panic-every-time-i-put-out-a-record-i-think-every-artist-does/)

[Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/)

> [Certainly it's nice to have historic moments like this but eventually somebody will break this record. We're aiming for the end result, otherwise the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabio-capello/certainly-it-s-nice-to-have-historic-moments-like-this-but-eventually/)

[Fabio Capello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabio-capello/)

> [I'm just happy to be in the NFL and to break records and break my own record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-evans/i-m-just-happy-to-be-in-the-nfl-and-to-break-records-and-break-my-own/)

[Mike Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-evans/)

> [Attacking players are the ones who are best suited to break a record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-lara/attacking-players-are-the-ones-who-are-best-suited-to-break-a-record/)

[Brian Lara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-lara/)

> [In terms of breaking an artist traditionally, it was in the form of radio. You had to pop your record off there. Now you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-real/in-terms-of-breaking-an-artist-traditionally-it-was-in-the-form-of/)

[B-Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-real/)

> [We kind of reached this point in life where we don't really want to put out anything just to put something out. We really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-shadows/we-kind-of-reached-this-point-in-life-where-we-don-t-really-want-to/)

[M. Shadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-shadows/)

> [I knew what my ability was to block shots. I just didn't think I'd break a record for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaren-jackson-jr/i-knew-what-my-ability-was-to-block-shots-i-just-didn-t-think-i-d/)

[Jaren Jackson, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaren-jackson-jr/)

> [If you can't win, make the one ahead of you break the record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mckeithen/if-you-can-t-win-make-the-one-ahead-of-you-break-the-record/)

John McKeithen

> [Maybe I'm not a great man but I damn well want to break the record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-maris/maybe-i-m-not-a-great-man-but-i-damn-well-want-to-break-the-record/)

[Roger Maris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-maris/)

> [“I am on pace to break his record. He’s only got one, so after that I’m going to smash all his CDs—starting with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-am-on-pace-to-break-his-record-he-s-only-got-one-so-after-that-i-m/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [The idea for the 'Speed' series was to break the record for the fastest push bike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/the-idea-for-the-speed-series-was-to-break-the-record-for-the-fastest/)

[Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/)

> [“Jasnah was never wrong.” “This would be a storming bad time for her to break her record,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/jasnah-was-never-wrong-this-would-be-a-storming-bad-time-for-her-to/)

[Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/)

## More by Mark McGwire

> [I've been thinking about the record since I reached the fifty plateau. But you think about it and then you let it go because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-ve-been-thinking-about-the-record-since-i-reached-the-fifty-plateau/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [The steroids I did were on a very, very low dosage. I didn't want to take a lot of that. I didn't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/the-steroids-i-did-were-on-a-very-very-low-dosage-i-didn-t-want-to/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [I have had to tell my son, my parents, my friends that I used steroids. It's been very hard. It's been very difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-have-had-to-tell-my-son-my-parents-my-friends-that-i-used-steroids/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [So be it. I’m happy to bring the country together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/so-be-it-i-m-happy-to-bring-the-country-together/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [The thing I sort of get tired of hearing is if I don't hit home runs or don't get hits, that the pressure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/the-thing-i-sort-of-get-tired-of-hearing-is-if-i-don-t-hit-home-runs/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [I study pitchers. I visualize pitches. That gives me a better chance every time I step into the box. That doesn't mean I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-study-pitchers-i-visualize-pitches-that-gives-me-a-better-chance/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [Performance-enhancing drugs are an illusion. I wish I had never gotten involved with steroids. It was wrong. It was stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/performance-enhancing-drugs-are-an-illusion-i-wish-i-had-never-gotten/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [When people put my name next to (Babe) Ruth's name it still blows me away. I'm still in awe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/when-people-put-my-name-next-to-babe-ruth-s-name-it-still-blows-me/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [I think it puts baseball back on the map as a sport. It's America's pastime and just look at everyone coming out to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-think-it-puts-baseball-back-on-the-map-as-a-sport-it-s-america-s/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [I know it's tough. Everybody in baseball knows its tough. I'm just going to give it my best shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-know-it-s-tough-everybody-in-baseball-knows-its-tough-i-m-just/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [I touched Roger's bat and held it to my heart. My bat will lie next to his. I'm damn proud of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-touched-roger-s-bat-and-held-it-to-my-heart-my-bat-will-lie-next-to/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [I remember trying steroids very briefly in the 1989 -1990 off season, and then after I was injured in 1993, I used steroids again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-remember-trying-steroids-very-briefly-in-the-1989-1990-off-season/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [The mind is a powerful thing and most people don't use it properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/the-mind-is-a-powerful-thing-and-most-people-don-t-use-it-properly/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> [Sammy Sosa's a September player, so you have to watch out for him. It's crunch time, time to make history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/sammy-sosa-s-a-september-player-so-you-have-to-watch-out-for-him-it-s/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

> ["The War on Consciousness" is really all physical manifestations and all those problems are ultimately just a war on your way of thinking. Especially…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/the-war-on-consciousness-is-really-all-physical-manifestations-and/)

[Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

[Explore all 51 Mark McGwire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/)

## More Break quotes

> [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. I've taken breaks as the years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-made-like-five-movies-while-i-was-in-college-i-think-they-just/)

[Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/)

> [Things are going well in Germany because the economy is booming and as an export-driven nation, we are profiting from the fact that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/things-are-going-well-in-germany-because-the-economy-is-booming-and/)

[Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/)

> [There were songs that we cut out after we chose the name, because 'Praise Break' turned out to be an underlying concept that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-caesar/there-were-songs-that-we-cut-out-after-we-chose-the-name-because/)

[Daniel Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-caesar/)

> [“He didn't break my heart. No one can break your heart except you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/he-didn-t-break-my-heart-no-one-can-break-your-heart-except-you/)

[Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/)

> [“She couldn't break the orbit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-schwab/she-couldn-t-break-the-orbit/)

[Victoria Schwab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-schwab/)

> [Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/your-pain-is-the-breaking-of-the-shell-that-encloses-your/)

[Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/)

> [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [I hadn't worked for a year when I had my Prison Break audition and it was the easiest audition I've ever had. I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/i-hadn-t-worked-for-a-year-when-i-had-my-prison-break-audition-and-it/)

[Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/)

> [If you strike upon a thought that baffles you, break off from that entanglement and try another, so shall your wits be fresh to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/if-you-strike-upon-a-thought-that-baffles-you-break-off-from-that/)

[Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/)

> [“A hole ain’t nothing either, but you can still break your neck in it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-donati/a-hole-ain-t-nothing-either-but-you-can-still-break-your-neck-in-it/)

[Sara Donati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-donati/)

> [“I break things, a lot of things, but I don’t want one of them to be you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-briggs/i-break-things-a-lot-of-things-but-i-don-t-want-one-of-them-to-be-you/)

[Patricia Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-briggs/)

> [Motor racing's less of a sport these days than a commercial break doing 150 mph.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dunne/motor-racing-s-less-of-a-sport-these-days-than-a-commercial-break/)

Peter Dunne

> [Much like teaching art to young art students age 10 to 15 or so on, you have to break it down into bite-sized pieces,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/much-like-teaching-art-to-young-art-students-age-10-to-15-or-so-on/)

[Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/)

> [The purpose is to be in gratitude forever. Live with applied consciousness, prosperity will break through the walls, flood you with it. You do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh-yogi/the-purpose-is-to-be-in-gratitude-forever-live-with-applied/)

[Harbhajan Singh Yogi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh-yogi/)

> [Never break another man's rice bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akio-morita/never-break-another-man-s-rice-bowl/)

[Akio Morita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akio-morita/)

Browse all 8,188 Break quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I don't know if I want to break my own record. I think I would rather leave it as it is.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mark McGwire"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-record-i-think-i-would-rather/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Break"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-record-i-think-i-would-rather/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ad/mark-mcgwire-13124_break_i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-r_206297.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ad/mark-mcgwire-13124_break_i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-r_206297.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ad/mark-mcgwire-13124_break_i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-r_206297.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I don't know if I want to break my own record. I think I would rather leave it as it is.” — Mark McGwire",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Mark McGwire",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I don't know if I want...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-record-i-think-i-would-rather/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/i-don-t-know-if-i-want-to-break-my-own-record-i-think-i-would-rather/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
