--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I want to be able to look back and say…" description: "\"I want to be able to look back and say, 'I've done everything I can, and I was successful.' I don't want to look back and say I should have done this o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/michael-phelps-2388_able_i-want-to-be-able-to-look-back-and-say-i_2968956.jpg" --- # I want to be able to look back and say, 'I've done… ![“I want to be able to look back and say, 'I've done everything I can, and I was successful.' I don't want to look back and say I should have done this or that. I'd like to change things for the younger generation of swimmers coming along.” quote by Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/michael-phelps-2388_able_i-want-to-be-able-to-look-back-and-say-i_2968956.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/michael-phelps-2388_able_i-want-to-be-able-to-look-back-and-say-i_2968956.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/michael-phelps-2388_able_i-want-to-be-able-to-look-back-and-say-i_2968956.jpg) > “I want to be able to look back and say, 'I've done everything I can, and I was successful.' I don't want to look back and say I should have done this or that. I'd like to change things for the younger generation of swimmers coming along.” [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A desire to achieve personal fulfillment without regret, while mentoring future swimmers. **In simple terms:** Seek success now, avoid future regrets, help the next generation. Key Takeaway Act fully now, mentor others. Themes achievement legacy mentorship Mood reflective inspirational Type advice motivational When to use this quote - training regimen - career planning - coaching youth - public speaking Key Concepts self‑actualization intergenerational impact Questions to Reflect On - What would you change if you could redo your career? - How can you balance personal goals with helping others? A Different Perspective Success may still feel incomplete without personal satisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Younger generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/younger-generation/) ## Related quotes > [I like extremes. I like to change things up and keep from getting complacent or stale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/i-like-extremes-i-like-to-change-things-up-and-keep-from-getting/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > [The younger generation forms a country of its own. It has no geographical boundaries. I've talked with young Hungarians in Budapest, with young Italians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-st-vincent-millay/the-younger-generation-forms-a-country-of-its-own-it-has-no/) [Edna St. Vincent Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-st-vincent-millay/) > [Water has always been a large part of my life, so for me now, being a father with another child on the way, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/water-has-always-been-a-large-part-of-my-life-so-for-me-now-being-a/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [You see, we all want the same things. We want to be able to take care of our families, provide for our children, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-hastert/you-see-we-all-want-the-same-things-we-want-to-be-able-to-take-care/) [Dennis Hastert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-hastert/) > [If you really want success in life, it's two-fold. You want to be able to take care of yourself and take care of yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-roy/if-you-really-want-success-in-life-it-s-two-fold-you-want-to-be-able/) [Rachel Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-roy/) > [I just want to be able to be a game-wrecker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-j-watt/i-just-want-to-be-able-to-be-a-game-wrecker/) [T. J. Watt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-j-watt/) > [For me I'm a NASCAR driver, and I want to be able to win NASCAR championships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-busch/for-me-i-m-a-nascar-driver-and-i-want-to-be-able-to-win-nascar/) [Kyle Busch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-busch/) > [I just want to be able to be creative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-slate/i-just-want-to-be-able-to-be-creative/) [Jenny Slate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-slate/) > [I want to be able to give ample time to my children and my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/supriya-pathak/i-want-to-be-able-to-give-ample-time-to-my-children-and-my-home/) [Supriya Pathak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/supriya-pathak/) > [I want to be able to be alone, to find it nourishing - not just a waiting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/i-want-to-be-able-to-be-alone-to-find-it-nourishing-not-just-a-waiting/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [I want to be able to make a movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-watts/i-want-to-be-able-to-make-a-movie/) [Reggie Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-watts/) > [I want to be able to speak freely about what I believe. There's a lot of people who would actually like to be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-t-flynn/i-want-to-be-able-to-speak-freely-about-what-i-believe-there-s-a-lot/) [Michael T. Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-t-flynn/) > [I want to be able to write, that's my first love and I don't want to deviate from it even though I probably could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/i-want-to-be-able-to-write-that-s-my-first-love-and-i-don-t-want-to/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Not knowing what you want is a lot better than knowing exactly what you want but not being able to get it, at least…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/not-knowing-what-you-want-is-a-lot-better-than-knowing-exactly-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All I want is I am able to do any role that I get, comedy or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-grover/all-i-want-is-i-am-able-to-do-any-role-that-i-get-comedy-or-not/) [Sunil Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-grover/) ## More by Michael Phelps > [The support I've received from my sponsors has enabled me to raise the bar in swimming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/the-support-i-ve-received-from-my-sponsors-has-enabled-me-to-raise/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I'm definitely ahead of the schedule where I thought I was going to be at. I'm really happy. I was excited to race and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-m-definitely-ahead-of-the-schedule-where-i-thought-i-was-going-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/you-can-t-put-a-limit-on-anything-the-more-you-dream-the-farther-you/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I think with practice, you can being whatever you want to be, and with a goal you can go in any direction that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-think-with-practice-you-can-being-whatever-you-want-to-be-and-with/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I learned how fast you can go from being an international hero to being a reference in a joke on a late night talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-learned-how-fast-you-can-go-from-being-an-international-hero-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I'm the same kind of guy before all this happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-m-the-same-kind-of-guy-before-all-this-happened/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [The only reason I started swimming was for water safety. Then, once I started falling in love with sports, I got more comfortable with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/the-only-reason-i-started-swimming-was-for-water-safety-then-once-i/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I don't like to be second in anything. I was trying, I just wasn't going anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-don-t-like-to-be-second-in-anything-i-was-trying-i-just-wasn-t/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [Every day, there's always something to be worried about; you turn on the news and see something different every day, and it's terrible. Hopefully,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/every-day-there-s-always-something-to-be-worried-about-you-turn-on/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I want to test my maximum and see how much I can do. And I want to change the world of swimming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-want-to-test-my-maximum-and-see-how-much-i-can-do-and-i-want-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [You can't put a limit anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/you-can-t-put-a-limit-anything/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I haven't swam in any of the rivers outside of Baltimore. I try to keep it in the pool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-haven-t-swam-in-any-of-the-rivers-outside-of-baltimore-i-try-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [This is my 20th year in the sport. I've known swimming and that's it. I don't want to swim past age 30; if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/this-is-my-20th-year-in-the-sport-i-ve-known-swimming-and-that-s-it-i/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [Anything is possible as long as you want it, you work for it. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, the only person that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/anything-is-possible-as-long-as-you-want-it-you-work-for-it-doesn-t/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [Nothing is impossible. With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/nothing-is-impossible-with-so-many-people-saying-it-couldn-t-be-done/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) [Explore all 169 Michael Phelps quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) ## 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. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. 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. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) Greg Perry > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I want to be able to look back and say, 'I've done everything I can, and I was successful.' I don't want to look back and say I should have done this or that. 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