--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was very fortunate at a young age to…" description: "\"I was very fortunate at a young age to learn what goal setting is and how to take time and spend it the right way. I have a lot going on now, but I wan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6e/michael-phelps-2388_age_i-was-very-fortunate-at-a-young-age-to-l_2705763.jpg" --- # I was very fortunate at a young age to learn what goal… ![“I was very fortunate at a young age to learn what goal setting is and how to take time and spend it the right way. I have a lot going on now, but I want my family to have everything I had growing up and more, and yeah, for me to do that there are times when I need to jump on a plane and travel…” quote by Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6e/michael-phelps-2388_age_i-was-very-fortunate-at-a-young-age-to-l_2705763.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6e/michael-phelps-2388_age_i-was-very-fortunate-at-a-young-age-to-l_2705763.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6e/michael-phelps-2388_age_i-was-very-fortunate-at-a-young-age-to-l_2705763.jpg) > “I was very fortunate at a young age to learn what goal setting is and how to take time and spend it the right way. I have a lot going on now, but I want my family to have everything I had growing up and more, and yeah, for me to do that there are times when I need to jump on a plane and travel around the world in a week. But also, it's like, if I start getting burnt out, I know when I need to take a break. Your body tells you; just listen to what your heart is saying.” [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. Early goal‑setting and self‑care enable sustained achievement and family support. **In simple terms:** Set goals, listen to your body. Key Takeaway Balance ambition with rest. Themes goal‑setting self‑care family Mood inspired practical Type sports personal When to use this quote - training schedules - career planning - parenting - travel logistics Key Concepts performance psychology time management life balance Questions to Reflect On - How do you detect early burnout? - What role does family play in motivation? A Different Perspective Burnout risk if ignored. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Around the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/around-the-world/) [Break](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/break/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goal Setting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal-setting-2/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Just listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-listen/) [Learn Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn-goal-2768301/) [My family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-family/) [Need Break](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-break/) [Right way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-way/) [Setting goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting-goals/) [Take time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Spend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-spend/) [Want Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-family/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Young age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-age/) ## Related quotes > [Don't ever be impressed with goal setting. Be impressed with goal getting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/don-t-ever-be-impressed-with-goal-setting-be-impressed-with-goal/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Set goals that are well balanced-not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-russell-ballard/set-goals-that-are-well-balanced-not-too-many-nor-too-few-and-not-too/) [M. Russell Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-russell-ballard/) > [Hard work is the main thing-hard work and dedication. And I think a great part of it is goal setting. You set your goals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-palmeiro/hard-work-is-the-main-thing-hard-work-and-dedication-and-i-think-a/) [Rafael Palmeiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-palmeiro/) > [Decision-making takes care of goal-setting, but discipline also takes care of goal-getting. Decisions and discipline can't be separated; one is worthless without the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/decision-making-takes-care-of-goal-setting-but-discipline-also-takes/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I'm a firm believer in goal setting. Step by step. I can't see any other way of accomplishing anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-m-a-firm-believer-in-goal-setting-step-by-step-i-can-t-see-any/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [“Secret #1 : One minute Goal Setting "People who feel good about themselves produce good results”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blanchard-spencer-johnson/secret-1-one-minute-goal-setting-people-who-feel-good-about/) [Ken Blanchard, Spencer Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blanchard-spencer-johnson/) > [The direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the moment. Goal setting should cause us to stretch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/the-direction-in-which-we-are-moving-is-more-important-than-where-we/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [The secret to changing your life is in your intentions. Wishing, hoping and goal setting cannot accomplish change without intention. What is needed is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-secret-to-changing-your-life-is-in-your-intentions-wishing-hoping/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [If you do not get chills when you set a goal, your not setting big enough goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/if-you-do-not-get-chills-when-you-set-a-goal-your-not-setting-big/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“Goal setting works best when you have long-term goals and short-term goals in different areas of your life. Of course, you’re not going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-j-elliott/goal-setting-works-best-when-you-have-long-term-goals-and-short-term/) [Susan J. Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-j-elliott/) > [“Goal-setting is an important task for a leader and one of the most important skills that a child can learn. The earlier this skill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-raybans/goal-setting-is-an-important-task-for-a-leader-and-one-of-the-most/) [Hannah Raybans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-raybans/) > [Goal setting is the essence of life. Tenaciously pursue your goals not for external praise but for inner reward. It makes you a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/goal-setting-is-the-essence-of-life-tenaciously-pursue-your-goals-not/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“The vital difference between dreamers and achievers boils down to some very basic, simple habits. People with clear, \*written-out\* goals who consistently honor their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chalene-johnson/the-vital-difference-between-dreamers-and-achievers-boils-down-to/) [Chalene Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chalene-johnson/) > [An athlete gains so much knowledge by just participating in a sport. Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting and, of course, the thrill of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristi-yamaguchi/an-athlete-gains-so-much-knowledge-by-just-participating-in-a-sport/) [Kristi Yamaguchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristi-yamaguchi/) > [Goal setting may be difficult but with determination it will set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-j-rosa/goal-setting-may-be-difficult-but-with-determination-it-will-set/) [Eliezer J Rosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-j-rosa/) ## 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 Age quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [Real people speak in my books about the main events of the age, such as the war, the Chernobyl disaster, and the downfall of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svetlana-alexievich/real-people-speak-in-my-books-about-the-main-events-of-the-age-such/) [Svetlana Alexievich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svetlana-alexievich/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Age is an accumulation of life and loss. Adulthood is a series of lines crossed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-goodman/age-is-an-accumulation-of-life-and-loss-adulthood-is-a-series-of/) [Ellen Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-goodman/) > [I calculated that if I live up to the age of 80, then I end up using 450 toothbrushes in my life. All that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/i-calculated-that-if-i-live-up-to-the-age-of-80-then-i-end-up-using/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [We have started to make music at age seven. That was a hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kaulitz/we-have-started-to-make-music-at-age-seven-that-was-a-hard-work/) [Bill Kaulitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kaulitz/) [Browse all 18,948 Age quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was very fortunate at a young age to learn what goal setting is and how to take time and spend it the right way. I have a lot going on now, but I want my family to have everything I had growing up and more, and yeah, for me to do that there are times when I need to jump on a plane and travel around the world in a week. But also, it's like, if I start getting burnt out, I know when I need to take a break. 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