--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My hunger is not for success, it is for…" description: "\"My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. Because when you attain excellence, success just naturally follows.\" — Mike Krzyzewski" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/mike-krzyzewski-2324_excellence_my-hunger-is-not-for-success-it-is-for-e_477995.png" --- # My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence… ![“My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. Because when you attain excellence, success just naturally follows.” quote by Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/mike-krzyzewski-2324_excellence_my-hunger-is-not-for-success-it-is-for-e_477995.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/mike-krzyzewski-2324_excellence_my-hunger-is-not-for-success-it-is-for-e_477995.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/mike-krzyzewski-2324_excellence_my-hunger-is-not-for-success-it-is-for-e_477995.png) > “My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. Because when you attain excellence, success just naturally follows.” [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excellence is the true driver; success is a byproduct of mastering one's craft. **In simple terms:** Excellence leads to success. Key Takeaway Focus on mastery, not accolades. Themes excellence success mastery Mood determined inspired Type motivational leadership When to use this quote - coaching - business leadership - personal development Key Concepts growth mindset intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can you measure excellence in your field? - What habits foster excellence? A Different Perspective Excellence can be hard to define and measure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attain Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attain-excellence-2328431/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Excellence Attain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence-attain-4116467/) [Excellence Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence-success-560976/) [Hunger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunger/) [Hunger Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunger-success-4116466/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Success Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-excellence-1793643/) ## Related quotes > [“With a well-organized life, you have a higher chance of success and excellence in your area of calling and whatever you find yourself doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/with-a-well-organized-life-you-have-a-higher-chance-of-success-and/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [Success and excellence are not the same. Excellence grows within a person, is largely within that person's control, and its meaning lasts. Success is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/success-and-excellence-are-not-the-same-excellence-grows-within-a/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [I am an individual who has that hunger for success and I want to keep it that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-villas-boas/i-am-an-individual-who-has-that-hunger-for-success-and-i-want-to-keep/) [Andre Villas-Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-villas-boas/) > [The only way you're going to make it is to have a hunger for success and a will to win. That's something that's always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/the-only-way-you-re-going-to-make-it-is-to-have-a-hunger-for-success/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [ The hunger \[to success\] is the same, no matter what it is that you're doing. It's like an unquenchable thirst to learn more, or… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobe-bryant/the-hunger-to-success-is-the-same-no-matter-what-it-is-that-you-re/) [Kobe Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobe-bryant/) > [“Those who attain to any excellence commonly spend life in some single pursuit, for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/those-who-attain-to-any-excellence-commonly-spend-life-in-some-single/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Those who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/those-who-attain-any-excellence-commonly-spend-life-in-one-pursuit/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Every activity performed in public can attain an excellence never matched in privacy; for excellence, by definition, the presence of others is always required.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/every-activity-performed-in-public-can-attain-an-excellence-never/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [“Excellence itself, aretē as the Greeks, virtus as the Romans would have called it, has always been assigned to the public realm where one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/excellence-itself-aret-as-the-greeks-virtus-as-the-romans-would-have/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [“Aspire higher to attain excellence in whatever you do. But be careful when you reach the peak, where the only way is the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/aspire-higher-to-attain-excellence-in-whatever-you-do-but-be-careful/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [By persistent labor man may attain to all excellence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demosthenes/by-persistent-labor-man-may-attain-to-all-excellence/) [Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demosthenes/) > [“You unlock the door to greater levels of excellence and success when you accept who you are. It is from the point of acceptance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/you-unlock-the-door-to-greater-levels-of-excellence-and-success-when/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [Success is about having, excellence is about being. Success is about having money and fame, but excellence is being the best you can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-ditka/success-is-about-having-excellence-is-about-being-success-is-about/) [Mike Ditka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-ditka/) > [If you strive for excellence, success will follow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shreya-ghoshal/if-you-strive-for-excellence-success-will-follow/) [Shreya Ghoshal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shreya-ghoshal/) > [Chase Excellence and success will follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/chase-excellence-and-success-will-follow/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) ## More by Mike Krzyzewski > [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/) > [Good sound habits are more important than rules - use concepts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/good-sound-habits-are-more-important-than-rules-use-concepts/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Always get back to your core principles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/always-get-back-to-your-core-principles/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Parents can really help, but they can also really hinder the development of their youngsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/parents-can-really-help-but-they-can-also-really-hinder-the/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [That's what I do now: I lead and I teach. If we win basketball games from doing that, then that's great, but I lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/that-s-what-i-do-now-i-lead-and-i-teach-if-we-win-basketball-games/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [I hated to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-hated-to-lose/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [We lost, and that's the main thing that went wrong,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/we-lost-and-that-s-the-main-thing-that-went-wrong/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Leadership is simple: Add value to people everyday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/leadership-is-simple-add-value-to-people-everyday/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [As teachers and coaches, we must remember that when mere winning is our only goal, we are doomed to disappointment and failure. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/as-teachers-and-coaches-we-must-remember-that-when-mere-winning-is/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [I don't think we surprise people. We try to out-execute them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-think-we-surprise-people-we-try-to-out-execute-them/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [A common mistake among those who work in sport is spending a disproportional amount of time on "x's and o's" as compared to time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/a-common-mistake-among-those-who-work-in-sport-is-spending-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [If you set up an atmosphere of community and trust, it becomes a tradition. Older team members will establish your credibility with newer ones.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/if-you-set-up-an-atmosphere-of-community-and-trust-it-becomes-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Confidence shared is better than confidence only in yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/confidence-shared-is-better-than-confidence-only-in-yourself/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [A leader's responsibility to his team is paramount. It overshadows even his own personal feelings at any given time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/a-leader-s-responsibility-to-his-team-is-paramount-it-overshadows/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [The only way you're going to grow is to be in difficult situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/the-only-way-you-re-going-to-grow-is-to-be-in-difficult-situations/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) [Explore all 171 Mike Krzyzewski quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) ## More Excellence quotes > [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/) [Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/) > [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/) [Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [You learn a lot from quality players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/you-learn-a-lot-from-quality-players/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [We want to promote the great quality of athletics - and maintain it's integrity - all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-juantorena/we-want-to-promote-the-great-quality-of-athletics-and-maintain-it-s/) [Alberto Juantorena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-juantorena/) > [“Anytime I see a rainbow, what comes into my mind is how skillful and talented someone was to create an ark that didn't leak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/anytime-i-see-a-rainbow-what-comes-into-my-mind-is-how-skillful-and/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-you-are-the-master-be-sometimes-blind-if-you-are-the-servant-be/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [We may be masters of our every lot By bearing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/we-may-be-masters-of-our-every-lot-by-bearing-it/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/quality-means-doing-it-right-when-no-one-is-looking/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly followed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-cannot-all-be-masters-nor-all-masters-cannot-be-truly-followed/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Leadership, pure and simple, is the assumption of responsibility for the pursuit of excellence in group life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-selznick/leadership-pure-and-simple-is-the-assumption-of-responsibility-for/) [Philip Selznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-selznick/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Browse all 4,187 Excellence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. 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