--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've gradually gained more confidence…" description: "\"I've gradually gained more confidence swimming for distance in the open sea, but I still return to the rock pools.\" — Raymond Bonner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/raymond-bonner-37469_confidence_i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-sw_1188800.jpg" --- # I've gradually gained more confidence swimming for… ![“I've gradually gained more confidence swimming for distance in the open sea, but I still return to the rock pools.” quote by Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/raymond-bonner-37469_confidence_i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-sw_1188800.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/raymond-bonner-37469_confidence_i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-sw_1188800.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/raymond-bonner-37469_confidence_i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-sw_1188800.jpg) > “I've gradually gained more confidence swimming for distance in the open sea, but I still return to the rock pools.” [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Confidence grows with practice, yet familiar safe spots remain comforting. **In simple terms:** Practice builds confidence but we still seek safety. Key Takeaway Embrace growth while honoring comfort zones. Themes confidence comfort growth risk familiarity Mood reflective balanced Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - open sea training - rock pool relaxation - skill development - overcoming fear Key Concepts psychology habit formation risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What safe space holds you back? - How can you expand your comfort zone gradually? A Different Perspective Comfort can limit further challenge if overrelied upon. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Confidence Swimming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence-swimming-3519424/) [Distance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distance/) [Gained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gained/) [Gained Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gained-confidence-1223583/) [Gradually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gradually/) [Gradually Gained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gradually-gained-3519425/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Open](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open/) [Open Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-sea-472853/) [Pools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pools/) [Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/return/) [Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) [Still](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/still/) [Swimming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swimming/) ## Related quotes > [With age, I've gained confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/with-age-i-ve-gained-confidence/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [I have gained confidence in front of the camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neha-dhupia/i-have-gained-confidence-in-front-of-the-camera/) [Neha Dhupia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neha-dhupia/) > [Rock pools, so-named because they have been hammered out of rocks at the ocean's edge, are one of Sydney's defining characteristics, along with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/rock-pools-so-named-because-they-have-been-hammered-out-of-rocks-at/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [I had gained so much confidence through my college achievements that I wanted to tackle the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-gained-so-much-confidence-through-my-college-achievements-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have always wanted to speak in English. Even if I wasn't fluent, I'd still speak. People used to make fun of me but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hardik-pandya/i-have-always-wanted-to-speak-in-english-even-if-i-wasn-t-fluent-i-d/) [Hardik Pandya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hardik-pandya/) > [When I was younger, I found it incredibly intimidating to audition for anything. As I've gotten older and had more experience and gained more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-perry/when-i-was-younger-i-found-it-incredibly-intimidating-to-audition-for/) [Zoe Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-perry/) > [“He looked like a man who had gained confidence through exposure to a hostile environment; like one who no longer owed anything to anyone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amor-towles/he-looked-like-a-man-who-had-gained-confidence-through-exposure-to-a/) [Amor Towles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amor-towles/) > [I was extremely shy, but since college, I think I have opened up and gained confidence. I find it much easier to make friends,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-amboyer/i-was-extremely-shy-but-since-college-i-think-i-have-opened-up-and/) [Dan Amboyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-amboyer/) > [My AIESEC exchange helped me grow personally and professionally. I have gained confidence while meeting new people and I have become more aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-yee/my-aiesec-exchange-helped-me-grow-personally-and-professionally-i/) [Kimberly Yee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-yee/) > [That's my success, if you want to call it that: I've gained confidence about what I write and what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-evans/that-s-my-success-if-you-want-to-call-it-that-i-ve-gained-confidence/) [Lee Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-evans/) > [“behind. I gained confidence when others left. He quit? I would ask myself. At that? In the time since I finished SEAL training, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/behind-i-gained-confidence-when-others-left-he-quit-i-would-ask/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As I got into high school I sort of came into my own and gained some confidence and, luckily, wasn't really bullied by others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/as-i-got-into-high-school-i-sort-of-came-into-my-own-and-gained-some/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I've just gained so much confidence in the booth since the 'Sit Still Look Pretty' era. I'm working with really talented producers and songwriters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daya/i-ve-just-gained-so-much-confidence-in-the-booth-since-the-sit-still/) [Daya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daya/) > [By letting go of my fears and concerns, I've gained so much happiness and freedom. With that freedom I've also gained confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/by-letting-go-of-my-fears-and-concerns-i-ve-gained-so-much-happiness/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [After coming to the Bigg Boss' house, my perspective towards this relationship has changed and I have gained confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rubina-dilaik/after-coming-to-the-bigg-boss-house-my-perspective-towards-this/) [Rubina Dilaik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rubina-dilaik/) ## More by Raymond Bonner > [Rock pools, so-named because they have been hammered out of rocks at the ocean's edge, are one of Sydney's defining characteristics, along with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/rock-pools-so-named-because-they-have-been-hammered-out-of-rocks-at/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [Think Indonesia and tourism, and the first thing that comes to mind is probably Bali. Think golf holiday, and most people would dream of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/think-indonesia-and-tourism-and-the-first-thing-that-comes-to-mind-is/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [If you don't like Scottish weather, wait 30 minutes, and it is likely to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/if-you-don-t-like-scottish-weather-wait-30-minutes-and-it-is-likely/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [I'm not the only foreigner who took up golf while living in Jakarta.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/i-m-not-the-only-foreigner-who-took-up-golf-while-living-in-jakarta/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [The Philippines, it might be said, is a country in search of an identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/the-philippines-it-might-be-said-is-a-country-in-search-of-an-identity/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [When one thinks of golf and Scotland, the first thing that comes to mind is usually St. Andrews, especially the famed Old Course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/when-one-thinks-of-golf-and-scotland-the-first-thing-that-comes-to/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [I loved the sound of the ocean, the breaking surf, the vastness, but still didn't feel terribly comfortable in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/i-loved-the-sound-of-the-ocean-the-breaking-surf-the-vastness-but/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [There are no accomplished golf tour operators in Indonesia, so a golf holiday there is a do-it-yourself operation. But don't let that deter you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/there-are-no-accomplished-golf-tour-operators-in-indonesia-so-a-golf/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [The Philippines is a country in which a man of morals can't be president, in which a politician who hasn't been linked to any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/the-philippines-is-a-country-in-which-a-man-of-morals-can-t-be/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [Sydney's most famous beach is Bondi. At its southern end is Bondi Baths, an eight-lane, 50-meter saltwater pool built into the cliffs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/sydney-s-most-famous-beach-is-bondi-at-its-southern-end-is-bondi/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [Golf in Indonesia has something else to offer: ways to make you forget the last four hours and take away the aches. Nearly every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/golf-in-indonesia-has-something-else-to-offer-ways-to-make-you-forget/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) [Explore all 12 Raymond Bonner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've gradually gained more confidence swimming for distance in the open sea, but I still return to the rock pools.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Raymond Bonner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-swimming-for-distance-in-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Confidence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-swimming-for-distance-in-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/raymond-bonner-37469_confidence_i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-sw_1188800.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/raymond-bonner-37469_confidence_i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-sw_1188800.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/raymond-bonner-37469_confidence_i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-sw_1188800.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've gradually gained more confidence swimming for distance in the open sea, but I still return to the rock…” — Raymond Bonner", "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": "Raymond Bonner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've gradually gained more confidence swimming...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-swimming-for-distance-in-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/i-ve-gradually-gained-more-confidence-swimming-for-distance-in-the/#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 } } ] } ```