--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My ambition was to become the best…" description: "\"My ambition was to become the best climber and I never did. I think that goal was a wrong goal. A better one is to put more emphasis on enjoyment and o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/beb/royal-robbins-32416_achievement_my-ambition-was-to-become-the-best-climb_570199.jpg" --- # My ambition was to become the best climber and I never… ![“My ambition was to become the best climber and I never did. I think that goal was a wrong goal. A better one is to put more emphasis on enjoyment and on getting a rounded experience and on things like friendship, rather than on sheer achievement.” quote by Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/beb/royal-robbins-32416_achievement_my-ambition-was-to-become-the-best-climb_570199.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/beb/royal-robbins-32416_achievement_my-ambition-was-to-become-the-best-climb_570199.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/beb/royal-robbins-32416_achievement_my-ambition-was-to-become-the-best-climb_570199.jpg) > “My ambition was to become the best climber and I never did. I think that goal was a wrong goal. A better one is to put more emphasis on enjoyment and on getting a rounded experience and on things like friendship, rather than on sheer achievement.” [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He realized that chasing pure achievement can be hollow; valuing enjoyment, well‑rounded experiences, and friendships yields deeper fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Focus on joy and relationships over trophies. Key Takeaway Prioritize balanced growth. Themes ambition fulfillment friendship balance Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - climbing - career planning - life goals Key Concepts intrinsic motivation holistic success personal values Questions to Reflect On - What does “rounded experience” mean to you? - How can you integrate enjoyment into goals? A Different Perspective Success can still feel empty without purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achievement/) [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Climber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climber/) [Climbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbers/) [Climbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbing/) [Enjoyment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoyment/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“The Climber did not interfere. 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No matter where I go, I always feel like a climber.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-allison/the-deepest-part-of-me-is-and-will-always-be-a-climber-no-matter/) [Stacy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-allison/) > [In his laborious efforts to attain mountaintops, where the air is lighter and purer, the climber gains new strength of limb. In the endeavor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/in-his-laborious-efforts-to-attain-mountaintops-where-the-air-is/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) ## More by Royal Robbins > [The terrible thing about free soloing difficult routes that are within one's capacity, is the chance that faced with ultimate danger and need for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/the-terrible-thing-about-free-soloing-difficult-routes-that-are/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [Before the deed comes the thought. Before the achievement comes the dream. Every mountain we climb, we first climb in our mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/before-the-deed-comes-the-thought-before-the-achievement-comes-the/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [The rock is a field of battle between our weakness and our strength. We wouldn't touch rock if we were perfectly self-controlled. And he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/the-rock-is-a-field-of-battle-between-our-weakness-and-our-strength/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [With the best equipment in the world the man with poor judgment is in mortal danger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/with-the-best-equipment-in-the-world-the-man-with-poor-judgment-is-in/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [Our ascent, of course, does not end the possibility for new accomplishments on El Capitan. 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Great because it will not let us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/climbing-is-a-great-game-great-not-in-spite-of-the-demands-it-makes/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [When it's been a long day of climbing, and I feel like I can't go any farther, I concentrate on the next three feet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/when-it-s-been-a-long-day-of-climbing-and-i-feel-like-i-can-t-go-any/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [A first ascent is a creation in the same sense as is a painting or a song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/a-first-ascent-is-a-creation-in-the-same-sense-as-is-a-painting-or-a/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [The rock is a field of battle between our weakness and our strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/the-rock-is-a-field-of-battle-between-our-weakness-and-our-strength-2/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [Better we raise our skill than lower the climb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/better-we-raise-our-skill-than-lower-the-climb/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) [Explore all 15 Royal Robbins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) ## More Achievement quotes > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. 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If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [It's tragic what America has become because there is a great segment of society that now resents luxury and success and achievement by others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-leach/it-s-tragic-what-america-has-become-because-there-is-a-great-segment/) [Robin Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-leach/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. 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