--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't think about the start of the race…" description: "\"Don't think about the start of the race, think about the ending.\" — Usain Bolt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/usain-bolt-2441_ending_don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race_2646210.jpg" --- # Don't think about the start of the race, think about the… ![“Don't think about the start of the race, think about the ending.” quote by Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/usain-bolt-2441_ending_don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race_2646210.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/usain-bolt-2441_ending_don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race_2646210.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/usain-bolt-2441_ending_don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race_2646210.jpg) > “Don't think about the start of the race, think about the ending.” [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focus on the finish line rather than the start to maintain motivation and purpose. **In simple terms:** Think about the goal, not the beginning. Key Takeaway Keep the end in mind. Themes goal‑orientation motivation focus Mood motivational determined Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - training programs - project planning - personal development Key Concepts sports psychology goal setting Questions to Reflect On - How does visualizing success affect performance? - What steps keep you aligned with your goal? A Different Perspective Starting anxiety can be unavoidable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I never know what I'm going to write next. If I'm still writing the book but I'm very near the end, and I begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-never-know-what-i-m-going-to-write-next-if-i-m-still-writing-the/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Some good relationship would come to an end. all you have to do is to step back so that you will not get badly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carm/some-good-relationship-would-come-to-an-end-all-you-have-to-do-is-to/) [Carm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carm/) > [When people kill themselves, they think they're ending the pain, but all they're doing is passing it on to those they leave behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/when-people-kill-themselves-they-think-they-re-ending-the-pain-but/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [I never like to think of anything from an ending point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-hurley/i-never-like-to-think-of-anything-from-an-ending-point/) [John O'Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-hurley/) > [You teach someone about fallopian tubes in grade school, and you revisit it again in seventh grade for a better understanding of that stuff.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-kirkman/you-teach-someone-about-fallopian-tubes-in-grade-school-and-you/) [Jen Kirkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-kirkman/) > [When you think about ending your life for your self, just sit back and think about what a blessing it is that you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-jennison/when-you-think-about-ending-your-life-for-your-self-just-sit-back-and/) [Maggie Jennison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-jennison/) > [Affirmative action has been generally cast in terms of race. I think women themselves are not as cognizant of the role affirmative action has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-wattleton/affirmative-action-has-been-generally-cast-in-terms-of-race-i-think/) [Faye Wattleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-wattleton/) > [Many runners worry about who is in the race, or they think about the time they must run to win. I only try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rono/many-runners-worry-about-who-is-in-the-race-or-they-think-about-the/) Henry Rono > [I think he had a wake-up call. It's a different kind of race, and I think maybe he didn't take it quite as seriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-shorter/i-think-he-had-a-wake-up-call-it-s-a-different-kind-of-race-and-i/) [Frank Shorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-shorter/) > [In England, you feel like a member of the revolutionary guard the minute you even mention race. But I do think that the OscarsSoWhite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harewood/in-england-you-feel-like-a-member-of-the-revolutionary-guard-the/) [David Harewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harewood/) > [We believe as much in the purity of race as we think they do... We believe also that the white race of South Africa…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/we-believe-as-much-in-the-purity-of-race-as-we-think-they-do-we/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I don't think we should stop emphasizing race because I think, you know, race is still very, very important, and we have to recognize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-julius-wilson/i-don-t-think-we-should-stop-emphasizing-race-because-i-think-you/) [William Julius Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-julius-wilson/) > [I do think that people will claim a certain fatigue about talking about race. But I think that even though they do, it's still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-do-think-that-people-will-claim-a-certain-fatigue-about-talking/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [My concern was first, for the black people of Mississippi, then I became concerned for black people nationwide, now my concern is for black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-banner/my-concern-was-first-for-the-black-people-of-mississippi-then-i/) [David Banner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-banner/) > [I am always nervous before the start of a race. It helps me to say to myself to try my very best. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-karnazes/i-am-always-nervous-before-the-start-of-a-race-it-helps-me-to-say-to/) [Dean Karnazes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-karnazes/) ## More by Usain Bolt > [The clubs, that's easy to cut out, because I know when the season ends I can look forward to going out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/the-clubs-that-s-easy-to-cut-out-because-i-know-when-the-season-ends/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [It's always a wake-up call to get beaten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/it-s-always-a-wake-up-call-to-get-beaten/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [Unfortunately, I don't usually get to see much outside the Olympics as I compete almost every day. I have been to Rio a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/unfortunately-i-don-t-usually-get-to-see-much-outside-the-olympics-as/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [I have to show who I am, play with the crowd, play with the camera. When people come to a race, part of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/i-have-to-show-who-i-am-play-with-the-crowd-play-with-the-camera-when/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [It was not perfect but I'm very happy. It could have been better, but I'm now looking forward to my second race of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/it-was-not-perfect-but-i-m-very-happy-it-could-have-been-better-but-i/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [You can't really give away anything in your book ... should be exciting, it's my life, and I'm a cool and exciting guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/you-can-t-really-give-away-anything-in-your-book-should-be-exciting/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [I think sometimes, when you're on top and all you do is win, win, win, win, win, you get lazy and lose focus. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/i-think-sometimes-when-you-re-on-top-and-all-you-do-is-win-win-win/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [Once a year I will clean my room, just because I feel I should.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/once-a-year-i-will-clean-my-room-just-because-i-feel-i-should/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [I can't watch a Mayweather fight. I don't find it exciting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/i-can-t-watch-a-mayweather-fight-i-don-t-find-it-exciting/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [I am now a legend. I am also the greatest athlete to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/i-am-now-a-legend-i-am-also-the-greatest-athlete-to-live/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [If you feel strongly about something and you want to voice your opinion, I feel it's your right, so, that's how I look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/if-you-feel-strongly-about-something-and-you-want-to-voice-your/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [We're not like the distance guys. I have a very simple approach. I don't overcomplicate. People ask me, are you doing 42 steps, 44…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/we-re-not-like-the-distance-guys-i-have-a-very-simple-approach-i-don/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [I remember once, actually the first race I ran, I fell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/i-remember-once-actually-the-first-race-i-ran-i-fell/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [For some reason, when I get to the 200m, I'm always a little bit nervous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/for-some-reason-when-i-get-to-the-200m-i-m-always-a-little-bit-nervous/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [“Win from within”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/win-from-within/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) [Explore all 166 Usain Bolt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) ## More Ending quotes > [So many times in television, you get cancelled arbitrarily as a result of your ratings in the off season, and you don't have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-wyle/so-many-times-in-television-you-get-cancelled-arbitrarily-as-a-result/) [Noah Wyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-wyle/) > [So ,you're thinking it's ending but it's only just began.Your whole life is there right-right in front of you! Life's a story that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/so-you-re-thinking-it-s-ending-but-it-s-only-just-began-your-whole/) Unkown > [You could be the leaf that never falls from the tree you could be the sun that never leaves the sky this might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/you-could-be-the-leaf-that-never-falls-from-the-tree-you-could-be-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [The happy ending is hardly important, though we may be glad its there. The real joy is knowing that if you felt the trouble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-barry/the-happy-ending-is-hardly-important-though-we-may-be-glad-its-there/) [Lynda Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-barry/) > [It doesn't matter to me if it has a surprise ending or not. I usually go for the material or the project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-wahlberg/it-doesn-t-matter-to-me-if-it-has-a-surprise-ending-or-not-i-usually/) [Donnie Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-wahlberg/) > [Business, much like life, is not a movie, and not everyone gets to have a storybook ending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/om-malik/business-much-like-life-is-not-a-movie-and-not-everyone-gets-to-have/) [Om Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/om-malik/) > [ Harvey \[Weinstein\] didn't want to release \[MY SON THE FANATIC\]; he held it for two years because he wanted a happy ending, although I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/harvey-weinstein-didn-t-want-to-release-my-son-the-fanatic-he-held-it/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [Pagan Romans started their midwinter celebrations with the feast of Saturnalia on 17 December, ending them with a new year festival, the Kalendae Januariae,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-roberts/pagan-romans-started-their-midwinter-celebrations-with-the-feast-of/) [Alice Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-roberts/) > [Maybe my movie isn't over, I say, because sometimes moviemakers trick the audience with a false bad ending, and just when you think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/maybe-my-movie-isn-t-over-i-say-because-sometimes-moviemakers-trick/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [I loathe people who say, 'I always read the ending of the book first.' That really irritates me, It's like someone coming to dinner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-loathe-people-who-say-i-always-read-the-ending-of-the-book-first/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Friendship doesn't has ending...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/friendship-doesn-t-has-ending/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In 2010, Republicans took control of politics in Alabama by advocating for increased transparency and an end to government corruption, but instead of ending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-crumpton/in-2010-republicans-took-control-of-politics-in-alabama-by-advocating/) [Ron Crumpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-crumpton/) > [Yesterday brought the beginning, tomorrow brings the end, and somewhere in the middle we became the best of friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/yesterday-brought-the-beginning-tomorrow-brings-the-end-and-somewhere/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Break ups arent always meant for make ups. Sometimes relationships end in order for you to wake up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix-mae/break-ups-arent-always-meant-for-make-ups-sometimes-relationships-end/) [Nix Mae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix-mae/) > [Everything we do really is just a little marker on the long road to death. And sometimes that’s overwhelmingly depressing to me, and sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/everything-we-do-really-is-just-a-little-marker-on-the-long-road-to/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) Browse all 1,316 Ending quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't think about the start of the race, think about the ending.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Usain Bolt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race-think-about-the-ending/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ending" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race-think-about-the-ending/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/usain-bolt-2441_ending_don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race_2646210.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/usain-bolt-2441_ending_don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race_2646210.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/usain-bolt-2441_ending_don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race_2646210.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Don't think about the start of the race, think about the ending.” — Usain Bolt", "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": "Usain Bolt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Don't think about the start of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race-think-about-the-ending/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/don-t-think-about-the-start-of-the-race-think-about-the-ending/#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 } } ] } ```