Sherman Alexie Quotes

We feel pressure from every angle to meet expectations, but the pressure also pushes us in a positive was as well.

We want to prove we are good writers or good business, good parents or good teachers. The world is very competitive and catches us in this frenzy. It wants us to go here, be there, and be part of this or that.

I wasn't athletic as a kid, and I was self-conscious about my body, but then in eighth grade I won a school contest, and the prize was a bunch of personal training sessions.

And indeed if you think you're a genius at something, what you achieve is very much according to your expectations; if you think you're no good, you're not going to get anywhere.

I want kids to know that it is okay to make a change in order to feel better about themselves.

I don't have a strong sense of self-worth unless I'm doing something.

I have always... expected a lot from myself.

I like the encouragement I get from doing new things. I like to feel scared or challenged in the hope that I can pull it off. That little bit of fear creates an energy that I can channel into the performance.

The healthy child has to have something to look forward to.

When we make progress and get better at something, it is inherently motivating. In order for people to make progress, they have to get feedback and information on how they're doing.

Encouragement helps you to go one step more, become better.

When you continue to perform, your confidence level increases dramatically.

It's nice to have it recognised that I'm doing well and to have people saying good things about me, but I try not to take too much interest. I just try to focus on my own game and what I need to do to improve.

It isn't just about winning the championship and I don't think you should be defined by that.

The most successful people do play extensions of themselves in the ring.

I'm always looking to improve as a player and it's very pleasing when you see those improvements.

I never wanted the fans to remember me as anything but my best.

I have got lots of confidence in my own ability and I know I have got to keep up my standards.

I didn't really think I was really good, I was just playing the game because I enjoyed playing it with my friends. Then once I started playing organized soccer, parents, coaches and other teammates were telling me to keep going and that I could become something so I started believing it.

Competition can only make you as an individual better and let you perform better, it can only be a positive thing.

You live up - or down - to your expectations.

To measure up to all that is demanded of him, a man must overestimate his capacities

No one rises to low expectations

It's my experience that people rise to the level of their own expectations and of the competition they seek out.

Come on, if you don't win tonight it doesn't mean you're not a good person, it just means you're not a good actor.