Skip to main content

Motivation Quote by James Collins

"The answer I have is, you know, there a lot of things you can try to build to last. And what we try to do in our work is to come up with ideas that will last. Ideas that will stand the test of time"

About this Quote

Collins is selling permanence in a culture trained to binge and discard. The quote lands in that familiar athlete cadence - half conversational ("you know") and half mission statement - but the real move is aspirational branding: shifting the conversation from trophies and seasons to legacy. In sports, "build to last" is usually about bodies, teams, and careers that are notoriously fragile. Collins pivots away from the physical clock and toward something less perishable: ideas.

That choice is strategic. Athletes are increasingly expected to be more than highlight reels; they're asked for platforms, principles, and postgame meaning. By emphasizing "our work" and "ideas", Collins expands his arena. He's not just training or competing; he's positioning himself (and his circle) as builders of culture - the kind that survives beyond a contract, a scoreboard, or a viral moment. It's the language of foundations, mentorship programs, and brands that want to feel like movements.

"Stand the test of time" is also a quiet rebuttal to the churn of hot takes and trend-driven identity. The subtext: we're not here for clout, we're here for continuity. At the same time, it's safely noncommittal. He doesn't name the ideas, which keeps the claim broad enough to fit whatever comes next - a charitable initiative, a business venture, a style of play, even a personal reinvention. The quote works because it reframes endurance as a moral category: lasting isn't just impressive, it's the point.

Quote Details

TopicVision & Strategy
SourceHelp us find the source
More Quotes by James Add to List
Ideas That Will Stand the Test of Time by James Collins
Click to enlarge Portrait | Landscape

About the Author

James Collins (born November 5, 1973) is a Athlete.

12 more quotes available

View Profile

Similar Quotes