I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only… — Mikhail Baryshnikov | Printable Wall Art

“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”

Words by Mikhail Baryshnikov (b. 1948) — Russian-American ballet dancer.

About this quote

This quotation shifts the focus of ambition from external competition to self-improvement. True mastery is an internal pursuit rather than a contest with others. By measuring progress only against your past self, you foster genuine artistic growth and resilience. It encourages personal excellence through dedicated effort, freeing the mind from envy or the pressure of constant comparison.

Widely attributed to the Russian-American ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, this statement reflects his personal philosophy towards dance and discipline. It has been cited frequently in interviews and literature on artistic performance.

People often hang this print in a home gym, studio, or study to inspire daily personal growth.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 18 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Tracked Caps Unsigned · Editorial Justified

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.