---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've always been I'd rather finish games…"
description: "\"I've always been I'd rather finish games than start games.\" — Alex Caruso"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/alex-caruso-6561_always_i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games_2651062.jpg"
---

#  I've always been I'd rather finish games than start games.

![“I've always been I'd rather finish games than start games.” quote by Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/alex-caruso-6561_always_i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games_2651062.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/alex-caruso-6561_always_i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games_2651062.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/alex-caruso-6561_always_i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games_2651062.jpg)

> “I've always been I'd rather finish games than start games.”

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker prefers finishing games over starting them, valuing completion and seeing.

**In simple terms:** Finish what you start, don’t chase new starts.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize seeing tasks through.

Themes

commitment focus perseverance goal completion

Mood

determined reflective

Type

motivational pragmatic

When to use this quote

- project completion
- team sports
- personal goals

Key Concepts

psychology productivity sports mindset

Questions to Reflect On

- What unfinished tasks linger?
- How does finishing affect confidence?

A Different Perspective

May limit exploration of new opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/)

## Related quotes

> [It's definitely more important to finish games than start games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javale-mcgee/it-s-definitely-more-important-to-finish-games-than-start-games/)

[JaVale McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javale-mcgee/)

> [I used to review games on 'The Totally Rad Show,' and the best thing about that was I would finish games. Now, it's become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-trachtenberg/i-used-to-review-games-on-the-totally-rad-show-and-the-best-thing/)

[Dan Trachtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-trachtenberg/)

> [I know a lot is going to be on our shoulders, especially the way we're starting games out. We have to start faster; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rodgers/i-know-a-lot-is-going-to-be-on-our-shoulders-especially-the-way-we-re/)

[Aaron Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rodgers/)

> [As you get older you play in more important games and that is when you start thinking about what will happen if you win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-rooney/as-you-get-older-you-play-in-more-important-games-and-that-is-when/)

[Wayne Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-rooney/)

> [You are not going to win many games if you start behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-root/you-are-not-going-to-win-many-games-if-you-start-behind/)

[Joe Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-root/)

> [Pre-season is a lot of hard work and no player really enjoys it, but you look forward to the start of the season when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-di-matteo/pre-season-is-a-lot-of-hard-work-and-no-player-really-enjoys-it-but/)

[Roberto Di Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-di-matteo/)

> [It's important to start games well and then we could keep control of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcos-alonso/it-s-important-to-start-games-well-and-then-we-could-keep-control-of/)

[Marcos Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcos-alonso/)

> [You can't start games 0-5 on third down and think you're going to have the type of day that you desire. You've got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tomlin/you-can-t-start-games-0-5-on-third-down-and-think-you-re-going-to/)

[Mike Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tomlin/)

> [Like all players, I prefer to start games, but when you watch from the bench you become anxious to get on and play and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-gnabry/like-all-players-i-prefer-to-start-games-but-when-you-watch-from-the/)

[Serge Gnabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-gnabry/)

> [You need to start games strongly and finish them strongly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred/you-need-to-start-games-strongly-and-finish-them-strongly/)

[Fred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred/)

> [A footballer who says they don't want to start games is in the wrong job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adebayo-akinfenwa/a-footballer-who-says-they-don-t-want-to-start-games-is-in-the-wrong/)

[Adebayo Akinfenwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adebayo-akinfenwa/)

> [From playing with the guys that I played with, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, I learned a lot about the game. I learned how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avery-bradley/from-playing-with-the-guys-that-i-played-with-kevin-garnett-and-paul/)

[Avery Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avery-bradley/)

> [When I finish games, I want to have the feeling that I helped my team as much as I could, and the fans saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadio-mane/when-i-finish-games-i-want-to-have-the-feeling-that-i-helped-my-team/)

[Sadio Mane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadio-mane/)

> [It doesn't really matter to me whether you start or not. I play a lot of fourth quarters. I think that's what's most important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/it-doesn-t-really-matter-to-me-whether-you-start-or-not-i-play-a-lot/)

[Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/)

> [As much as you love to finish games and all that kind of stuff, at the same time as a starting pitcher you hate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-glavine/as-much-as-you-love-to-finish-games-and-all-that-kind-of-stuff-at-the/)

[Tom Glavine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-glavine/)

## More by Alex Caruso

> [I grew up with a religious background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-grew-up-with-a-religious-background/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [That's the NBA and professional sports. You have to take care of business when you have the chance and if you don't you put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/that-s-the-nba-and-professional-sports-you-have-to-take-care-of/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [I need financial security for me, for my people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-need-financial-security-for-me-for-my-people/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [I'm going to try and keep getting better and better and better and part of that is being aggressive to score and a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-m-going-to-try-and-keep-getting-better-and-better-and-better-and/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [It's a blessing to play basketball, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/it-s-a-blessing-to-play-basketball-man/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [I try to be smart and use the court to my advantage, know where I have help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-try-to-be-smart-and-use-the-court-to-my-advantage-know-where-i-have/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [In first grade, I played in a league called Upwards Basketball in Bryan, Tex., and did that up until fifth or sixth grade. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/in-first-grade-i-played-in-a-league-called-upwards-basketball-in/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [We have a lot of privilege and a lot of responsibility to hold ourselves to a high standard and help people that are in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/we-have-a-lot-of-privilege-and-a-lot-of-responsibility-to-hold/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [It's been the story of my career. No matter what level I'm at, the more time I have on the court, the better I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/it-s-been-the-story-of-my-career-no-matter-what-level-i-m-at-the-more/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [My level of skill is average. I'm not making some bomb Italian dish or anything, but I can make food that tastes good and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/my-level-of-skill-is-average-i-m-not-making-some-bomb-italian-dish-or/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [Something you can control is your effort and your energy and playing defense. And for me that's always been a catalyst for my game,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/something-you-can-control-is-your-effort-and-your-energy-and-playing/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [Basketball at any level, middle school, high school, college, pro, winning basketball is winning basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/basketball-at-any-level-middle-school-high-school-college-pro-winning/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [I just try and anticipate the play - whether it's a steal, rebound, assist or a shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-just-try-and-anticipate-the-play-whether-it-s-a-steal-rebound/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [Whatever you want to do, do it. That's honestly for hair, for life. So you want to go get a toupee, you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/whatever-you-want-to-do-do-it-that-s-honestly-for-hair-for-life-so/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [I watch a lot of old basketball highlights and basketball games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-watch-a-lot-of-old-basketball-highlights-and-basketball-games/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

[Explore all 98 Alex Caruso quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

## More Always quotes

> [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/)

[Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/)

> [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/)

[Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/)

[William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/)

> [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/)

[Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/)

> [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/)

[Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/)

> [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/)

[Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/)

> [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/)

[Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/)

> [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/)

[Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/)

> [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/)

[Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/)

> [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/)

[Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/)

> [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/)

[Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/)

> [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/)

[Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/)

> [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/)

[Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/)

> [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/)

[Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/)

Browse all 36,048 Always quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I've always been I'd rather finish games than start games.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alex Caruso"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games-than-start-games/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Always"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games-than-start-games/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/alex-caruso-6561_always_i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games_2651062.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/alex-caruso-6561_always_i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games_2651062.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/alex-caruso-6561_always_i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games_2651062.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I've always been I'd rather finish games than start games.” — Alex Caruso",
                "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": "Alex Caruso",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I've always been I'd rather finish...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games-than-start-games/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-ve-always-been-i-d-rather-finish-games-than-start-games/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
