--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Play small ball. Get back to basics. I…" description: "\"Play small ball. Get back to basics. I would say that you need to be a conservative, but you need to maintain your independent streak.\" — Andrea Tantaros" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaa/andrea-tantaros-24125_back-to-basics_play-small-ball-get-back-to-basics-i-wou_2583.jpg" --- # Play small ball. Get back to basics. I would say that you… ![“Play small ball. Get back to basics. I would say that you need to be a conservative, but you need to maintain your independent streak.” quote by Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaa/andrea-tantaros-24125_back-to-basics_play-small-ball-get-back-to-basics-i-wou_2583.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaa/andrea-tantaros-24125_back-to-basics_play-small-ball-get-back-to-basics-i-wou_2583.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaa/andrea-tantaros-24125_back-to-basics_play-small-ball-get-back-to-basics-i-wou_2583.jpg) > “Play small ball. Get back to basics. I would say that you need to be a conservative, but you need to maintain your independent streak.” [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adopt a modest, fundamentals‑first approach while preserving independent judgment; simplicity and self‑reliance coexist. **In simple terms:** Blend modesty with independent thinking. Key Takeaway Stay grounded yet self‑directed. Themes simplicity independence conservatism self‑reliance strategy Mood focused confident pragmatic Type advice strategic motivational When to use this quote - career planning - budgeting - team leadership - creative projects Key Concepts minimalism critical thinking personal branding Practical Applications - personal development workshops - strategic planning sessions Questions to Reflect On - What does “play small” mean in your current goals? - How can you guard independence while following conventions? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Back to basics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/back-to-basics/) [Balls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balls/) [Basics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basics/) [Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative/) [Conservative Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative-need-265022/) [Get back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-back/) [Independent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independent/) [Maintain Independent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maintain-independent-265023/) [Need Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-conservative-265021/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play Small](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-small-264869/) [Streaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streaks/) ## Related quotes > [I happen to be a conservative, but one need not accept the Right's theories wholesale to acknowledge the sometimes negative effects of government action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance-2/i-happen-to-be-a-conservative-but-one-need-not-accept-the-right-s/) [J. 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I'm happiest when I'm behind the kit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-astley/i-started-out-as-a-drummer-and-now-play-with-a-back-to-basics-rock/) [Rick Astley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-astley/) > [Adele is so great! I love "Someone Like You"! Everyone is just raving about it. What's so nice about it - and a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-ellis/adele-is-so-great-i-love-someone-like-you-everyone-is-just-raving/) [Kerry Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-ellis/) > [We have to come back to basics: learning how to take care of ourselves. Not only learning to love our bodies - and that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/we-have-to-come-back-to-basics-learning-how-to-take-care-of-ourselves/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [The only way you can stay on top is to remember to touch bottom and get back to basics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-black/the-only-way-you-can-stay-on-top-is-to-remember-to-touch-bottom-and/) [Shane Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-black/) > [When we appreciate how much we have, we feel the urge to pare down, get back to basics, and learn what is essential for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/when-we-appreciate-how-much-we-have-we-feel-the-urge-to-pare-down-get/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [If we want to find safe alternatives to obstetrics, we must rediscover midwifery. To rediscover midwifery is the same as giving back childbirth to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/if-we-want-to-find-safe-alternatives-to-obstetrics-we-must-rediscover/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [“I passionately believe home cooking has vast benefit to individuals, families, community, environment and animal welfare, but in today’s busy society it is often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyce-alexandra/i-passionately-believe-home-cooking-has-vast-benefit-to-individuals/) [Alyce Alexandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyce-alexandra/) > [Back to Basics was absolute humbug, wasn't it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwina-currie/back-to-basics-was-absolute-humbug-wasn-t-it/) [Edwina Currie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwina-currie/) > [As I get older, I use less jewelry - necklace or earrings each morning, not both; my clothes are getting more basic - fewer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/as-i-get-older-i-use-less-jewelry-necklace-or-earrings-each-morning/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) ## More by Andrea Tantaros > [I'm OK with guns in schools, if it's a security, trained security personnel. But every teacher having a gun, I don't know if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/i-m-ok-with-guns-in-schools-if-it-s-a-security-trained-security/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [George Washington said, "All I am, I owe to my mother." That's so true. My mom pushed me to get in politics. She pushed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/george-washington-said-all-i-am-i-owe-to-my-mother-that-s-so-true-my/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [You also need to show a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to impropriety. That's one of the things, again, that Republicans left on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/you-also-need-to-show-a-zero-tolerance-policy-when-it-comes-to/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [We focused so much on saying, "Don't vote for them and here's why" and we didn't tell the American people "Vote for us and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/we-focused-so-much-on-saying-don-t-vote-for-them-and-here-s-why-and/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [Hollywood's thinking is very typical. And it's just really predictable too. And I think at Hollywood, these box office movies are flopping. I mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/hollywood-s-thinking-is-very-typical-and-it-s-just-really-predictable/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [ I hate to say it, but she's trying to copy Miley \[Cyrus\] and Miley's trying to copy her. The era of Madonna is over. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/i-hate-to-say-it-but-she-s-trying-to-copy-miley-cyrus-and-miley-s/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [Can I give a little advice to the old man on Capitol Hill? Stop saying teabagger. Ask your younger staffers what it means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/can-i-give-a-little-advice-to-the-old-man-on-capitol-hill-stop-saying/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [I think the liberals are going to try to blame - and they already are - this entire mess on the right and on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/i-think-the-liberals-are-going-to-try-to-blame-and-they-already-are/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [ Maybe Republicans should get nukes and the president \[Barack Obama\] will talk to them. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/maybe-republicans-should-get-nukes-and-the-president-barack-obama/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [Republicans and conservatives have to figure out that Democrats have plenty of rope to hang themselves on their own. But you have to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/republicans-and-conservatives-have-to-figure-out-that-democrats-have/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [Medical malpractice - that's a great issue for Republicans and you didn't hear anyone talk about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/medical-malpractice-that-s-a-great-issue-for-republicans-and-you-didn/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [I think Republicans forgot how to communicate with the American people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/i-think-republicans-forgot-how-to-communicate-with-the-american-people/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [ The history of \[Mariano\] Rivera is pretty unbelievable. And even if you're not a Yankee or a baseball fan, you have to appreciate the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/the-history-of-mariano-rivera-is-pretty-unbelievable-and-even-if-you/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [Usually step one in a recovery is admitting that you have a problem. I think that's an important thing for the Republican Party to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/usually-step-one-in-a-recovery-is-admitting-that-you-have-a-problem-i/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [I also think the party needs to work on a couple different fronts. There are so many fault lines within the party: conservative vs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/i-also-think-the-party-needs-to-work-on-a-couple-different-fronts/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) [Explore all 25 Andrea Tantaros quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) ## More Back to basics quotes > [The only way you can stay on top is to remember to touch bottom and get back to basics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-black/the-only-way-you-can-stay-on-top-is-to-remember-to-touch-bottom-and/) [Shane Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-black/) > [Back to Basics was absolute humbug, wasn't it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwina-currie/back-to-basics-was-absolute-humbug-wasn-t-it/) [Edwina Currie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwina-currie/) > [“I passionately believe home cooking has vast benefit to individuals, families, community, environment and animal welfare, but in today’s busy society it is often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyce-alexandra/i-passionately-believe-home-cooking-has-vast-benefit-to-individuals/) [Alyce Alexandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyce-alexandra/) > [If we want to find safe alternatives to obstetrics, we must rediscover midwifery. To rediscover midwifery is the same as giving back childbirth to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/if-we-want-to-find-safe-alternatives-to-obstetrics-we-must-rediscover/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [When we appreciate how much we have, we feel the urge to pare down, get back to basics, and learn what is essential for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/when-we-appreciate-how-much-we-have-we-feel-the-urge-to-pare-down-get/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [More than ever before, we need to learn and apply the principles of economic self-reliance. We do not know when the crisis involving sickness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/more-than-ever-before-we-need-to-learn-and-apply-the-principles-of/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [I started out as a drummer, and now play with a back-to-basics rock band called the 'Luddites.' I'm happiest when I'm behind the kit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-astley/i-started-out-as-a-drummer-and-now-play-with-a-back-to-basics-rock/) [Rick Astley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-astley/) > [Adele is so great! I love "Someone Like You"! Everyone is just raving about it. What's so nice about it - and a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-ellis/adele-is-so-great-i-love-someone-like-you-everyone-is-just-raving/) [Kerry Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-ellis/) > [We have to come back to basics: learning how to take care of ourselves. Not only learning to love our bodies - and that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/we-have-to-come-back-to-basics-learning-how-to-take-care-of-ourselves/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [As I get older, I use less jewelry - necklace or earrings each morning, not both; my clothes are getting more basic - fewer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/as-i-get-older-i-use-less-jewelry-necklace-or-earrings-each-morning/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [Back to basics Rock & Roll capturing the beauty and simplicity of punk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-crowley/back-to-basics-rock-roll-capturing-the-beauty-and-simplicity-of-punk/) [Gary Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-crowley/) [Browse all 12 Back to basics quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/back-to-basics/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Play small ball. 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