--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm always thinking about the private…" description: "\"I'm always thinking about the private battle, even in the field. I'm always trying to be better than the other person I'm against.\" — Ben Stokes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/ben-stokes-5571_battle_i-m-always-thinking-about-the-private-ba_2085061.jpg" --- # I'm always thinking about the private battle, even in the… ![“I'm always thinking about the private battle, even in the field. I'm always trying to be better than the other person I'm against.” quote by Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/ben-stokes-5571_battle_i-m-always-thinking-about-the-private-ba_2085061.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/ben-stokes-5571_battle_i-m-always-thinking-about-the-private-ba_2085061.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/ben-stokes-5571_battle_i-m-always-thinking-about-the-private-ba_2085061.jpg) > “I'm always thinking about the private battle, even in the field. I'm always trying to be better than the other person I'm against.” [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) ## 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 is constantly aware of internal struggles and strives to outperform rivals, even in everyday settings. **In simple terms:** Constant self‑competition and vigilance. Key Takeaway Use challenges as motivation to improve. Themes competition self‑improvement focus Mood determined intense Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - sports - workplace - personal goals Key Concepts psychology performance mindset Questions to Reflect On - What internal battles drive you? - How can you balance competition with collaboration? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Battle Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle-field-1280928/) [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Better person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-person/) [Field Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/field-trying-3435356/) [Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person/) [Private Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/private-battle-2366819/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Private](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-private-4092217/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Each of us wages a private battle each day between the grand fantasies we have for ourselves and what actually happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-guisewite/each-of-us-wages-a-private-battle-each-day-between-the-grand/) [Cathy Guisewite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-guisewite/) > [We all have a private world in which we live; that's the place where nobody comes; alone with our secret thoughts. Our own spouses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-s-hawkins/we-all-have-a-private-world-in-which-we-live-that-s-the-place-where/) [O. S. Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-s-hawkins/) > [When you're out on the field, you're trying to do as much as you can for the team. Whether that's assisting where you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-williamson/when-you-re-out-on-the-field-you-re-trying-to-do-as-much-as-you-can/) [Kane Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-williamson/) > [Love is a battle field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenchqueen/love-is-a-battle-field/) [Frenchqueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frenchqueen/) > [The truth is, no study is possible on the battle-field; one does there simply what one can in order to apply what one knows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/the-truth-is-no-study-is-possible-on-the-battle-field-one-does-there/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [Life is like a battle field fight for every moment to survive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sahil-rathod/life-is-like-a-battle-field-fight-for-every-moment-to-survive/) [Sahil Rathod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sahil-rathod/) > [Love is a battle field but you just have to keep fighting your way through it to realize who stays and who goes...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winterrose-warner/love-is-a-battle-field-but-you-just-have-to-keep-fighting-your-way/) [Winterrose Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winterrose-warner/) > [Every good soldier is trained for the battle field. God is prepping you my darlings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tonto-dikeh/every-good-soldier-is-trained-for-the-battle-field-god-is-prepping/) [Tonto Dikeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tonto-dikeh/) > [There is no French town in which the wounds inflicted on the battle-field are not bleeding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-duhamel/there-is-no-french-town-in-which-the-wounds-inflicted-on-the-battle/) [Georges Duhamel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-duhamel/) > [When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle-field, they have all one rank in my eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/when-soldiers-have-been-baptized-in-the-fire-of-a-battle-field-they/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Lay down the axe; fling by the spade; Leave in its track the toiling plough; The rifle and the bayonet-blade For arms like yours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-c-bryant/lay-down-the-axe-fling-by-the-spade-leave-in-its-track-the-toiling/) [William C. Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-c-bryant/) > [Every time we walk on to the field of battle and the field of battle is the internet, it doesn't matter if we shoot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/every-time-we-walk-on-to-the-field-of-battle-and-the-field-of-battle/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [My favorite thing about being a mom is just what a better person it makes you on a daily basis,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/my-favorite-thing-about-being-a-mom-is-just-what-a-better-person-it/) [Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/) > [Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-bear/go-afield-with-a-good-attitude-with-respect-for-the-wildlife-you-hunt/) [Fred Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-bear/) > [“Claiming to be offended is a great way to elevate yourself at the expense of others: “Look at me! I'm a much better person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/claiming-to-be-offended-is-a-great-way-to-elevate-yourself-at-the/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) ## More by Ben Stokes > [I have really enjoyed the responsibility of leading the team and making the decisions out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-have-really-enjoyed-the-responsibility-of-leading-the-team-and/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [I love playing against these guys who have the same attitude to the game that I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-love-playing-against-these-guys-who-have-the-same-attitude-to-the/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [I think momentum is huge in sport, especially in a series like the Ashes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-think-momentum-is-huge-in-sport-especially-in-a-series-like-the/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [I don't know how you work on concentration. You are either born with it or you're not. And I was definitely not born with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-don-t-know-how-you-work-on-concentration-you-are-either-born-with/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [There are guys that you look at and you want to really bowl at them or bat against them, certain guys who really get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/there-are-guys-that-you-look-at-and-you-want-to-really-bowl-at-them/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [You just keep your feet on the floor. I never feel I get too high and I never feel I get too low about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/you-just-keep-your-feet-on-the-floor-i-never-feel-i-get-too-high-and/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [I'm not necessarily a form player, more of an in-the-moment player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-m-not-necessarily-a-form-player-more-of-an-in-the-moment-player/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [It's fine for a bowler to have a plan but I feel as a batter you need to have another plan to counteract what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/it-s-fine-for-a-bowler-to-have-a-plan-but-i-feel-as-a-batter-you-need/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [We are all about the equality through society and sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/we-are-all-about-the-equality-through-society-and-sport/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [There has always been sledging in cricket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/there-has-always-been-sledging-in-cricket/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [I'll have a few pints the night before a match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-ll-have-a-few-pints-the-night-before-a-match/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [You can't feel your way into an Ashes series, you have to be switched on from ball one. That's just me in a nutshell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/you-can-t-feel-your-way-into-an-ashes-series-you-have-to-be-switched/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [It's not as if I ever left the pitch thinking 'I wish I'd given a bit more today.' You were always going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/it-s-not-as-if-i-ever-left-the-pitch-thinking-i-wish-i-d-given-a-bit/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [I sort of know my role with the ball but with the bat I've been up and down the order quite a few times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-sort-of-know-my-role-with-the-ball-but-with-the-bat-i-ve-been-up/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [I don't want to be remembered as the guy who had a fight in the street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-don-t-want-to-be-remembered-as-the-guy-who-had-a-fight-in-the-street/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) [Explore all 100 Ben Stokes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) ## More Battle quotes > [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/) [Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/) > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [“Which people take the time to care for their souls, these days? I reckon not many. But...hear this: I think that maybe in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-fletcher/which-people-take-the-time-to-care-for-their-souls-these-days-i/) [Susan Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-fletcher/) > [Only great and general battles can produce great results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/only-great-and-general-battles-can-produce-great-results/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [Life is a battle of wits, and many people have to fight it unarmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/life-is-a-battle-of-wits-and-many-people-have-to-fight-it-unarmed/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [When I step into the batters box. The fans, the noise, the cheers, they all disappear. For that moment, the world is just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/when-i-step-into-the-batters-box-the-fans-the-noise-the-cheers-they/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [I knew Jimmy Dean. He tested for 'Battle Cry'. Paul Newman tested for 'Battle Cry'. I did nine tests to finally get that role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tab-hunter/i-knew-jimmy-dean-he-tested-for-battle-cry-paul-newman-tested-for/) [Tab Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tab-hunter/) > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Love is a battle," said Marie-Claude, still smiling. "And I plan to go on fighting. To the end." Love is a battle?" said Franz.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/love-is-a-battle-said-marie-claude-still-smiling-and-i-plan-to-go-on/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [It's almost ironic sitting here watching stories about Norm's courageous 'battle' with cancer. He actually did a bit on stage about how stupid that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/it-s-almost-ironic-sitting-here-watching-stories-about-norm-s/) [Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/) > [“Other folk thought the Rage was simple bloodlust, a berserk savagery that neither knew nor cared what its target was, and so it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-weber/other-folk-thought-the-rage-was-simple-bloodlust-a-berserk-savagery/) [David Weber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-weber/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [For many people it's Facebook, or sports on TV, whatever it is. I have my own demons that I battle. But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/) [Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/) [Browse all 4,526 Battle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm always thinking about the private battle, even in the field. 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