---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The thrill isn't in the winning, it's in…"
description: "\"The thrill isn't in the winning, it's in the doing.\" — Chuck Noll"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/chuck-noll-16724_adventure_the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in_543705.jpg"
---

#  The thrill isn't in the winning, it's in the doing.

![“The thrill isn't in the winning, it's in the doing.” quote by Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/chuck-noll-16724_adventure_the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in_543705.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/chuck-noll-16724_adventure_the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in_543705.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/chuck-noll-16724_adventure_the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in_543705.jpg)

> “The thrill isn't in the winning, it's in the doing.”

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

## About This Quote

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

Success is secondary to the joy of active participation and effort, not just the outcome.

**In simple terms:** Joy comes from doing, not just winning.

Key Takeaway

Focus on the process.

Themes

participation joy effort

Mood

enthusiastic inspired

Type

motivational inspirational

When to use this quote

- sports
- creative projects
- personal goals
- team activities

Key Concepts

Motivation Flow state

Questions to Reflect On

- How does focusing on the process change your motivation?
- What activities give you joy independent of outcomes?

A Different Perspective

Winning alone may not sustain long‑term fulfillment.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Inspiring football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring-football/) [Isn Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/isn-winning-980063/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Thrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thrill/) [Thrill Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thrill-isn-4539978/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) [Winning Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning-doing-1461310/)

## Related quotes

> [Sometimes being a leader isn’t about winning. Sometimes it’s about doing what’s right, instead of what’s powerful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/sometimes-being-a-leader-isn-t-about-winning-sometimes-it-s-about/)

[James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/)

> [A cheap thrill, isn't always cheap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/a-cheap-thrill-isn-t-always-cheap/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [The most interesting thing about this sport, at least to me, it the activity of preparation-any aspect of preparation for the games. The thrill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/the-most-interesting-thing-about-this-sport-at-least-to-me-it-the/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [If you're winning, you're doing something right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-reaves/if-you-re-winning-you-re-doing-something-right/)

[Austin Reaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-reaves/)

> [I went through a stage in my career when I was thinking, 'Why is everyone overlooking me?' But I've been used to that since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-edwards/i-went-through-a-stage-in-my-career-when-i-was-thinking-why-is/)

[Leon Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-edwards/)

> [“It’s not about winning, it’s about doing what’s right. And yes, we will do what’s right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-ramirez/it-s-not-about-winning-it-s-about-doing-what-s-right-and-yes-we-will/)

[Steven Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-ramirez/)

> [I learned in the past that winning takes care of everything. As long as I am worried about winning and doing the right things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khris-middleton/i-learned-in-the-past-that-winning-takes-care-of-everything-as-long/)

[Khris Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khris-middleton/)

> [I believe whenever you're winning and doing the right thing, you're stats will be fine, and everything else will come in place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristaps-porzingis/i-believe-whenever-you-re-winning-and-doing-the-right-thing-you-re/)

[Kristaps Porzingis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristaps-porzingis/)

> [I just care about winning and doing what I can while I'm on the floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/i-just-care-about-winning-and-doing-what-i-can-while-i-m-on-the-floor/)

[Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/)

> [Never make a major decision based solely on money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/never-make-a-major-decision-based-solely-on-money/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [Being stubborn is a virtue when you're right; it's only a character flaw when you're wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/being-stubborn-is-a-virtue-when-you-re-right-it-s-only-a-character/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [I can't tell you how much you gain, how much progress you can make, by working together as a team, by helping one another.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/i-can-t-tell-you-how-much-you-gain-how-much-progress-you-can-make-by/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [Watch the film, not the stopwatch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/watch-the-film-not-the-stopwatch/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [Success isn't about winning everything; it’s about achieving your dream, be that teaching middle school or flying jets. And no matter what we as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zosia-mamet/success-isn-t-about-winning-everything-it-s-about-achieving-your/)

[Zosia Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zosia-mamet/)

> [If your No. 1 priority isn't winning, and people can tell? That's the battle. Now there's a problem between people, because that guy's No.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-butler/if-your-no-1-priority-isn-t-winning-and-people-can-tell-that-s-the/)

[Jimmy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-butler/)

## More by Chuck Noll

> [Good things come to those who hustle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/good-things-come-to-those-who-hustle/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [A life of frustration is inevitable for any coach whose main enjoyment is winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/a-life-of-frustration-is-inevitable-for-any-coach-whose-main/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [Some coaches pray for wisdom. I pray for 260-pound tackles. They'll give me plenty of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/some-coaches-pray-for-wisdom-i-pray-for-260-pound-tackles-they-ll/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [I've always avoided publicity. I've never been good copy at any stage of my life. I don't strive for it, because I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/i-ve-always-avoided-publicity-i-ve-never-been-good-copy-at-any-stage/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [It's not pleasant when you lose your whole football team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/it-s-not-pleasant-when-you-lose-your-whole-football-team/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [“Leaving the game plan is a sign of panic, and panic is not in our game plan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/leaving-the-game-plan-is-a-sign-of-panic-and-panic-is-not-in-our-game/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [The key to a winning season is focusing on one opponent at a time. Winning one week at a time. Never look back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/the-key-to-a-winning-season-is-focusing-on-one-opponent-at-a-time/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [I used to tell the players that professional football is a part-time profession. I used to tell them it gets you ready for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/i-used-to-tell-the-players-that-professional-football-is-a-part-time/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [Mamas, don't let your sons grow up to be Cowboys... or Oilers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/mamas-don-t-let-your-sons-grow-up-to-be-cowboys-or-oilers/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [I can't tell you how much you gain, how much progress you can make, by working together as a team, by helping one another.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/i-can-t-tell-you-how-much-you-gain-how-much-progress-you-can-make-by/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [On every team, there is a core group that sets the tone for everyone else. If the tone is positive, you have half the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/on-every-team-there-is-a-core-group-that-sets-the-tone-for-everyone/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [As you gain experience, you mature as an individual, and along with that comes the confidence that you have the ability to solve problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/as-you-gain-experience-you-mature-as-an-individual-and-along-with/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [Pressure is what you feel when you don't know what's going on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/pressure-is-what-you-feel-when-you-don-t-know-what-s-going-on/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [Some citizens are so good that nothing a leader can do will make them better. Others are so incorrigible that nothing can be done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/some-citizens-are-so-good-that-nothing-a-leader-can-do-will-make-them/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [If you want to win, do the ordinary things better than anyone else does them day in and day out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/if-you-want-to-win-do-the-ordinary-things-better-than-anyone-else/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

[Explore all 39 Chuck Noll quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

## More Adventure quotes

> [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/)

[Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/)

> [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/)

[Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/)

> [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/)

[Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/)

> [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/)

[Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/)

> [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/)

[Jessica Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-yu/)

> [“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/so-many-people-live-within-unhappy-circumstances-and-yet-will-not/)

[Alexander Supertramp Chris McCandless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/)

> [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/)

[Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/)

> [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/)

[Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/)

> [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [“Love can give you such happiness, then can break the very heart it filled, leaving a hole that can never be fixed or protected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mcleod/love-can-give-you-such-happiness-then-can-break-the-very-heart-it/)

[Kevin McLeod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mcleod/)

> [“It always gave Wolf a peculiar thrill thus to tighten his grip upon his stick, thus to wrap himself more closely in his faded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cowper-powys/it-always-gave-wolf-a-peculiar-thrill-thus-to-tighten-his-grip-upon/)

[John Cowper Powys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cowper-powys/)

> [“It all had to be squeezed and squeezed again, to provide a thrill, to provide enjoyment. What did people mean, with their simply determined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence-2/it-all-had-to-be-squeezed-and-squeezed-again-to-provide-a-thrill-to/)

[D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/)

> [I am not an adventurous person but I am gutsy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-vaidya/i-am-not-an-adventurous-person-but-i-am-gutsy/)

[Rahul Vaidya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-vaidya/)

> [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

[Browse all 7,690 Adventure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The thrill isn't in the winning, it's in the doing.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Chuck Noll"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in-the-doing/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Adventure"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in-the-doing/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/chuck-noll-16724_adventure_the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in_543705.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/chuck-noll-16724_adventure_the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in_543705.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/chuck-noll-16724_adventure_the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in_543705.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The thrill isn't in the winning, it's in the doing.” — Chuck Noll",
                "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": "Chuck Noll",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The thrill isn't in the winning,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in-the-doing/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/the-thrill-isn-t-in-the-winning-it-s-in-the-doing/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
