--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All you can do is put in work. That's…" description: "\"All you can do is put in work. That's what you can control, the effort that you put in, and that's what I'm doing.\" — Clint Dempsey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed5/clint-dempsey-4960_control_all-you-can-do-is-put-in-work-that-s-wha_784945.png" --- # All you can do is put in work. That's what you can… ![“All you can do is put in work. That's what you can control, the effort that you put in, and that's what I'm doing.” quote by Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed5/clint-dempsey-4960_control_all-you-can-do-is-put-in-work-that-s-wha_784945.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed5/clint-dempsey-4960_control_all-you-can-do-is-put-in-work-that-s-wha_784945.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed5/clint-dempsey-4960_control_all-you-can-do-is-put-in-work-that-s-wha_784945.png) > “All you can do is put in work. That's what you can control, the effort that you put in, and that's what I'm doing.” [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal effort is the only controllable factor; success stems from consistent hard work. **In simple terms:** Work hard because that's what you can control. Key Takeaway Focus on effort, not outcomes. Themes self-discipline effort control Mood motivational practical Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - training routines - career development - goal setting Key Concepts growth mindset personal responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What habits maximize your effort? - How do you measure progress? A Different Perspective Effort alone may not guarantee success without opportunity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I can always make trouble for who I guard and control the effort I bring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bledsoe/i-can-always-make-trouble-for-who-i-guard-and-control-the-effort-i/) [Eric Bledsoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bledsoe/) > [It just look like I'm playing, but what's work when you're in control?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-p-smith/it-just-look-like-i-m-playing-but-what-s-work-when-you-re-in-control/) [Corey P Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-p-smith/) > [I found for me that my safe place was work. I could control my environment. I became very fastidious and detailed, and wanted things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-osmond/i-found-for-me-that-my-safe-place-was-work-i-could-control-my/) [Marie Osmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-osmond/) > [You can control what you put in your body, how you take care of yourself, how much you work. You have to control what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-bird/you-can-control-what-you-put-in-your-body-how-you-take-care-of/) [Sue Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-bird/) > [You can never control how people respond to your work. You can only control your own work ethic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-washington/you-can-never-control-how-people-respond-to-your-work-you-can-only/) [Kerry Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-washington/) > [For a rich and reasonably successful guy, it is impossible not to enjoy your job; otherwise, why would you spend so much time and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-potanin/for-a-rich-and-reasonably-successful-guy-it-is-impossible-not-to/) [Vladimir Potanin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-potanin/) > [What made me move up to welterweight was all the effort I was doing, to look at my health and have a good life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-dos-anjos/what-made-me-move-up-to-welterweight-was-all-the-effort-i-was-doing/) [Rafael dos Anjos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-dos-anjos/) > [People who are really efficient seem to do things easily, with a minimum of effort. In doing so they release maximum power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/people-who-are-really-efficient-seem-to-do-things-easily-with-a/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The first part of a good work is the will, the second is vigorous effort in the doing of it. God is the author…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/the-first-part-of-a-good-work-is-the-will-the-second-is-vigorous/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [There's nothing worse than putting all your effort into doing everything right for someone you love, and having it end up all wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-worse-than-putting-all-your-effort-into-doing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is not enough to want to make the effort... it's in the doing, not just the thinking that we accomplish our goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/it-is-not-enough-to-want-to-make-the-effort-it-s-in-the-doing-not/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Some people go through life not really deciding to do much, not wanting to, always too fearful of the consequences to try something new.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-colgan/some-people-go-through-life-not-really-deciding-to-do-much-not/) [Jenny Colgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-colgan/) > [Perseverance does not always mean sticking to the same thing forever. It means giving full concentration and effort to whatever you are doing right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/perseverance-does-not-always-mean-sticking-to-the-same-thing-forever/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Meditation is not your doing. You simply make the effort, but it is not your doing. Your effort is needed to prepare the ground.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/meditation-is-not-your-doing-you-simply-make-the-effort-but-it-is-not/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [“To give up on a person you care for who is trying and failing is a bad thing, but to cut ties with an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hudspeth/to-give-up-on-a-person-you-care-for-who-is-trying-and-failing-is-a/) Christopher Hudspeth ## More by Clint Dempsey > [Pressure brings the best out of people, or it can bring the worst out. It's just how you use it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/pressure-brings-the-best-out-of-people-or-it-can-bring-the-worst-out/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [Every year is a roller coaster. I've enjoyed the struggle of having new coaches and having to prove myself over again. Being able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/every-year-is-a-roller-coaster-i-ve-enjoyed-the-struggle-of-having/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [As I've become a professional, I just feel more pressure to produce, to score goals and get assists. I know I'm a good player,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/as-i-ve-become-a-professional-i-just-feel-more-pressure-to-produce-to/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [I would like to thank all of the fans who have supported me throughout my career with the New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham, Seattle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/i-would-like-to-thank-all-of-the-fans-who-have-supported-me/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [Maybe the law don't always handle things, but that doesn't mean things don't get handled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/maybe-the-law-don-t-always-handle-things-but-that-doesn-t-mean-things/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [I remember, growing up, losing a sister, and - life is short. Make the most of your opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/i-remember-growing-up-losing-a-sister-and-life-is-short-make-the-most/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [I always kind of struggled a little bit with being captain sometimes, because sometimes you feel like you have to be someone that you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/i-always-kind-of-struggled-a-little-bit-with-being-captain-sometimes/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [The more games you get, the more confidence you gain. I started to set the bar high for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/the-more-games-you-get-the-more-confidence-you-gain-i-started-to-set/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [I loved playing with friends and talking trash over 'FIFA' and 'Mario Kart.' Then, in the early stages of my professional career, I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/i-loved-playing-with-friends-and-talking-trash-over-fifa-and-mario/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [I was a mama's boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/i-was-a-mama-s-boy/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [Any goal is a good goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/any-goal-is-a-good-goal/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [The most important thing is making sure that we survive because Fulham deserves to be in the Premier League - it's a great club…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/the-most-important-thing-is-making-sure-that-we-survive-because/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [I have a lot of great memories of playing in Dallas as a kid, and I'm proud to represent Nacogdoches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/i-have-a-lot-of-great-memories-of-playing-in-dallas-as-a-kid-and-i-m/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [I'm a kid from Nacogdoches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/i-m-a-kid-from-nacogdoches/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) > [You're just grateful for every day, grateful for every game you get to play in because you never know when it's going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/you-re-just-grateful-for-every-day-grateful-for-every-game-you-get-to/) [Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) [Explore all 104 Clint Dempsey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/) ## More Control quotes > [We have to get control of our borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/we-have-to-get-control-of-our-borders/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“You can't control who loves you...you can't let someone love you anymore than you can make someone love you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/you-can-t-control-who-loves-you-you-can-t-let-someone-love-you/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [Don't think you can...know you can! You human body is the most impressive tool you'll ever own. Even if you can't control everything, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hardy/don-t-think-you-can-know-you-can-you-human-body-is-the-most/) [Jeff Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hardy/) > [If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-have-everything-under-control-you-re-not-moving-fast-enough/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [“Without time management, you lose control of your life and do what other people tell you to do. You lose control and become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-miller/without-time-management-you-lose-control-of-your-life-and-do-what/) Thomas Miller > [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/) [John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/) > [Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/many-of-us-rely-on-our-own-illusion-of-control-but-when-god-makes-it/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [“He who can destroy a thing has the real control of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/he-who-can-destroy-a-thing-has-the-real-control-of-it/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying or getting overly angry or to maintain control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-haysbert/sometimes-you-have-to-laugh-to-keep-from-crying-or-getting-overly/) [Dennis Haysbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-haysbert/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [Some nights I'm funny with the between-song commentary, some nights I'm not. I have no control over this. I pace the stage a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berman/some-nights-i-m-funny-with-the-between-song-commentary-some-nights-i/) [David Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berman/) > [“Control never be a means to any practical end. It can never be a means to anything but more control… Like punk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/control-never-be-a-means-to-any-practical-end-it-can-never-be-a-means/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) [Browse all 6,032 Control quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "All you can do is put in work. 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