--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You always want to play at the highest…" description: "\"You always want to play at the highest level possible and make the most of your career, and I felt like I did everything I could.\" — Clint Dempsey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/clint-dempsey-4960_career_you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-l_2084679.jpg" --- # You always want to play at the highest level possible and… ![“You always want to play at the highest level possible and make the most of your career, and I felt like I did everything I could.” quote by Clint Dempsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/clint-dempsey-4960_career_you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-l_2084679.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/clint-dempsey-4960_career_you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-l_2084679.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/clint-dempsey-4960_career_you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-l_2084679.jpg) > “You always want to play at the highest level possible and make the most of your career, and I felt like I did everything I could.” [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. Striving for peak performance and giving your all defines a committed career. **In simple terms:** Give your best at the highest level. Key Takeaway Commit fully to your goals. Themes achievement career effort Mood determined optimistic Type motivational career When to use this quote - professional sports - career planning - skill development Key Concepts high performance personal excellence sportsmanship Questions to Reflect On - What does “doing everything” mean to you? - How do you measure personal success? A Different Perspective Success also depends on opportunity and luck. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [It's one thing to have a lot of talent together. It's another to have everyone play at their highest level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/it-s-one-thing-to-have-a-lot-of-talent-together-it-s-another-to-have/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [That is the aim for every player, to play at the highest level possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ollie-watkins/that-is-the-aim-for-every-player-to-play-at-the-highest-level-possible/) [Ollie Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ollie-watkins/) > [We want to play on the highest level and the Champions League, other than the Premier League for us, is the highest level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil-van-dijk/we-want-to-play-on-the-highest-level-and-the-champions-league-other/) [Virgil van Dijk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil-van-dijk/) > [I always want to play at the highest level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erling-haaland/i-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-level/) [Erling Haaland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erling-haaland/) > [But Pete had the desire to play at the highest level for so many years. That is very difficult, mentally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-krajicek/but-pete-had-the-desire-to-play-at-the-highest-level-for-so-many/) [Richard Krajicek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-krajicek/) > [I've had signs I can play at the highest level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-tiafoe/i-ve-had-signs-i-can-play-at-the-highest-level/) [Frances Tiafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-tiafoe/) > [I've been able to play at the highest level for a really long time, and I've done it to the best of my ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-larson/i-ve-been-able-to-play-at-the-highest-level-for-a-really-long-time/) [Jordan Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-larson/) > [I have always said that I want to play at the highest level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/i-have-always-said-that-i-want-to-play-at-the-highest-level/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [I always wanted to play at the highest level. I didn't care what sport it was; I just wanted to play at the highest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-woodland/i-always-wanted-to-play-at-the-highest-level-i-didn-t-care-what-sport/) [Gary Woodland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-woodland/) > [Every player wants to play at the highest level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romelu-lukaku/every-player-wants-to-play-at-the-highest-level/) [Romelu Lukaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romelu-lukaku/) > [I always want to play at the highest level; that's the Champions League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-neuer/i-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-level-that-s-the-champions-league/) [Manuel Neuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-neuer/) > [To play at the highest level requires tremendous effort, concentration and above all, never giving up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joachim-low/to-play-at-the-highest-level-requires-tremendous-effort-concentration/) [Joachim Low](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joachim-low/) > [I realised that I have the ability to play at the highest level and started to work harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shikhar-dhawan/i-realised-that-i-have-the-ability-to-play-at-the-highest-level-and/) [Shikhar Dhawan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shikhar-dhawan/) > [It's not easy to play the highest level throughout one year or so. There's always going to be a couple of moments where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jannik-sinner/it-s-not-easy-to-play-the-highest-level-throughout-one-year-or-so/) [Jannik Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jannik-sinner/) > [Everybody knows I'm a player who wants to play at the highest level; this is pretty normal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xherdan-shaqiri/everybody-knows-i-m-a-player-who-wants-to-play-at-the-highest-level/) [Xherdan Shaqiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xherdan-shaqiri/) ## 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 Career quotes > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [There are so many things you can do with your life, you can go to school and study toward your career, you can become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/there-are-so-many-things-you-can-do-with-your-life-you-can-go-to/) [Simphiwe Scientist Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/) > [I always knew I wanted to have a good career, so I made it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chord-overstreet/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-have-a-good-career-so-i-made-it-happen/) [Chord Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chord-overstreet/) > [I am a very big fan of Brian Eno, of his work as an artist and making his music, and as a producer. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rostam-batmanglij/i-am-a-very-big-fan-of-brian-eno-of-his-work-as-an-artist-and-making/) [Rostam Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rostam-batmanglij/) > [If I can beat a proven champion like Canelo, that will take my career to a different level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennady-golovkin/if-i-can-beat-a-proven-champion-like-canelo-that-will-take-my-career/) [Gennady Golovkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennady-golovkin/) > [My non-career. My excuse for a career? Honestly, I never think about the word 'career.' I've had managers, the minute they say it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/my-non-career-my-excuse-for-a-career-honestly-i-never-think-about-the/) [Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/) > [“The vocation of a man lies in his vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vocation-of-a-man-lies-in-his-vision/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [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/) > [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-doubleday/growing-up-i-did-commercials-and-things-like-that-but-nothing-serious/) [Portia Doubleday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-doubleday/) > [You can have a career and kids who love you. But you have to nurture yourself and find a way to be fulfilled so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-reitman/you-can-have-a-career-and-kids-who-love-you-but-you-have-to-nurture/) [Catherine Reitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-reitman/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Even though I'm already successful and have a career, it is always good to have your eggs in more than one basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farrah-abraham/even-though-i-m-already-successful-and-have-a-career-it-is-always/) [Farrah Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farrah-abraham/) [Browse all 11,387 Career quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You always want to play at the highest level possible and make the most of your career, and I felt like I did everything I could.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Clint Dempsey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-level-possible-and-make-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Career" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-level-possible-and-make-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/clint-dempsey-4960_career_you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-l_2084679.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/clint-dempsey-4960_career_you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-l_2084679.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/clint-dempsey-4960_career_you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-l_2084679.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You always want to play at the highest level possible and make the most of your career, and I felt like I…” — Clint Dempsey", "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": "Clint Dempsey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-dempsey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You always want to play at...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-level-possible-and-make-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-dempsey/you-always-want-to-play-at-the-highest-level-possible-and-make-the/#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 } } ] } ```