---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't think it was ever really my focus…"
description: "\"I don't think it was ever really my focus to prove to people one way or the other.\" — Daniel Jones"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/daniel-jones-4999_focus_i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focu_1190020.jpg"
---

#  I don't think it was ever really my focus to prove to…

![“I don't think it was ever really my focus to prove to people one way or the other.” quote by Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/daniel-jones-4999_focus_i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focu_1190020.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/daniel-jones-4999_focus_i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focu_1190020.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/daniel-jones-4999_focus_i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focu_1190020.jpg)

> “I don't think it was ever really my focus to prove to people one way or the other.”

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

## About This Quote

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

Focus on personal goals rather than proving oneself to others.

**In simple terms:** Don't chase others' approval.

Key Takeaway

Set personal standards, ignore external validation.

Themes

self‑growth motivation authenticity focus

Mood

determined calm

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- career planning
- personal projects
- skill development
- public speaking

Key Concepts

Intrinsic motivation self‑determination

Questions to Reflect On

- What drives you beyond approval?
- How do you measure personal success?

A Different Perspective

External pressure can still affect confidence.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

## Related quotes

> [People have said to me, 'It must be nice to prove so many people wrong,' but I've never really cared about proving anything to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-bryan/people-have-said-to-me-it-must-be-nice-to-prove-so-many-people-wrong/)

[Daniel Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-bryan/)

> [Every single game, I feel like I have something to prove - whether it's to myself or other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trea-turner/every-single-game-i-feel-like-i-have-something-to-prove-whether-it-s/)

[Trea Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trea-turner/)

> [I want to prove to other people that I have something in my mind and intellectual qualities, not just the ability to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romelu-lukaku/i-want-to-prove-to-other-people-that-i-have-something-in-my-mind-and/)

[Romelu Lukaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romelu-lukaku/)

> [I really focus more to hit for average, just try to put the ball in play as much as I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-soto/i-really-focus-more-to-hit-for-average-just-try-to-put-the-ball-in/)

[Juan Soto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-soto/)

> [When I get onto the pitch, I block out everything around it, and I really focus on the pitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-martial/when-i-get-onto-the-pitch-i-block-out-everything-around-it-and-i/)

[Anthony Martial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-martial/)

> [We believe in saying no to thousands of projects so that we can really focus on the few that are truly important and meaningful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/we-believe-in-saying-no-to-thousands-of-projects-so-that-we-can/)

[Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/)

> [You should almost always draw in pen. It forces you to be confident. You can never erase, so it makes you really focus on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/butch-hartman/you-should-almost-always-draw-in-pen-it-forces-you-to-be-confident/)

[Butch Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/butch-hartman/)

> [No, I have to really focus, especially when I'm writing because I wanna be good at it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-araya/no-i-have-to-really-focus-especially-when-i-m-writing-because-i-wanna/)

[Tom Araya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-araya/)

> [As an actress, I learned a long time ago that there is a lot of this business that is just out of my hands.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-hilty/as-an-actress-i-learned-a-long-time-ago-that-there-is-a-lot-of-this/)

[Megan Hilty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-hilty/)

> [I'm just trying to live in the moment and do the best I can for myself and for my teammates, and that's all I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-pulisic/i-m-just-trying-to-live-in-the-moment-and-do-the-best-i-can-for/)

[Christian Pulisic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-pulisic/)

> [I think anyone that's running for office really should focus on the education for our youth, creating more jobs and employment, and really focusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apl-de-ap/i-think-anyone-that-s-running-for-office-really-should-focus-on-the/)

[apl.de.ap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apl-de-ap/)

> [I really focus on the ball, I really focus on the work, and I really focus on creating all the growth opportunities for anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bjarke-ingels/i-really-focus-on-the-ball-i-really-focus-on-the-work-and-i-really/)

[Bjarke Ingels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bjarke-ingels/)

> [I just try to let myself really focus on the work that's ahead of me and what my job is and how I bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-just-try-to-let-myself-really-focus-on-the-work-that-s-ahead-of-me/)

[Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/)

> [When I write, I don't really focus on duets or anything like that, or whether I'm going to feature this or that rapper. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/when-i-write-i-don-t-really-focus-on-duets-or-anything-like-that-or/)

[John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/)

> [Another crucial thing the tea party did really well is to focus in on the folks who are more or less on your side,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-g-levin/another-crucial-thing-the-tea-party-did-really-well-is-to-focus-in-on/)

[Ezra G. Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-g-levin/)

## More by Daniel Jones

> [Playing in the NFL, you're expected to perform and perform well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/playing-in-the-nfl-you-re-expected-to-perform-and-perform-well/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [Overall, I try to build relationships with guys across the team, and understand how everyone communicates and what they respond to. I think being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/overall-i-try-to-build-relationships-with-guys-across-the-team-and/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [When you put a lot of time and effort into something and you don't see the results, I think that's tough when you're doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/when-you-put-a-lot-of-time-and-effort-into-something-and-you-don-t/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [Physically, I think I can make every throw on the field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/physically-i-think-i-can-make-every-throw-on-the-field/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [I think anyone who comes to New York is probably coming into a situation with more attention than they had previously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/i-think-anyone-who-comes-to-new-york-is-probably-coming-into-a/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [It's about what you do consistently over the course of the season.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/it-s-about-what-you-do-consistently-over-the-course-of-the-season/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [Playing football is what I love to do, so to be able to do that in the NFL, and then be able to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/playing-football-is-what-i-love-to-do-so-to-be-able-to-do-that-in-the/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [Each game is different, each game is a different opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/each-game-is-different-each-game-is-a-different-opportunity/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [As a quarterback you have got to be able to do both - be aggressive, take shots and also protect the ball. It's finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/as-a-quarterback-you-have-got-to-be-able-to-do-both-be-aggressive/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [That's the biggest way to judge a quarterback's success, so I hope to win multiple Super Bowls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/that-s-the-biggest-way-to-judge-a-quarterback-s-success-so-i-hope-to/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [I think I've made progress and played well at times. And not well enough, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/i-think-i-ve-made-progress-and-played-well-at-times-and-not-well/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [Something that I take a lot of pride in is my toughness, my ability to be physically and mentally tough, I think that's critical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/something-that-i-take-a-lot-of-pride-in-is-my-toughness-my-ability-to/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [As a player you never want to be in a situation where you're trying to be someone else, or you're doing things that aren't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/as-a-player-you-never-want-to-be-in-a-situation-where-you-re-trying/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [I think that's how you learn, is not repeating mistakes. I think that's a big thing, and trying to focus on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/i-think-that-s-how-you-learn-is-not-repeating-mistakes-i-think-that-s/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

> [Playing early on, you learn a lot of football, and there's no better experience than to get out there and play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/playing-early-on-you-learn-a-lot-of-football-and-there-s-no-better/)

[Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

[Explore all 104 Daniel Jones quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/)

## More Focus quotes

> [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/)

[Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/)

> [Music is a job, but I figured out ways to get my mind into a place where I could be creative. I actually discovered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flume/music-is-a-job-but-i-figured-out-ways-to-get-my-mind-into-a-place/)

[Flume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flume/)

> [“If you're focused, you can't get bored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/if-you-re-focused-you-can-t-get-bored/)

[Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/)

> [There are more important things to focus on in life than how you look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arden-cho/there-are-more-important-things-to-focus-on-in-life-than-how-you-look/)

[Arden Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arden-cho/)

> [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/)

[Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/)

> [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/)

[Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/)

> [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [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/)

> [“This is Galileo,” said Aristotle. “He advocates understanding the world through observation and experiment. He is an unimaginative thinker, but his results demand our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/this-is-galileo-said-aristotle-he-advocates-understanding-the-world/)

[Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/)

> [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/)

[Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/)

> [If you ask another competitor, they may tell you they felt very competitive towards me. But I can tell you that my biggest competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/if-you-ask-another-competitor-they-may-tell-you-they-felt-very/)

[Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/)

> [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/)

[Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/)

> [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [All I'm focused on is playing my game. Everything else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/all-i-m-focused-on-is-playing-my-game-everything-else-will-take-care/)

[Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/)

> [Focus on being productive instead of busy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-ferriss/focus-on-being-productive-instead-of-busy/)

[Tim Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-ferriss/)

[Browse all 11,734 Focus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I don't think it was ever really my focus to prove to people one way or the other.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Daniel Jones"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focus-to-prove-to-people-one-way/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Focus"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focus-to-prove-to-people-one-way/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/daniel-jones-4999_focus_i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focu_1190020.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/daniel-jones-4999_focus_i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focu_1190020.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/daniel-jones-4999_focus_i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focu_1190020.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I don't think it was ever really my focus to prove to people one way or the other.” — Daniel Jones",
                "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": "Daniel Jones",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I don't think it was ever...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focus-to-prove-to-people-one-way/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/i-don-t-think-it-was-ever-really-my-focus-to-prove-to-people-one-way/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
