--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The last thing you want to do is finish…" description: "\"The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing anything and wish you would have worked harder.\" — Derek Jeter" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbe/derek-jeter-2713_anything_the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish_2967003.jpg" --- # The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing… ![“The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing anything and wish you would have worked harder.” quote by Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbe/derek-jeter-2713_anything_the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish_2967003.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbe/derek-jeter-2713_anything_the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish_2967003.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbe/derek-jeter-2713_anything_the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish_2967003.jpg) > “The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing anything and wish you would have worked harder.” [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Regret comes from not giving full effort, urging constant hard work. **In simple terms:** Give your best to avoid regret. Key Takeaway Always push your limits. Themes effort regret performance Mood determined serious Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - sports competition - career milestones - project deadlines - personal goals Key Concepts motivation work ethic Questions to Reflect On - What motivates you to work harder? - How can you sustain effort without fatigue? A Different Perspective Burnout risk if effort becomes unsustainable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anything/) [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [Finish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finish/) [Finish Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finish-playing-1531868/) [Harder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harder/) [Last](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Playing Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-doing-732102/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Finish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-finish-386508/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) [Worked Harder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worked-harder/) ## Related quotes > [I want to finish at the top, playing well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-van-der-sar/i-want-to-finish-at-the-top-playing-well/) [Edwin van der Sar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-van-der-sar/) > [Acting is definitely something I want to do after I finish playing basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephon-marbury/acting-is-definitely-something-i-want-to-do-after-i-finish-playing/) [Stephon Marbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephon-marbury/) > [A footballer's career is very short, and I want to finish it in a strong and spectacular way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filipe-luis/a-footballer-s-career-is-very-short-and-i-want-to-finish-it-in-a/) [Filipe Luis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filipe-luis/) > [I want to finish my career as a Red Sox. But it's up to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-ramirez/i-want-to-finish-my-career-as-a-red-sox-but-it-s-up-to-them/) [Manny Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-ramirez/) > [I always want to finish my fights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-meerschaert/i-always-want-to-finish-my-fights/) [Gerald Meerschaert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-meerschaert/) > [If it is possible I want to finish my career at Manchester United.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-ji-sung/if-it-is-possible-i-want-to-finish-my-career-at-manchester-united/) [Park Ji-sung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-ji-sung/) > [I have to keep working hard and playing well because I don't like to be second or third: they're the worst places to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pogba/i-have-to-keep-working-hard-and-playing-well-because-i-don-t-like-to/) [Paul Pogba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pogba/) > [I want to finish my career on a high note.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-hardaway/i-want-to-finish-my-career-on-a-high-note/) [Penny Hardaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-hardaway/) > [You want to finish something when it's good. You don't want to be the last one at the party!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilie-de-ravin/you-want-to-finish-something-when-it-s-good-you-don-t-want-to-be-the/) [Emilie de Ravin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilie-de-ravin/) > [The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-michener/the-master-in-the-art-of-living-makes-little-distinction-between-his/) [James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-michener/) > [Sometimes you cannot do anything because the guy in front of you is playing well and he's doing the right things to make you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/sometimes-you-cannot-do-anything-because-the-guy-in-front-of-you-is/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [One of the best rules anybody can learn about investing is to do nothing, absolutely nothing, unless there is something to do. Most people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rogers/one-of-the-best-rules-anybody-can-learn-about-investing-is-to-do/) [Jim Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rogers/) > [Wouldn’t it be amazing, getting up everyday and playing; doing something that you love to do?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-crosby/wouldn-t-it-be-amazing-getting-up-everyday-and-playing-doing/) [Sidney Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-crosby/) > [I'm always happy to be back on the court playing, doing what I love to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-harris/i-m-always-happy-to-be-back-on-the-court-playing-doing-what-i-love-to/) [Tobias Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-harris/) > [Oh man, you miss it so much when you finish playing, especially when you play for most of your life. You miss just being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nnamdi-asomugha/oh-man-you-miss-it-so-much-when-you-finish-playing-especially-when/) [Nnamdi Asomugha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nnamdi-asomugha/) ## More by Derek Jeter > [I like to hit the gym early in the morning. I feel better throughout the day when I get in a workout first thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-like-to-hit-the-gym-early-in-the-morning-i-feel-better-throughout/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [I don't listen to opinions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-don-t-listen-to-opinions/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [We just want to win. That's the bottom line. I think a lot of times people may become content with one championship or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/we-just-want-to-win-that-s-the-bottom-line-i-think-a-lot-of-times/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [You know what I want to do? Wake up one weekend and not have to go anywhere and do nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/you-know-what-i-want-to-do-wake-up-one-weekend-and-not-have-to-go/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [When it was time for parent-teacher conferences, I remember that I was always embarrassed about what my parents would hear about me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/when-it-was-time-for-parent-teacher-conferences-i-remember-that-i-was/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [Work hard, love what you do, put your best foot forward and never forget the kid in you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/work-hard-love-what-you-do-put-your-best-foot-forward-and-never/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [The only legacy I want is to be thought of as a winner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/the-only-legacy-i-want-is-to-be-thought-of-as-a-winner/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [I want to have a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-want-to-have-a-family/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [“If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else believe in you? We can be our own best friends or our own worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/if-you-don-t-believe-in-yourself-why-should-anyone-else-believe-in/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [As long as I'm having fun I'm going to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/as-long-as-i-m-having-fun-i-m-going-to-play/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [Nine games? It's too long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/nine-games-it-s-too-long/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [I love it when people doubt me. It makes me work harder to prove them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-love-it-when-people-doubt-me-it-makes-me-work-harder-to-prove-them/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [My parents always felt if I worked hard enough I could make any dream come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/my-parents-always-felt-if-i-worked-hard-enough-i-could-make-any-dream/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [So many people are insanely busy nowadays, and it's easy to say, 'Ah, I'll workout tomorrow.' But you have to set aside a time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/so-many-people-are-insanely-busy-nowadays-and-it-s-easy-to-say-ah-i/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [I went to school on Senior Skip Day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-went-to-school-on-senior-skip-day/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) [Explore all 153 Derek Jeter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) ## More Anything quotes > [I guess I've never really wanted to be anything else. I've never even thought about having another job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-farrell/i-guess-i-ve-never-really-wanted-to-be-anything-else-i-ve-never-even/) [Owen Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-farrell/) > [I would give anything to be able to kick a ball with my son or read the kids a bedtime story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-burrow/i-would-give-anything-to-be-able-to-kick-a-ball-with-my-son-or-read/) [Rob Burrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-burrow/) > [Comfort food is really anything you want at that time. That said, I really love Naple-style pizza.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-zakarian/comfort-food-is-really-anything-you-want-at-that-time-that-said-i/) [Geoffrey Zakarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-zakarian/) > [I haven't shut any doors, and I'm really open to anything, so I think it's just about the material and what is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-panabaker/i-haven-t-shut-any-doors-and-i-m-really-open-to-anything-so-i-think/) [Danielle Panabaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-panabaker/) > [When it really comes down to it, the job you do is more important and is more representative of who you are than your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/when-it-really-comes-down-to-it-the-job-you-do-is-more-important-and/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/) [Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/) > [I never did drama at school. I did it for one term, when it was compulsory, and I hated it. Tennis was the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-mitchell/i-never-did-drama-at-school-i-did-it-for-one-term-when-it-was/) [Luke Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-mitchell/) > [We live in such a special time when literally anything we can think of is possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-willey/we-live-in-such-a-special-time-when-literally-anything-we-can-think/) [Daniel Willey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-willey/) > [You know, I'm from Baltimore; nobody has anything. When somebody had talent, I was hiring my uncle, my cousin, you know? Getting people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sisqo/you-know-i-m-from-baltimore-nobody-has-anything-when-somebody-had/) [Sisqo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sisqo/) > [I said to my agent, 'I want short, sharp, well-paid jobs because I haven't got time for anything else.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-whitelaw/i-said-to-my-agent-i-want-short-sharp-well-paid-jobs-because-i-haven/) [Billie Whitelaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-whitelaw/) > [I think anything that anyone writes thats any good is going to have a lot of autobiography.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-adly-guirgis/i-think-anything-that-anyone-writes-thats-any-good-is-going-to-have-a/) [Stephen Adly Guirgis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-adly-guirgis/) > [If the Bible is correct, and the Earth is only 6,000 years old, that means there were no dinosaurs, and museum curators have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-shock/if-the-bible-is-correct-and-the-earth-is-only-6-000-years-old-that/) [Ron Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-shock/) > [Don't do anything drastic like getting your eyebrows tattooed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-lee/don-t-do-anything-drastic-like-getting-your-eyebrows-tattooed/) [Greta Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-lee/) > [Whenever you define family as anything other than a man and a woman married together, you have just introduced an ethical nightmare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-evans/whenever-you-define-family-as-anything-other-than-a-man-and-a-woman/) [Tony Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-evans/) > [No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses/no-lusting-after-your-neighbor-s-house-or-wife-or-servant-or-maid-or/) [Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moses/) [Browse all 9,437 Anything quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anything/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing anything and wish you would have worked harder.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Derek Jeter" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish-playing-or-doing-anything-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Anything" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish-playing-or-doing-anything-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbe/derek-jeter-2713_anything_the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish_2967003.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbe/derek-jeter-2713_anything_the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish_2967003.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbe/derek-jeter-2713_anything_the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish_2967003.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing anything and wish you would have worked harder.” — Derek Jeter", "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": "Derek Jeter", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The last thing you want to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish-playing-or-doing-anything-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-finish-playing-or-doing-anything-and/#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 } } ] } ```