--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes when I'm under pressure, if I…" description: "\"Sometimes when I'm under pressure, if I think somebody is expecting stuff from me, I'll do better than if I was just left on my own. I can sit down - I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74e/dolly-parton-366_expecting_sometimes-when-i-m-under-pressure-if-i-t_3214301.jpg" --- # Sometimes when I'm under pressure, if I think somebody is… ![“Sometimes when I'm under pressure, if I think somebody is expecting stuff from me, I'll do better than if I was just left on my own. I can sit down - I'm a skilled writer, I've been doing it all my life - and I can get down to it.” quote by Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74e/dolly-parton-366_expecting_sometimes-when-i-m-under-pressure-if-i-t_3214301.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74e/dolly-parton-366_expecting_sometimes-when-i-m-under-pressure-if-i-t_3214301.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74e/dolly-parton-366_expecting_sometimes-when-i-m-under-pressure-if-i-t_3214301.jpg) > “Sometimes when I'm under pressure, if I think somebody is expecting stuff from me, I'll do better than if I was just left on my own. I can sit down - I'm a skilled writer, I've been doing it all my life - and I can get down to it.” [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. External expectations can boost performance, but intrinsic motivation is also vital for sustained creativity. **In simple terms:** Pressure can improve work, but self‑drive matters. Key Takeaway Use pressure wisely, nurture inner drive. Themes pressure creativity motivation Mood inspirational practical Type advice reflection When to use this quote - writing deadlines - public speaking - project management - artistic pursuits Key Concepts psychology productivity Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain creativity under stress? - When does pressure become counterproductive? A Different Perspective Relying solely on pressure can cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Under pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/under-pressure/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I'm a more skilled writer now, but after 23 books it's harder to be fresh and that's really important to me. I don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blume/i-m-a-more-skilled-writer-now-but-after-23-books-it-s-harder-to-be/) [Judy Blume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blume/) > [I feel the only way you feel the pressure is when you think it is an important match or series. If you feel that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-feel-the-only-way-you-feel-the-pressure-is-when-you-think-it-is-an/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [I like pressure. I put in on myself, and I think I get the best out of myself by doing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-robertson/i-like-pressure-i-put-in-on-myself-and-i-think-i-get-the-best-out-of/) [Andrew Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-robertson/) > [A lot of people put pressure on themselves and think it will be way too hard for them to live out their dreams. Mentors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-jonas/a-lot-of-people-put-pressure-on-themselves-and-think-it-will-be-way/) [Joe Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-jonas/) > [It's too much pressure. You have to think match by match and moment by moment or it drives you to distraction. I'm tired of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marat-safin/it-s-too-much-pressure-you-have-to-think-match-by-match-and-moment-by/) [Marat Safin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marat-safin/) > [Yes, people can crack under pressure, but I think people can also let things slip out when they're comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-gabriel/yes-people-can-crack-under-pressure-but-i-think-people-can-also-let/) [Betty Gabriel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-gabriel/) > [I mean, I feel pressure sometimes, but I think I'm handling really well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kei-nishikori/i-mean-i-feel-pressure-sometimes-but-i-think-i-m-handling-really-well/) [Kei Nishikori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kei-nishikori/) > [I put a lot of pressure on myself. I think something's not good enough, and I won't stop until I feel like I've made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/i-put-a-lot-of-pressure-on-myself-i-think-something-s-not-good-enough/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [Maybe if I wasn't doing well with my career, I might feel pressure, but I think I'm doing fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-bosa/maybe-if-i-wasn-t-doing-well-with-my-career-i-might-feel-pressure-but/) [Nick Bosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-bosa/) > [I put a lot of pressure on myself and I think I am quite... well, intense about driving other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-put-a-lot-of-pressure-on-myself-and-i-think-i-am-quite-well-intense/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [You can live your own life and do what you want to do. You shouldn't feel pressure to do anything because you think someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-mckenna/you-can-live-your-own-life-and-do-what-you-want-to-do-you-shouldn-t/) [Declan McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-mckenna/) > [I don't think we have to impose or pressure in anyway but I do think we have to engage people and try to help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-laurie/i-don-t-think-we-have-to-impose-or-pressure-in-anyway-but-i-do-think/) [Greg Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-laurie/) > [I reckon there's always a bit of pressure. We put it on ourselves, I think we always feel a bit of pressure because people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cheney/i-reckon-there-s-always-a-bit-of-pressure-we-put-it-on-ourselves-i/) Chris Cheney > [Obviously I'm a perfectionist, so there is always pressure behind me. But I think I'm fine with handling my own pressure. It's when the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iga-swiatek/obviously-i-m-a-perfectionist-so-there-is-always-pressure-behind-me/) [Iga Swiatek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iga-swiatek/) > [Anytime you take someone's money, that puts enormous pressure. But I think if you want the most reward, you have to take the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-itzler/anytime-you-take-someone-s-money-that-puts-enormous-pressure-but-i/) [Jesse Itzler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-itzler/) ## More by Dolly Parton > [Got those moods a swinging, tears a slinging, nothing fits me, when it hits me, ranting, raving, misbehaving, PMS blues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/got-those-moods-a-swinging-tears-a-slinging-nothing-fits-me-when-it/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [A great smile is a wonderful asset, but a good heart is pure gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/a-great-smile-is-a-wonderful-asset-but-a-good-heart-is-pure-gold/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I know my hair is out of the '60's, my clothes are '50's and the shoes I wear are from the '40's. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-know-my-hair-is-out-of-the-60-s-my-clothes-are-50-s-and-the-shoes-i/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [It's great at this stage in my life to still be in the running, that people appreciate you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/it-s-great-at-this-stage-in-my-life-to-still-be-in-the-running-that/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [No matter how beautiful a woman might be, you're always threatened by certain... You're always threatened by](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/no-matter-how-beautiful-a-woman-might-be-you-re-always-threatened-by/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [Music is my personal addiction. So much of everything I've done has only been to open more doors for the music itself. It all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/music-is-my-personal-addiction-so-much-of-everything-i-ve-done-has/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [If you don't like the road youre walking, start paving another one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/if-you-don-t-like-the-road-youre-walking-start-paving-another-one/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [After you reach a certain age, they think you’re over. Well, I will never be over. I’ll be making records if I have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/after-you-reach-a-certain-age-they-think-you-re-over-well-i-will/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [ I think \[music and acting\], they are connected, all that stuff. It's your emotional self, is pretty much how you do it, I think,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-think-music-and-acting-they-are-connected-all-that-stuff-it-s-your/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [Understanding isn't learned from punishment and anger. An iron has no gentle touch, and love ain't learned from hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/understanding-isn-t-learned-from-punishment-and-anger-an-iron-has-no/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [You'll pay the highest price on back roads and in back seats and in a cheap highway motel. But what's a few more strangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/you-ll-pay-the-highest-price-on-back-roads-and-in-back-seats-and-in-a/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I went to bed hungry many nights as a child. It was a Dream that dressed me up when I was ragged, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-went-to-bed-hungry-many-nights-as-a-child-it-was-a-dream-that/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I know it's corny - but I love 'Jingle Bells!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-know-it-s-corny-but-i-love-jingle-bells/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I figure if I keep my health, I have no intention of retiring. I love to work. I want to be like Bob Hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-figure-if-i-keep-my-health-i-have-no-intention-of-retiring-i-love/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [There are some people who physically are not beautiful. But the way they are, the way they treat people, they become beautiful, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/there-are-some-people-who-physically-are-not-beautiful-but-the-way/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) [Explore all 638 Dolly Parton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) ## More Expecting quotes > [I've always made sure that I tour with bands that people aren't expecting me to tour with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mayer-hawthorne/i-ve-always-made-sure-that-i-tour-with-bands-that-people-aren-t/) [Mayer Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mayer-hawthorne/) > [Ranger fans, they're expecting you to win, so you really want to show up every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hagelin/ranger-fans-they-re-expecting-you-to-win-so-you-really-want-to-show/) [Carl Hagelin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hagelin/) > [I don't concern myself with thinking ahead to the finished product. I focus more specifically on what the character is experiencing. Once you relieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-eisenberg/i-don-t-concern-myself-with-thinking-ahead-to-the-finished-product-i/) [Jesse Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-eisenberg/) > [Those of us of a certain age grew up expecting that by now we would have Rosie the Robot from 'The Jetsons' in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-enriquez/those-of-us-of-a-certain-age-grew-up-expecting-that-by-now-we-would/) [Juan Enriquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-enriquez/) > [You cannot keep doing the same thing, the same way, and keep expecting something different to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/you-cannot-keep-doing-the-same-thing-the-same-way-and-keep-expecting/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [At the time when this famous historical battle was fought in Kosovo, the people were looking at the stars, expecting aid from them. Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slobodan-milosevi/at-the-time-when-this-famous-historical-battle-was-fought-in-kosovo/) [Slobodan Milosević](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slobodan-milosevi/) > [“Am I … not what you were expecting?” Of course, my immediate instinct is to say no. No, you’re not what I was expecting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-stein/am-i-not-what-you-were-expecting-of-course-my-immediate-instinct-is/) [Charlotte Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-stein/) > [The reward is in doing, but doing without expecting anything...doing unselfishly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-reward-is-in-doing-but-doing-without-expecting-anything-doing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some of the best ideas come sort of out of nowhere and when you're not expecting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-gordon/some-of-the-best-ideas-come-sort-of-out-of-nowhere-and-when-you-re/) [Seth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-gordon/) > [So for a period of time each day, try to sit, without moving, without expecting anything, as if you were in your last moment.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-for-a-period-of-time-each-day-try-to-sit-without-moving-without/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“That's the key to having it all: stop expecting it to look like what you thought it was going to look like.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-chupack/that-s-the-key-to-having-it-all-stop-expecting-it-to-look-like-what/) [Cindy Chupack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-chupack/) > [The definition of insanity is doing the same thing with the same result over and over again, expecting something different. The left just spent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-definition-of-insanity-is-doing-the-same-thing-with-the-same/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [If my happiness at this moment consists largely in reviewing happy memories and expectations, I am but dimly aware of this present. I shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/if-my-happiness-at-this-moment-consists-largely-in-reviewing-happy/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [I'm a dreamer and continue to dream of what can and will be, "Expecting great things from God, Attempting great things for God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carey/i-m-a-dreamer-and-continue-to-dream-of-what-can-and-will-be-expecting/) [William Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carey/) > [ It was at Harvard not quite forty years ago that I went into an anechoic \[totally silent\] chamber not expecting in that silent room… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/it-was-at-harvard-not-quite-forty-years-ago-that-i-went-into-an/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) Browse all 899 Expecting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes when I'm under pressure, if I think somebody is expecting stuff from me, I'll do better than if I was just left on my own. 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