--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only thing I can control is my…" description: "\"The only thing I can control is my preparation and how I play games and how I practice.\" — Goran Dragic" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dd/goran-dragic-6388_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-prepa_2480372.jpg" --- # The only thing I can control is my preparation and how I… ![“The only thing I can control is my preparation and how I play games and how I practice.” quote by Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dd/goran-dragic-6388_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-prepa_2480372.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dd/goran-dragic-6388_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-prepa_2480372.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dd/goran-dragic-6388_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-prepa_2480372.jpg) > “The only thing I can control is my preparation and how I play games and how I practice.” [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Control lies in preparation and execution, not external outcomes; focus on personal effort. **In simple terms:** Control your preparation and play, not the result. Key Takeaway Prepare thoroughly, play confidently. Themes sports self‑discipline performance Mood focused determined Type motivational sports When to use this quote - training sessions - competitive matches - practice routines - team strategy Key Concepts skill development mental focus Questions to Reflect On - How can you improve your preparation routine? - What mindset helps you stay focused during games? A Different Perspective External factors still impact results despite preparation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Control Preparation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control-preparation-857795/) [Games Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games-practice-857797/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Preparation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preparation/) [Preparation Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preparation-play-857796/) [Thing Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-control-347044/) ## Related quotes > [The one thing I'll never do is I'll never jeopardize my preparation. I'll never jeopardize any time or energy or efforts that need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-olsen/the-one-thing-i-ll-never-do-is-i-ll-never-jeopardize-my-preparation-i/) [Greg Olsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-olsen/) > [In an ideal world, the season would end, and the players would have two to three weeks by the beach. You'd have four to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-hodgson/in-an-ideal-world-the-season-would-end-and-the-players-would-have-two/) [Roy Hodgson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-hodgson/) > [The time and preparation before a play is something I really value, and it's something I learned in New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lloyd/the-time-and-preparation-before-a-play-is-something-i-really-value/) [Christopher Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lloyd/) > [I probably play games more than I practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-durant/i-probably-play-games-more-than-i-practice/) [Kevin Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-durant/) > [I believe you win games by what you do from your first practice until your first game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/i-believe-you-win-games-by-what-you-do-from-your-first-practice-until/) [Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/) > [I'm not out in the streets. I'm not out in the club, at parties. I'm not really at movie premieres. After games, after practice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-george/i-m-not-out-in-the-streets-i-m-not-out-in-the-club-at-parties-i-m-not/) [Paul George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-george/) > [We win our games in practice. We learn and follow the fundamentals of our game better than anyone in the league. All of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/we-win-our-games-in-practice-we-learn-and-follow-the-fundamentals-of/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control - myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-i-really-want-to-improve-my-situation-i-can-work-on-the-one-thing-2/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The one thing you can control is effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malik-jackson/the-one-thing-you-can-control-is-effort/) [Malik Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malik-jackson/) > [One thing you cannot control is nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-ross/one-thing-you-cannot-control-is-nature/) [Diana Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-ross/) > [He who can destroy a thing, can control a thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/he-who-can-destroy-a-thing-can-control-a-thing/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [The only thing I can control is to work hard and do my best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-acuna-jr/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-to-work-hard-and-do-my-best/) [Ronald Acuna Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-acuna-jr/) > [“The people who can destroy a thing, they control it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/the-people-who-can-destroy-a-thing-they-control-it/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [Besides, the only thing you can control in life is your wardrobe. Cars break down when you least expect it. Boats eat money and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-kaufman/besides-the-only-thing-you-can-control-in-life-is-your-wardrobe-cars/) [Margo Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-kaufman/) > [There is only one thing we can't control and that's our Emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustapha-falalu-bello/there-is-only-one-thing-we-can-t-control-and-that-s-our-emotions/) [Mustapha Falalu Bello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustapha-falalu-bello/) ## More by Goran Dragic > [We've got a ping-pong table back home back in Slovenia. I always smash the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/we-ve-got-a-ping-pong-table-back-home-back-in-slovenia-i-always-smash/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [Brook Lopez is huge!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/brook-lopez-is-huge/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [I was always good at penetrating in Europe, but in Europe, you don't have so many shot-blockers as there are in the NBA, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/i-was-always-good-at-penetrating-in-europe-but-in-europe-you-don-t/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [I feel comfortable in Miami.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/i-feel-comfortable-in-miami/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [I always cherish my ancestors, my grandpa, great-grandpa, what they did for us, especially my dad who moved from Bosnia. He started a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/i-always-cherish-my-ancestors-my-grandpa-great-grandpa-what-they-did/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [My country, they give me everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/my-country-they-give-me-everything/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [I watch tape of players - Chris Paul, Deron Williams, all the top players who play my same position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/i-watch-tape-of-players-chris-paul-deron-williams-all-the-top-players/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [When I came to the league, a lot of people were saying Dragic's name was 'Tragic.' That hurts a little bit. I always have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/when-i-came-to-the-league-a-lot-of-people-were-saying-dragic-s-name/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [You never know before the season, when you get new players, how the chemistry is going to develop and how the season is going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/you-never-know-before-the-season-when-you-get-new-players-how-the/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [All my friends call me 'Gogi' because that's the short version for Goran.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/all-my-friends-call-me-gogi-because-that-s-the-short-version-for-goran/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [The older you get, the more you need to work on your game and try to survive with those young fellas out here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/the-older-you-get-the-more-you-need-to-work-on-your-game-and-try-to/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [I was never a strategic guy. If I can play, I just want to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/i-was-never-a-strategic-guy-if-i-can-play-i-just-want-to-play/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [You can see a lot of technical fouls, ejections but at the same time, it's a man's sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/you-can-see-a-lot-of-technical-fouls-ejections-but-at-the-same-time/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [I'm not a guy who is going back in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/i-m-not-a-guy-who-is-going-back-in-the-past/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [I like to penetrate and play fast basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/i-like-to-penetrate-and-play-fast-basketball/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) [Explore all 99 Goran Dragic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "The only thing I can control is my preparation and how I play games and how I practice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Goran Dragic" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-preparation-and-how-i-play-games/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Control" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-preparation-and-how-i-play-games/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dd/goran-dragic-6388_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-prepa_2480372.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dd/goran-dragic-6388_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-prepa_2480372.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8dd/goran-dragic-6388_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-prepa_2480372.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The only thing I can control is my preparation and how I play games and how I practice.” — Goran Dragic", "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": "Goran Dragic", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The only thing I can control...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-preparation-and-how-i-play-games/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-my-preparation-and-how-i-play-games/#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 } } ] } ```