--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was a very young 21-year-old. I was…" description: "\"I was a very young 21-year-old. I was very scared. I spent three years at university in west London, and I went into central London three times. I came..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebd/greg-davies-8610_ambition_i-was-a-very-young-21-year-old-i-was-ver_2789147.jpg" --- # I was a very young 21-year-old. I was very scared. I spent… ![“I was a very young 21-year-old. I was very scared. I spent three years at university in west London, and I went into central London three times. I came from Shropshire, and just having travelled that far was enough ambition.” quote by Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebd/greg-davies-8610_ambition_i-was-a-very-young-21-year-old-i-was-ver_2789147.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebd/greg-davies-8610_ambition_i-was-a-very-young-21-year-old-i-was-ver_2789147.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebd/greg-davies-8610_ambition_i-was-a-very-young-21-year-old-i-was-ver_2789147.jpg) > “I was a very young 21-year-old. I was very scared. I spent three years at university in west London, and I went into central London three times. I came from Shropshire, and just having travelled that far was enough ambition.” [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Youthful fear can be transformed into ambition when confronting new environments, highlighting personal growth through challenge. **In simple terms:** Fear can become ambition when facing new places. Key Takeaway Use fear as a catalyst for growth. Themes fear ambition personal growth young adulthood Mood anxious hopeful Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - university life - relocating for work - career start Key Concepts psychology motivation Questions to Reflect On - What new environment could push you beyond comfort? - How do you turn fear into motivation? A Different Perspective Fear may also paralyze; not everyone overcomes it easily. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/london/) [London Went](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/london-went-374545/) [Scared Spent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scared-spent-3366839/) [Three times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-times/) [Three years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-years/) [Travelled Far](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travelled-far-653557/) [University](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/university/) [Years University](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-university-931727/) [Young 21](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-21-3366838/) ## Related quotes > [A man who has been through bitter experiences and travelled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/a-man-who-has-been-through-bitter-experiences-and-travelled-far/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“The white prophet Gerda was barely twenty when she set out into the world to find her Catalyst. She had dreamed of her often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/the-white-prophet-gerda-was-barely-twenty-when-she-set-out-into-the/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [We have travelled so far in our technical advancements that we are no longer located in our own countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lech-walesa/we-have-travelled-so-far-in-our-technical-advancements-that-we-are-no/) [Lech Walesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lech-walesa/) > [Having worked in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil film industries, I've been lucky to have travelled far and wide for shoots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shruti-haasan/having-worked-in-hindi-telugu-and-tamil-film-industries-i-ve-been/) [Shruti Haasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shruti-haasan/) > [Tell me, O Muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/tell-me-o-muse-of-that-ingenious-hero-who-travelled-far-and-wide/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“ The school system Nursery School 3 to 6 years Primary School 6 to 11 years Middle School 11 to 14 years Academic Studies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-tolhurst/the-school-system-nursery-school-3-to-6-years-primary-school-6-to-11/) [Marilyn Tolhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-tolhurst/) > [I had five years in the university sector which was a time where I could make my mistakes, develop with the students and players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-potter/i-had-five-years-in-the-university-sector-which-was-a-time-where-i/) [Graham Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-potter/) > [ Although I was four years at the University \[of Wisconsin\], I did not take the regular course of studies, but instead picked out what… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/although-i-was-four-years-at-the-university-of-wisconsin-i-did-not/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [I've known for years that the university underserved the community, because we assumed that university education is for 18- to 22-year-olds, which is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-peterson/i-ve-known-for-years-that-the-university-underserved-the-community/) [Jordan Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-peterson/) > [I spent almost 11 years at university. I have three degrees. I was a nutritional scientist for the Department of National Defense, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harley-pasternak/i-spent-almost-11-years-at-university-i-have-three-degrees-i-was-a/) [Harley Pasternak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harley-pasternak/) > [If four years of university can increase your effectiveness of what you can do for others in the name of Christ, it is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-campolo/if-four-years-of-university-can-increase-your-effectiveness-of-what/) [Tony Campolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-campolo/) > [I lived in London, went to the London School of Economics, do a lot of business in London, and have a lot of fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/i-lived-in-london-went-to-the-london-school-of-economics-do-a-lot-of/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [I love London and Los Angeles equally. I was born and brought up London and then I went to Los Angeles as a teenager…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/i-love-london-and-los-angeles-equally-i-was-born-and-brought-up/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [I was born in London, and went to school in Scotland - I used to be dead tired when I got home at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-wisdom/i-was-born-in-london-and-went-to-school-in-scotland-i-used-to-be-dead/) [Norman Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-wisdom/) > [When I was a kid in London there was just something about the light and there's something about the way London went onto film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-monahan/when-i-was-a-kid-in-london-there-was-just-something-about-the-light/) [William Monahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-monahan/) ## More by Greg Davies > [The only difference between a comedian and someone else? We need to make people laugh more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/the-only-difference-between-a-comedian-and-someone-else-we-need-to/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [Humour is learned behaviour, and I know exactly why I learned to be funny. I did it from a very early age. My dad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/humour-is-learned-behaviour-and-i-know-exactly-why-i-learned-to-be/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [I came into comedy to make people laugh. If the fact that I can't stop eating Hobnobs in any way helps, I'm happy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/i-came-into-comedy-to-make-people-laugh-if-the-fact-that-i-can-t-stop/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [I was a drama teacher, so I had the opportunity to show off in front of a captive audience. I essentially did 13 years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/i-was-a-drama-teacher-so-i-had-the-opportunity-to-show-off-in-front/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [Anything my dad says about what I say about him, I can remind him of ten examples where he publicly humiliated me. We're really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/anything-my-dad-says-about-what-i-say-about-him-i-can-remind-him-of/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [If you're funny and working in education, I think the perception is that you're either inspirational or awful. So which was I? I suppose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/if-you-re-funny-and-working-in-education-i-think-the-perception-is/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [My dad is the funniest human being I've ever met in my life - for years, I'd watch him hold court in whatever situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/my-dad-is-the-funniest-human-being-i-ve-ever-met-in-my-life-for-years/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [I am not a father, and the only children that I get close to are my nieces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/i-am-not-a-father-and-the-only-children-that-i-get-close-to-are-my/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [If you want something badly enough, you go for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/if-you-want-something-badly-enough-you-go-for-it/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [In standup, the feedback is instantaneous, and if it fails, you know you'll be off-stage and hiding in a short time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/in-standup-the-feedback-is-instantaneous-and-if-it-fails-you-know-you/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [It's an irony that with the physical decline of age comes more mental wellbeing. It's life's cruel trick. You've settled down as a person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/it-s-an-irony-that-with-the-physical-decline-of-age-comes-more-mental/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [As a young ma,n I was an absolute idiot. I think my exes would say I was a likeable baby. I had a teenager's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/as-a-young-ma-n-i-was-an-absolute-idiot-i-think-my-exes-would-say-i/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [When you're trying to enter something as intimidating as comedy, starting out with a support network of likeminded people is a powerful thing. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/when-you-re-trying-to-enter-something-as-intimidating-as-comedy/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [People often tell me that they have no idea how I can do standup. The idea of trying to make a large group of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/people-often-tell-me-that-they-have-no-idea-how-i-can-do-standup-the/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [I got to the stage where I physically couldn't carry on unless I gave comedy a go: it was necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/i-got-to-the-stage-where-i-physically-couldn-t-carry-on-unless-i-gave/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) [Explore all 79 Greg Davies quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) ## More Ambition quotes > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [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/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [A man's worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-man-s-worth-is-no-greater-than-the-worth-of-his-ambitions/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm hungry and ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julen-lopetegui/i-m-hungry-and-ambitious/) [Julen Lopetegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julen-lopetegui/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I almost never have a plan for myself... I'm not ambitious in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/i-almost-never-have-a-plan-for-myself-i-m-not-ambitious-in-that-way/) [Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/) > [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There's nothing worse than a leader who lacks ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-worse-than-a-leader-who-lacks-ambition/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If i can't even protect my captain's dream, then whatever ambition i have is nothing but talk..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoro/if-i-can-t-even-protect-my-captain-s-dream-then-whatever-ambition-i/) [Zoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoro/) > [It may seem unattainable but if you put actions, your heart and your mind into it, you will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/it-may-seem-unattainable-but-if-you-put-actions-your-heart-and-your/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [Obligation is what's leading us to toward successful, and what keeps us moving towards the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wazim-shaw/obligation-is-what-s-leading-us-to-toward-successful-and-what-keeps/) [Wazim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wazim-shaw/) [Browse all 4,601 Ambition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was a very young 21-year-old. 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