--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Getting onto 'Jeopardy!' was a pet…" description: "\"Getting onto 'Jeopardy!' was a pet project my whole life, so it was something I was willing to work really hard on.\" — James Holzhauer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/james-holzhauer-8135_hard_getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project_2863877.jpg" --- # Getting onto 'Jeopardy!' was a pet project my whole life… ![“Getting onto 'Jeopardy!' was a pet project my whole life, so it was something I was willing to work really hard on.” quote by James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/james-holzhauer-8135_hard_getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project_2863877.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/james-holzhauer-8135_hard_getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project_2863877.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/james-holzhauer-8135_hard_getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project_2863877.jpg) > “Getting onto 'Jeopardy!' was a pet project my whole life, so it was something I was willing to work really hard on.” [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Passion projects motivate sustained effort and perseverance toward goals. **In simple terms:** Passion fuels hard work. Key Takeaway Pursue projects you love relentlessly. Themes passion perseverance goal setting motivation Mood inspirational focused Type advice personal narrative When to use this quote - game shows - personal projects - skill mastery - long‑term planning Key Concepts intrinsic motivation goal pursuit career development Questions to Reflect On - What resources support your passion? - How do you measure progress? A Different Perspective Passion alone may not guarantee success without resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Jeopardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jeopardy/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Pet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pet/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [If I have accomplished anything in life, it is because I have been willing to work hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madam-c-j-walker/if-i-have-accomplished-anything-in-life-it-is-because-i-have-been/) [Madam C. J. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madam-c-j-walker/) > [If we are ever going to be what we want to be in life we have to be willing to work hard, be strong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/if-we-are-ever-going-to-be-what-we-want-to-be-in-life-we-have-to-be/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [You can accomplish anything in life if you are willing to work for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-brees/you-can-accomplish-anything-in-life-if-you-are-willing-to-work-for-it/) [Drew Brees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-brees/) > [I spent almost no time studying categories like geography and sports, even though they came up frequently on 'Jeopardy,' because I'm already strong in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-spent-almost-no-time-studying-categories-like-geography-and-sports/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I really underestimated how many people are paying attention to 'Jeopardy' and what's out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-really-underestimated-how-many-people-are-paying-attention-to/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [Jeopardy!' is a bigger deal than I realized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/jeopardy-is-a-bigger-deal-than-i-realized/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [Parenting is much more nerve-wracking than 'Jeopardy!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/parenting-is-much-more-nerve-wracking-than-jeopardy/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [It was always my plan to go big on 'Jeopardy!,' and I'm glad I was able to stick to the plan under pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/it-was-always-my-plan-to-go-big-on-jeopardy-and-i-m-glad-i-was-able/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I think most people who bother to study 'Jeopardy!' game theory are going to arrive at similar conclusions about how to best play the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-think-most-people-who-bother-to-study-jeopardy-game-theory-are/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [When I watched 'Jeopardy!' as a kid, I would primarily watch with my grandmother. She was the most beautiful person the world has ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/when-i-watched-jeopardy-as-a-kid-i-would-primarily-watch-with-my/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I am in awe of Ken Jennings's accomplishments, as all 'Jeopardy!' fans are. Simply being compared to him is an honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-am-in-awe-of-ken-jennings-s-accomplishments-as-all-jeopardy-fans/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I hope that my 'Jeopardy' run helps destigmatize sports betting because I have certainly dealt with some stigmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-hope-that-my-jeopardy-run-helps-destigmatize-sports-betting-because/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I think you don't break new ground in anything in life if you are willing to just follow the rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-furman/i-think-you-don-t-break-new-ground-in-anything-in-life-if-you-are/) [Brad Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-furman/) > [Faith,Hardwork,And a bit of common sense,Will get you through Best things in life,if you'r willing to look at things for what they can be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-mks/faith-hardwork-and-a-bit-of-common-sense-will-get-you-through-best/) [Prince Mks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-mks/) > [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) ## More by James Holzhauer > [There's a lot of attention on me which can be good, it can be bad. Sometimes my daughter's acting up in public and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/there-s-a-lot-of-attention-on-me-which-can-be-good-it-can-be-bad/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [You need to pick your spots and bet big when you identify them. That's basically my 'Jeopardy!' strategy in a nutshell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/you-need-to-pick-your-spots-and-bet-big-when-you-identify-them-that-s/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [It definitely helps that I can bet big with ice water in my veins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/it-definitely-helps-that-i-can-bet-big-with-ice-water-in-my-veins/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [In gambling, you usually start to go wrong when you deviate from your pregame strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/in-gambling-you-usually-start-to-go-wrong-when-you-deviate-from-your/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [The first bet I remember was on the Chargers in Super Bowl 29 with my classmates. I lost a lot of weeks' allowance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/the-first-bet-i-remember-was-on-the-chargers-in-super-bowl-29-with-my/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I hope that my 'Jeopardy' run helps destigmatize sports betting because I have certainly dealt with some stigmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-hope-that-my-jeopardy-run-helps-destigmatize-sports-betting-because/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [All good professional gamblers are selectively aggressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/all-good-professional-gamblers-are-selectively-aggressive/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I went to Illinois. Most people think I went to Princeton or something. But I was never a diligent student.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-went-to-illinois-most-people-think-i-went-to-princeton-or-something/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [Anytime you learn something new, you're just trying to file it away - might be useful one day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/anytime-you-learn-something-new-you-re-just-trying-to-file-it-away/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I get mad at football coaches who are afraid to call for a big play early in the game, you know, because they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-get-mad-at-football-coaches-who-are-afraid-to-call-for-a-big-play/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I've found that in an adult reference book, if it's not a subject I'm interested in, I just can't get into it. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-ve-found-that-in-an-adult-reference-book-if-it-s-not-a-subject-i-m/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [The last real job I had I was 16-years-old slinging fried chicken in my hometown of Naperville, Ill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/the-last-real-job-i-had-i-was-16-years-old-slinging-fried-chicken-in/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [There were times in school where I would say, 'I should go to class.' But I could make $100 playing online poker if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/there-were-times-in-school-where-i-would-say-i-should-go-to-class-but/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I really like not having to justify my decisions to anyone else, as well as the freedom to vacation whenever I want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-really-like-not-having-to-justify-my-decisions-to-anyone-else-as/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) > [I'm a pro sports gambler. You have winning days and you have losing days. But you know if you've got the right strategy, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/i-m-a-pro-sports-gambler-you-have-winning-days-and-you-have-losing/) [James Holzhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) [Explore all 84 James Holzhauer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/) ## More Hard quotes > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [It is hard to admit to someone that you love him..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misherie/it-is-hard-to-admit-to-someone-that-you-love-him/) [Misherie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misherie/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [There Was Many Time I Had Wanted To Give Up In Life On So Many Things…But Naw F\*\*\* That...I'm Not Going To Never Give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/out-spoken/there-was-many-time-i-had-wanted-to-give-up-in-life-on-so-many-things/) Out Spoken > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [One of the worst things to come out of the Consumer Protection Board's misleading claims is the impression that government resources are to hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lesko/one-of-the-worst-things-to-come-out-of-the-consumer-protection-board/) [Matthew Lesko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lesko/) > [In our society we have hard nerds and soft nerds. The hard nerds are the ones who used to have the slide rules at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kay/in-our-society-we-have-hard-nerds-and-soft-nerds-the-hard-nerds-are/) [Alan Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kay/) > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. Elion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-b-elion/) > [High school, going into my junior year, I kind of had the idea I was going to be the starting running back. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saquon-barkley/high-school-going-into-my-junior-year-i-kind-of-had-the-idea-i-was/) [Saquon Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saquon-barkley/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) Browse all 29,826 Hard quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Getting onto 'Jeopardy!' was a pet project my whole life, so it was something I was willing to work really hard on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James Holzhauer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project-my-whole-life-so-it-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hard" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project-my-whole-life-so-it-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/james-holzhauer-8135_hard_getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project_2863877.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/james-holzhauer-8135_hard_getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project_2863877.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/james-holzhauer-8135_hard_getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project_2863877.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Getting onto 'Jeopardy!' was a pet project my whole life, so it was something I was willing to work really…” — James Holzhauer", "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": "James Holzhauer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-holzhauer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Getting onto 'Jeopardy!' was a pet...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project-my-whole-life-so-it-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-holzhauer/getting-onto-jeopardy-was-a-pet-project-my-whole-life-so-it-was/#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 } } ] } ```