--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't have a burning ambition. I mean…" description: "\"I didn't have a burning ambition. I mean, I remember a teacher asking us, 'What do you want to do?' and I think somebody said, 'I want to go and do fil..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f5/jason-watkins-13639_ambition_i-didn-t-have-a-burning-ambition-i-mean_2973224.jpg" --- # I didn't have a burning ambition. I mean, I remember a… ![“I didn't have a burning ambition. I mean, I remember a teacher asking us, 'What do you want to do?' and I think somebody said, 'I want to go and do films in America' and somebody else said, 'I want to work in the RSC and play all the kings.' I was just happy to work.” quote by Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f5/jason-watkins-13639_ambition_i-didn-t-have-a-burning-ambition-i-mean_2973224.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f5/jason-watkins-13639_ambition_i-didn-t-have-a-burning-ambition-i-mean_2973224.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f5/jason-watkins-13639_ambition_i-didn-t-have-a-burning-ambition-i-mean_2973224.jpg) > “I didn't have a burning ambition. I mean, I remember a teacher asking us, 'What do you want to do?' and I think somebody said, 'I want to go and do films in America' and somebody else said, 'I want to work in the RSC and play all the kings.' I was just happy to work.” [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes a modest, flexible career outlook without a singular, intense goal. **In simple terms:** Content with varied work, not a single ambition. Key Takeaway Value diverse experiences. Themes career flexibility contentment Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical personal narrative When to use this quote - job hunting - creative projects - career planning - personal growth Key Concepts personal fulfillment career path Questions to Reflect On - What does success look like for you? - How do you stay motivated without a burning ambition? A Different Perspective Risk of lacking focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [“It was true that I didn’t have much ambition, but there ought to be a place for people without ambition, I mean a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/it-was-true-that-i-didn-t-have-much-ambition-but-there-ought-to-be-a/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [I've never looked ahead very much in my life. I've never had any grand plan from the outset. I had no burning ambition to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-ve-never-looked-ahead-very-much-in-my-life-i-ve-never-had-any-grand/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [“Some ask; what drives me? I tell them it's that fire in my belly. My burning Ambition to succeed and the true belief that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antwan-banks/some-ask-what-drives-me-i-tell-them-it-s-that-fire-in-my-belly-my/) Antwan Banks > [If you have a burning ambition and desire, absolutely anything can be achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jahangir-khan/if-you-have-a-burning-ambition-and-desire-absolutely-anything-can-be/) [Jahangir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jahangir-khan/) > [“The burning ambition of my life was to marry her one day. The consuming worry of my life was to whether she would agree.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikas-swarup/the-burning-ambition-of-my-life-was-to-marry-her-one-day-the/) [Vikas Swarup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikas-swarup/) > [I never had any massive burning ambition to be on the box in everyone's front rooms at peak time on Saturday night never remotely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhod-gilbert/i-never-had-any-massive-burning-ambition-to-be-on-the-box-in-everyone/) [Rhod Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhod-gilbert/) > [I had a burning ambition. Otherwise, I wouldn't have accomplished it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-bloom/i-had-a-burning-ambition-otherwise-i-wouldn-t-have-accomplished-it/) [Claire Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-bloom/) > [Winning an official World Cup with the South African team had become my burning ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ab-de-villiers/winning-an-official-world-cup-with-the-south-african-team-had-become/) [AB de Villiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ab-de-villiers/) > [I want to do films I can relate to emotionally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-slater/i-want-to-do-films-i-can-relate-to-emotionally/) [Christian Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-slater/) > [I would really want all my films to make money. But this weekend calculation is the most dangerous thing because, based on the amount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manoj-bajpayee/i-would-really-want-all-my-films-to-make-money-but-this-weekend/) [Manoj Bajpayee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manoj-bajpayee/) > [In my case I want my films to be fresh even after a decade of watching it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vignesh-shivan/in-my-case-i-want-my-films-to-be-fresh-even-after-a-decade-of/) [Vignesh Shivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vignesh-shivan/) > [I always say that I want to play Serena Williams if they ever did a biopic of hers. I definitely want to do that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-erivo/i-always-say-that-i-want-to-play-serena-williams-if-they-ever-did-a/) [Cynthia Erivo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-erivo/) > [I will not restrict myself. I want to do films and TV: both mediums are amazing to reach to the audience and express your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-fatehi/i-will-not-restrict-myself-i-want-to-do-films-and-tv-both-mediums-are/) [Nora Fatehi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-fatehi/) > [I want to be a part of films that have some kind of social comment and that will help people evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhumi-pednekar/i-want-to-be-a-part-of-films-that-have-some-kind-of-social-comment/) [Bhumi Pednekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhumi-pednekar/) > [I want all of my films to belong to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-payne/i-want-all-of-my-films-to-belong-to-me/) [Alexander Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-payne/) ## More by Jason Watkins > [Harold Wilson is a significant and fascinating character in our history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/harold-wilson-is-a-significant-and-fascinating-character-in-our/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [I'm a fan of the BBC, and have worked there on many projects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/i-m-a-fan-of-the-bbc-and-have-worked-there-on-many-projects/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [I used to be able to sprint. I used to be able to run on my hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/i-used-to-be-able-to-sprint-i-used-to-be-able-to-run-on-my-hands/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [I got to know a policeman up in Cumbria via Twitter and he said if you ever need to do any research then come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/i-got-to-know-a-policeman-up-in-cumbria-via-twitter-and-he-said-if/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [When your child dies, it's like this massive red dot in front of you. And as time goes on, it's still right there in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/when-your-child-dies-it-s-like-this-massive-red-dot-in-front-of-you/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [The Crown' is a dramatisation based on fact. It isn't a documentary. If it were, you wouldn't get Peter Morgan's writing and you wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/the-crown-is-a-dramatisation-based-on-fact-it-isn-t-a-documentary-if/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [It's a challenge to do a 10-page scene, and you have to be on your mettle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/it-s-a-challenge-to-do-a-10-page-scene-and-you-have-to-be-on-your/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [When I'm getting ready for a part, the makeup artist will often say something like: 'Oh, you don't seem the type for a tattoo.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/when-i-m-getting-ready-for-a-part-the-makeup-artist-will-often-say/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [I've done something like 80 different shows and a few films along the way. They tend to be supporting characters so I don't tend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/i-ve-done-something-like-80-different-shows-and-a-few-films-along-the/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [Freakishly I used to be able to run on my hands when I was a kid. I got quite close to the world record,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/freakishly-i-used-to-be-able-to-run-on-my-hands-when-i-was-a-kid-i/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [I was told at the age of 20 that the work would start really coming in when I was 40, and it's true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/i-was-told-at-the-age-of-20-that-the-work-would-start-really-coming/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [One always wants to express themselves when they're an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/one-always-wants-to-express-themselves-when-they-re-an-actor/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [I found Maude dead in her bed one morning. She had the flu but she died of sepsis. It was around the time of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/i-found-maude-dead-in-her-bed-one-morning-she-had-the-flu-but-she/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [It is a privilege to play the brilliant scientist, Phil Jones, whose own private world was so threatened from outside and whose research and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/it-is-a-privilege-to-play-the-brilliant-scientist-phil-jones-whose/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [Once you open up, there are so many people wanting to connect and share.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/once-you-open-up-there-are-so-many-people-wanting-to-connect-and-share/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) [Explore all 49 Jason Watkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) ## 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 didn't have a burning ambition. 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