--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My dad told me this a long time ago…" description: "\"My dad told me this a long time ago, never worry about what your next job is, just worry about what you are doing right then. As I grow older, I couldn..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bf/jeff-van-gundy-4113_advice_my-dad-told-me-this-a-long-time-ago-neve_2490410.png" --- # My dad told me this a long time ago, never worry about… ![“My dad told me this a long time ago, never worry about what your next job is, just worry about what you are doing right then. As I grow older, I couldn't agree more with that advice. Sometimes you get so worried about what's next that you fail to appreciate what you have.” quote by Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bf/jeff-van-gundy-4113_advice_my-dad-told-me-this-a-long-time-ago-neve_2490410.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bf/jeff-van-gundy-4113_advice_my-dad-told-me-this-a-long-time-ago-neve_2490410.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bf/jeff-van-gundy-4113_advice_my-dad-told-me-this-a-long-time-ago-neve_2490410.png) > “My dad told me this a long time ago, never worry about what your next job is, just worry about what you are doing right then. As I grow older, I couldn't agree more with that advice. Sometimes you get so worried about what's next that you fail to appreciate what you have.” [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focus on present actions rather than future outcomes to fully engage and perform well. **In simple terms:** Live in the now, not the future. Key Takeaway Prioritize current effort over future anxiety. Themes mindfulness focus performance career anxiety Mood reflective motivational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - work tasks - personal projects - sports competitions - creative endeavors Key Concepts present-moment awareness intrinsic motivation stress management Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance present focus with necessary future planning? - What habits help you stay present? A Different Perspective Neglecting future planning can lead to missed opportunities or lack of direction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Doing right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-right/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) ## Related quotes > [“I realized a long time ago not to worry about whodunnit; the more answers you find, the more questions they'll keep raising.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moxie-mezcal/i-realized-a-long-time-ago-not-to-worry-about-whodunnit-the-more/) [Moxie Mezcal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moxie-mezcal/) > [If you are a manager who is in your first or second job, the big worry would be where is your next job coming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hughton/if-you-are-a-manager-who-is-in-your-first-or-second-job-the-big-worry/) [Chris Hughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hughton/) > [I just try to bring a kind of consciousness to the work I'm doing. I'll worry about the next job when I have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-marcarelli/i-just-try-to-bring-a-kind-of-consciousness-to-the-work-i-m-doing-i/) [Paul Marcarelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-marcarelli/) > [I used to tell my graduate students at Stanford, 'Don't worry about what job you have to pick because your job picks you. Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/i-used-to-tell-my-graduate-students-at-stanford-don-t-worry-about/) [Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/) > [“I know that sounds too earnest, but it’s true. I mean, I would rather be a librarian, but I worry about the job security.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/i-know-that-sounds-too-earnest-but-it-s-true-i-mean-i-would-rather-be/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“I mean I would rather be a librarian but I worry about the job security, books may be temporary dicks are forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/i-mean-i-would-rather-be-a-librarian-but-i-worry-about-the-job/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [“I would rather be a librarian, but I worry about the job security. Books may be temporary; dicks are forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/i-would-rather-be-a-librarian-but-i-worry-about-the-job-security/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [I think that if youve got 5 million people that enjoy drama and invest in characters, you must take the time to not worry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beesley/i-think-that-if-youve-got-5-million-people-that-enjoy-drama-and/) [Max Beesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beesley/) > [Every time I do something, I worry it's my last job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parker-posey/every-time-i-do-something-i-worry-it-s-my-last-job/) [Parker Posey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parker-posey/) > [“Do the right thing every single day and you never have to worry about your job or your pay.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-knellinger/do-the-right-thing-every-single-day-and-you-never-have-to-worry-about/) Eric Knellinger > [I discovered a long time ago that if I focus on doing the right thing for the long term to improve the lives of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-polman/i-discovered-a-long-time-ago-that-if-i-focus-on-doing-the-right-thing/) [Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-polman/) > [What works for me is knowing the character in an emotional sense. I wish I was more logical but it doesn't work for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hawkins/what-works-for-me-is-knowing-the-character-in-an-emotional-sense-i/) [Sally Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hawkins/) > [Don't worry about what I'm doing. I want u to worry about what u're doing...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/don-t-worry-about-what-i-m-doing-i-want-u-to-worry-about-what-u-re/) Unkown > [Do not worry about what others are doing! Each of us should turn the searchlight inward and purify his or her own heart as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/do-not-worry-about-what-others-are-doing-each-of-us-should-turn-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Do you. Just focus on being the best version of yourself that you can be every day, and don't compare yourself to anyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-martinez/do-you-just-focus-on-being-the-best-version-of-yourself-that-you-can/) [Angie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-martinez/) ## More by Jeff Van Gundy > [Often, organizations don't know how good they have it with a player or coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/often-organizations-don-t-know-how-good-they-have-it-with-a-player-or/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Dwight Howard is a Hall of Fame player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/dwight-howard-is-a-hall-of-fame-player/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [You start comparing people, and ultimately, somebody feels diminished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/you-start-comparing-people-and-ultimately-somebody-feels-diminished/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [I miss coaching - certain elements of coaching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/i-miss-coaching-certain-elements-of-coaching/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [To be successful in anything, you have to have a passion for it, and that leads to being enthusiastic and demanding. I didn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/to-be-successful-in-anything-you-have-to-have-a-passion-for-it-and/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [If your best offensive players go down, all you can do is hang on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/if-your-best-offensive-players-go-down-all-you-can-do-is-hang-on/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [The beauty of growing up in a coaching family, particularly one that isn't at the very highest level, is that you get to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/the-beauty-of-growing-up-in-a-coaching-family-particularly-one-that/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Goaltending was brought in because of Mikan and Chamberlain. So rules do change for specific players, in concert with a need to stay up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/goaltending-was-brought-in-because-of-mikan-and-chamberlain-so-rules/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Manu Ginobili - I like to watch him. I would pay to watch him play the game. He will try things that will drive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/manu-ginobili-i-like-to-watch-him-i-would-pay-to-watch-him-play-the/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Shooting percentage is just as much about decision making as it is about technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/shooting-percentage-is-just-as-much-about-decision-making-as-it-is/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [When you know better and you don't do better, you're no better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/when-you-know-better-and-you-don-t-do-better-you-re-no-better/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [In one era, it's hard enough to compare people. But comparing people of different eras... that's next to impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/in-one-era-it-s-hard-enough-to-compare-people-but-comparing-people-of/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Systems are overrated; players are underrated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/systems-are-overrated-players-are-underrated/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Just concentrate on what you're supposed to do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/just-concentrate-on-what-you-re-supposed-to-do/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [I love listening to Coach Belichick's press conferences: even though they may not be what the media wants, they're great coaching, teaching tools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/i-love-listening-to-coach-belichick-s-press-conferences-even-though/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) [Explore all 116 Jeff Van Gundy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) ## More Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) Mak\_786 > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/if-your-clothes-are-enough-to-drive-would-be-friends-away-they-re-not/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. 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