--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Stay focused when you're playing alive…" description: "\"Stay focused when you're playing alive, so you're not distracted by something going on.\" — John Petrucci" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/john-petrucci-2141_alive_stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-s_2452355.png" --- # Stay focused when you're playing alive, so you're not… ![“Stay focused when you're playing alive, so you're not distracted by something going on.” quote by John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/john-petrucci-2141_alive_stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-s_2452355.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/john-petrucci-2141_alive_stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-s_2452355.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/john-petrucci-2141_alive_stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-s_2452355.png) > “Stay focused when you're playing alive, so you're not distracted by something going on.” [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Staying present in the moment prevents distraction and enhances performance. **In simple terms:** Stay present to avoid distraction. Key Takeaway Practice mindfulness in activities. Themes focus mindfulness performance concentration presence Mood motivational practical Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - sports - music - work - studying Key Concepts flow state attention management mental clarity Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain focus under pressure? - What techniques help you stay present? A Different Perspective Distractions can still arise despite effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) ## Related quotes > [That is much of what I think the writer's job is - to slow people down. To give them the chance to notice the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-haslett/that-is-much-of-what-i-think-the-writer-s-job-is-to-slow-people-down/) [Adam Haslett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-haslett/) > [I think there are times when you walk onto a set you can potentially be either intimidated or distracted by what's going on around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bana/i-think-there-are-times-when-you-walk-onto-a-set-you-can-potentially/) [Eric Bana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bana/) > [The more you let yourself be distracted from where you are going, the more you are the person that you are. It's not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-stafford/the-more-you-let-yourself-be-distracted-from-where-you-are-going-the/) [William Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-stafford/) > [It's interesting trying to make something as truthful as possible, but playing someone who is still alive is quite a weird thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-pirrie/it-s-interesting-trying-to-make-something-as-truthful-as-possible-but/) [Chloe Pirrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-pirrie/) > [A lot of people from my generation of music are so focused on playing things correctly or to perfection that they're stuck in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/a-lot-of-people-from-my-generation-of-music-are-so-focused-on-playing/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [All I'm focused on is playing my game. Everything else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/all-i-m-focused-on-is-playing-my-game-everything-else-will-take-care/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [If you know you're going to be outside, you have to be a little bit more in tune, so that you don't get distracted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-dzundza/if-you-know-you-re-going-to-be-outside-you-have-to-be-a-little-bit/) [George Dzundza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-dzundza/) > [I'm just focused playing 100% as best as I can at my club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ada-hegerberg/i-m-just-focused-playing-100-as-best-as-i-can-at-my-club/) [Ada Hegerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ada-hegerberg/) > [Sincere thought means thought of concentration (quiet awareness). The thought of a distracted mind cannot be sincere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/sincere-thought-means-thought-of-concentration-quiet-awareness-the/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [I realize that just my personality is, that I've gotta stay focused. I can't be too distracted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-drudge/i-realize-that-just-my-personality-is-that-i-ve-gotta-stay-focused-i/) [Matt Drudge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-drudge/) > [My experience over 17 years playing with the Yankees, these are a few of the things that I've learned. You've got to have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-williams/my-experience-over-17-years-playing-with-the-yankees-these-are-a-few/) [Bernie Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-williams/) > [Stay positive but stay focused. Sometimes things can distract you and you don't want to be distracted on the journey to that mountain top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dj-khaled/stay-positive-but-stay-focused-sometimes-things-can-distract-you-and/) [DJ Khaled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dj-khaled/) > [I never really do the New Year's Resolution thing. I kind of just try to stay focused, not get too distracted, and do the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-monaghan/i-never-really-do-the-new-year-s-resolution-thing-i-kind-of-just-try/) [Cameron Monaghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-monaghan/) > [You have to stay focused and be mentally tough. That's what I've really learned: every day is a grind, and you have to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-gronkowski/you-have-to-stay-focused-and-be-mentally-tough-that-s-what-i-ve/) [Chris Gronkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-gronkowski/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) ## More by John Petrucci > [If you practice in a focused, concentrated manner and make efficient use of your time, you will progress a lot faster than if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/if-you-practice-in-a-focused-concentrated-manner-and-make-efficient/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [In my touring rig, there's a pedal drawer, where I'm able to switch pedals in and out, going into the front of the amp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/in-my-touring-rig-there-s-a-pedal-drawer-where-i-m-able-to-switch/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [Before Dream Theater took off I used to teach a lot, and one of the things my students often asked me was how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/before-dream-theater-took-off-i-used-to-teach-a-lot-and-one-of-the/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [I listen to somebody like Shawn Lane, and unfortunately he is no longer with us, but I hear him playing and I am like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/i-listen-to-somebody-like-shawn-lane-and-unfortunately-he-is-no/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [I'm a hopeless tone chaser!I love it and get into the whole thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/i-m-a-hopeless-tone-chaser-i-love-it-and-get-into-the-whole-thing/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [Definitely an important aspect of my playing is keeping my hands in sync.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/definitely-an-important-aspect-of-my-playing-is-keeping-my-hands-in/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [By adding open strings to even the simplest chords, you can create voicings that sound sophisticated, but are really easy (and fun) to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/by-adding-open-strings-to-even-the-simplest-chords-you-can-create/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [Sometimes just allowing yourself to noodle without any structure will enable you to stumble upon great new ideas, culminating in creating your own distinct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/sometimes-just-allowing-yourself-to-noodle-without-any-structure-will/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [Songs come alive every night and can be a new experience for someone. You might have someone in the audience who has never seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/songs-come-alive-every-night-and-can-be-a-new-experience-for-someone/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [I'm from the school of putting a lot of hours of practice into playing. But at the same time you have to write original…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/i-m-from-the-school-of-putting-a-lot-of-hours-of-practice-into/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [I have to say that our fans have been absolutely wonderful all across the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/i-have-to-say-that-our-fans-have-been-absolutely-wonderful-all-across/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [I really rely a lot more on memory. I'm definitely not as good of a sight reader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/i-really-rely-a-lot-more-on-memory-i-m-definitely-not-as-good-of-a/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [A violin neck is much smaller than the guitar's, so it's much easier to play wide intervals on one violin string. On the guitar,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/a-violin-neck-is-much-smaller-than-the-guitar-s-so-it-s-much-easier/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [Using open strings is a great way to add texture and atmosphere to any chord progression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/using-open-strings-is-a-great-way-to-add-texture-and-atmosphere-to/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [We are very, very fortunate to have built a career based on playing the kind of music we play. In a lot of ways,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/we-are-very-very-fortunate-to-have-built-a-career-based-on-playing/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) [Explore all 183 John Petrucci quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Stay focused when you're playing alive, so you're not distracted by something going on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Petrucci" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-so-you-re-not-distracted-by/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-so-you-re-not-distracted-by/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/john-petrucci-2141_alive_stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-s_2452355.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/john-petrucci-2141_alive_stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-s_2452355.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/john-petrucci-2141_alive_stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-s_2452355.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Stay focused when you're playing alive, so you're not distracted by something going on.” — John Petrucci", "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": "John Petrucci", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Stay focused when you're playing alive,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-so-you-re-not-distracted-by/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/stay-focused-when-you-re-playing-alive-so-you-re-not-distracted-by/#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 } } ] } ```