--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have to admit I didn't do as much as I…" description: "\"I have to admit I didn't do as much as I should have back when I was mayor, but now we're getting it done. It's not where you've been but where you're ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/marion-barry-18534_done_i-have-to-admit-i-didn-t-do-as-much-as-i_744813.jpg" --- # I have to admit I didn't do as much as I should have back… ![“I have to admit I didn't do as much as I should have back when I was mayor, but now we're getting it done. It's not where you've been but where you're going.” quote by Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/marion-barry-18534_done_i-have-to-admit-i-didn-t-do-as-much-as-i_744813.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/marion-barry-18534_done_i-have-to-admit-i-didn-t-do-as-much-as-i_744813.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/marion-barry-18534_done_i-have-to-admit-i-didn-t-do-as-much-as-i_744813.jpg) > “I have to admit I didn't do as much as I should have back when I was mayor, but now we're getting it done. It's not where you've been but where you're going.” [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He acknowledges past shortcomings but emphasizes current progress and future direction. **In simple terms:** He admits past failure, now focuses on moving forward. Key Takeaway Own past mistakes, prioritize future results. Themes leadership accountability progress Mood reflective determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - political office - community projects - personal development Key Concepts public service personal growth redemption Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure real change? - What steps ensure accountability? A Different Perspective Past errors may still affect credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Getting It Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-it-done/) [Mayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mayor/) [Mayors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mayors/) ## Related quotes > [I certainly didn't see the mayor's withdrawal coming. I was looking for a highly contested mayoral campaign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-certainly-didn-t-see-the-mayor-s-withdrawal-coming-i-was-looking/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [Aside from the murders, DC has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Marion Barry I have to admit I didn't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/aside-from-the-murders-dc-has-one-of-the-lowest-crime-rates-in-the-2/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [I never had an interest in being a mayor ’cause that’s a real job. You have to produce. That’s why I was able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-never-had-an-interest-in-being-a-mayor-cause-that-s-a-real-job-you/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [I pledge tonight to be Mayor for all of the people of this city - for one Chicago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-byrne/i-pledge-tonight-to-be-mayor-for-all-of-the-people-of-this-city-for/) [Jane Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-byrne/) > [We had a very good number of mayors participate this year. All the mayors rode out with regular volunteers as well as members of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-jackson/we-had-a-very-good-number-of-mayors-participate-this-year-all-the/) [Amy Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-jackson/) > [We need a mayor who knows how to balance a budget, who understands the urgency of delivering all the services that a great city…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-maloney/we-need-a-mayor-who-knows-how-to-balance-a-budget-who-understands-the/) [Carolyn Maloney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-maloney/) > [I never doubted that I would be a good mayor. I never did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/i-never-doubted-that-i-would-be-a-good-mayor-i-never-did/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [2010 Foursquare Mayor Of The Year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baratunde-thurston/2010-foursquare-mayor-of-the-year/) [Baratunde Thurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baratunde-thurston/) > [There has to be life after the Charlotte Mayors office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-gantt/there-has-to-be-life-after-the-charlotte-mayors-office/) [Harvey Gantt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-gantt/) > [I want a formal apology from the mayor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-gonzalez/i-want-a-formal-apology-from-the-mayor/) Antonio Gonzalez > [I Kenneth Robert Livingstone, having been elected to the office of mayor of London, declare that I take that office upon myself, and will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-livingstone/i-kenneth-robert-livingstone-having-been-elected-to-the-office-of/) [Ken Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-livingstone/) > [Mayors of New York are almost automatically national figures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/mayors-of-new-york-are-almost-automatically-national-figures/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [You can be anything you want to be. You can be a street sweeper, if you want. Just be the best blasted street sweeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-dinkins/you-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be-you-can-be-a-street-sweeper-if-you/) [David Dinkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-dinkins/) > [Some people call me the unofficial mayor of Castro Street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-milk/some-people-call-me-the-unofficial-mayor-of-castro-street/) [Harvey Milk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-milk/) > [I love being the mayor. I want to be the mayor forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/i-love-being-the-mayor-i-want-to-be-the-mayor-forever/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) ## More by Marion Barry > [My greatest work comes in the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/my-greatest-work-comes-in-the-community/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [We got to do something about these Asians coming in and opening up business and dirty shops. They ought to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/we-got-to-do-something-about-these-asians-coming-in-and-opening-up/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [What dragged me down was not being mayor - it was insecurity, the need to be accepted by everyone, the pleasure syndrome. That's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/what-dragged-me-down-was-not-being-mayor-it-was-insecurity-the-need/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [This is not a sham, not a game. This is the real stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/this-is-not-a-sham-not-a-game-this-is-the-real-stuff/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [And no offense, but let’s grow our own teachers, let’s grow our own nurses—and so that we don’t have to be scrounging around in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/and-no-offense-but-let-s-grow-our-own-teachers-let-s-grow-our-own/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [People have criticized me because my security detail is larger than the president's. But you must ask yourself: are there more people who want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/people-have-criticized-me-because-my-security-detail-is-larger-than/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [I read a funny story about how the Republicans freed the slaves. The Republicans are the ones who created slavery by law in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/i-read-a-funny-story-about-how-the-republicans-freed-the-slaves-the/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [I am a great mayor; I am an upstanding Christian man; I am an intelligent man; I am a deeply educated man; I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/i-am-a-great-mayor-i-am-an-upstanding-christian-man-i-am-an/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [When you know more, you can do more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/when-you-know-more-you-can-do-more/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [The contagious people of Washington have stood firm against diversity during this long period of increment weather.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/the-contagious-people-of-washington-have-stood-firm-against-diversity/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [Jesse ain't running nothin' but his mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/jesse-ain-t-running-nothin-but-his-mouth/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [The brave men who died in Vietnam, more than 100% of which were black, were the ultimate sacrifice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/the-brave-men-who-died-in-vietnam-more-than-100-of-which-were-black/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [I like boxing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/i-like-boxing/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [My personal view is very simple: What happens in your bedroom, it's up to you. If you want to use gay marriage as an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/my-personal-view-is-very-simple-what-happens-in-your-bedroom-it-s-up/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [If you take out the killings, Washington actually has a very low crime rate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/if-you-take-out-the-killings-washington-actually-has-a-very-low-crime/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) [Explore all 34 Marion Barry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) ## More Done quotes > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [Usually male directors have to use foul language to get the job done. But I never came down to that level as being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-khosla-kumar/usually-male-directors-have-to-use-foul-language-to-get-the-job-done/) [Divya Khosla Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-khosla-kumar/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [I don't enjoy killing, but when done righteously, it's just a chore, like any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua/i-don-t-enjoy-killing-but-when-done-righteously-it-s-just-a-chore/) [Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua/) > [Of everything I have done, 'The Archers' always gets the most excitement; there's a sort of uncontrollable joy from fans of the program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/of-everything-i-have-done-the-archers-always-gets-the-most-excitement/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) Browse all 25,653 Done quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have to admit I didn't do as much as I should have back when I was mayor, but now we're getting it done. 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