--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where I came from, my upbringing, the ups…" description: "\"Where I came from, my upbringing, the ups and downs it took to get my career started, when I made it, I played every game like it was my last game.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/matt-barnes-6673_career_where-i-came-from-my-upbringing-the-ups_818180.jpg" --- # Where I came from, my upbringing, the ups and downs it… ![“Where I came from, my upbringing, the ups and downs it took to get my career started, when I made it, I played every game like it was my last game.” quote by Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/matt-barnes-6673_career_where-i-came-from-my-upbringing-the-ups_818180.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/matt-barnes-6673_career_where-i-came-from-my-upbringing-the-ups_818180.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/matt-barnes-6673_career_where-i-came-from-my-upbringing-the-ups_818180.jpg) > “Where I came from, my upbringing, the ups and downs it took to get my career started, when I made it, I played every game like it was my last game.” [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal hardships shaped a relentless mindset, treating each opportunity as a final chance. **In simple terms:** Hardship fuels a “last‑game” attitude. Key Takeaway Play every opportunity with full commitment. Themes hardship determination career mindset Mood determined energetic Type inspirational cautionary When to use this quote - career setbacks - competition - goal setting Key Concepts sports psychology motivation resilience Questions to Reflect On - What drives your “last‑game” mindset? - How do you sustain it long‑term? A Different Perspective Over‑intensity may cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Ups and downs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ups-and-downs/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of my strength came from my upbringing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-bridges/a-lot-of-my-strength-came-from-my-upbringing/) [Ruby Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-bridges/) > [Manchester City was the most important step I took in my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-cancelo/manchester-city-was-the-most-important-step-i-took-in-my-career/) [Joao Cancelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-cancelo/) > [So I just always drew. But never took that as a career path. 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In Germany at that time, it was almost impossible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralf-rangnick/my-coaching-career-started-at-the-age-of-19-senior-football-then-at/) [Ralf Rangnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralf-rangnick/) ## More by Matt Barnes > [I play basketball hard-nosed and if you're not on my team, during that 48 minutes we're enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/i-play-basketball-hard-nosed-and-if-you-re-not-on-my-team-during-that/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [I realize that I'm one of those guys that if I'm not with you, you hate me. But when I'm with you, you understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/i-realize-that-i-m-one-of-those-guys-that-if-i-m-not-with-you-you/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [I'm a role player, a journeyman. I know who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/i-m-a-role-player-a-journeyman-i-know-who-i-am/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [In the NBA you better come to play every night, where in the NBDL the talent level just isn't there and maybe you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/in-the-nba-you-better-come-to-play-every-night-where-in-the-nbdl-the/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [Ever since I lost my mom, I'm really just trying to give back. At first, we were doing screenings and paying for surgeries, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/ever-since-i-lost-my-mom-i-m-really-just-trying-to-give-back-at-first/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [I mean, don't get me wrong, being ref is a very tough job - managing 10 of the best athletes in the world. 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I've had managers, the minute they say it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/my-non-career-my-excuse-for-a-career-honestly-i-never-think-about-the/) [Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/) > [“The vocation of a man lies in his vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vocation-of-a-man-lies-in-his-vision/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/) [John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/) > [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. 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