--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started out, Jay Leno used to say…" description: "\"When I started out, Jay Leno used to say you're not as good as you think you can be until at least your sixth year. I was like, what the hell is he tal..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/ray-romano-3515_good_when-i-started-out-jay-leno-used-to-say_2174548.jpg" --- # When I started out, Jay Leno used to say you're not as… ![“When I started out, Jay Leno used to say you're not as good as you think you can be until at least your sixth year. I was like, what the hell is he talking about? 'Cause I was in my third year, and I thought, 'I got this.' I kept videos of myself performing, and in my fifth year I watched my third…” quote by Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/ray-romano-3515_good_when-i-started-out-jay-leno-used-to-say_2174548.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/ray-romano-3515_good_when-i-started-out-jay-leno-used-to-say_2174548.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/ray-romano-3515_good_when-i-started-out-jay-leno-used-to-say_2174548.jpg) > “When I started out, Jay Leno used to say you're not as good as you think you can be until at least your sixth year. I was like, what the hell is he talking about? 'Cause I was in my third year, and I thought, 'I got this.' I kept videos of myself performing, and in my fifth year I watched my third year and realized he couldn't have been more right.” [Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-romano/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early confidence often overestimates ability; experience reveals true skill level. **In simple terms:** Confidence can be misleading without experience. Key Takeaway Seek honest self‑assessment over time. Themes self‑awareness growth humility Mood reflective motivational Type advice personal development When to use this quote - career planning - performance review - personal coaching Key Concepts confidence bias skill development Questions to Reflect On - How can you objectively measure progress? - What feedback loops help you stay realistic? 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