---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was very excited when I first started…"
description: "\"I was very excited when I first started to travel so much. In fact, I was amazed that people were paying me to travel to play the game I loved.\" — Rory..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/rory-mcilroy-10037_amazed_i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started_3141884.png"
---

#  I was very excited when I first started to travel so much…

![“I was very excited when I first started to travel so much. In fact, I was amazed that people were paying me to travel to play the game I loved.” quote by Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/rory-mcilroy-10037_amazed_i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started_3141884.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/rory-mcilroy-10037_amazed_i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started_3141884.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/rory-mcilroy-10037_amazed_i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started_3141884.png)

> “I was very excited when I first started to travel so much. In fact, I was amazed that people were paying me to travel to play the game I loved.”

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Excitement at turning a passion into a paid profession, highlighting joy in work.

**In simple terms:** Passion turned into paid work.

Key Takeaway

Pursue work you love.

Themes

career passion reward

Mood

enthusiastic inspired

Type

motivational personal

When to use this quote

- professional golf
- sponsorship deals
- career transitions

Key Concepts

motivation sports economics personal fulfillment

Questions to Reflect On

- What would you do if work felt like play?
- How to keep passion alive?

A Different Perspective

Risk of burnout if passion becomes obligation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Amazed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazed/) [Excited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excited/) [Excited Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excited-started-3513974/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Game Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game-loved-664670/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Paying Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paying-travel-5602250/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Started Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-travel-609654/) [Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel/) [Travel Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel-play-446995/) [Vacation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vacation/)

## Related quotes

> [I remember feeling that technology was like trying to draw with your foot. In a ski boot. It was the most indirect way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-wedge/i-remember-feeling-that-technology-was-like-trying-to-draw-with-your/)

[Chris Wedge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-wedge/)

> [Everyone started to have a camera. That's when I started to travel outside of New York and go into nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/everyone-started-to-have-a-camera-that-s-when-i-started-to-travel/)

[Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/)

> [I loved the game. I loved the competition. But I never had any fun. I never enjoyed it. All hard work all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-yastrzemski/i-loved-the-game-i-loved-the-competition-but-i-never-had-any-fun-i/)

[Carl Yastrzemski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-yastrzemski/)

> [I found it difficult when I first started to travel around the world as a footballer. Hotels go from places you are excited to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-forlan/i-found-it-difficult-when-i-first-started-to-travel-around-the-world/)

[Diego Forlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-forlan/)

> [I started to travel like this at the age of 15 so for me, it's normal. Some days you get tired and you feel,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-nadal/i-started-to-travel-like-this-at-the-age-of-15-so-for-me-it-s-normal/)

[Rafael Nadal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-nadal/)

> [I loved the game. I loved it from the start. I was always with a basketball. I'd even dribble a basketball when I'd throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muggsy-bogues/i-loved-the-game-i-loved-it-from-the-start-i-was-always-with-a/)

[Muggsy Bogues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muggsy-bogues/)

> [I love watching the game, and I loved watching the World Cup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-pulisic/i-love-watching-the-game-and-i-loved-watching-the-world-cup/)

[Christian Pulisic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-pulisic/)

> [Definitely India is one place I'd love to travel to and play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-blue/definitely-india-is-one-place-i-d-love-to-travel-to-and-play/)

[Jonas Blue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-blue/)

> [I hate going anywhere. I'm really excited to travel and play all these different places, but if I had it my way, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-barnett/i-hate-going-anywhere-i-m-really-excited-to-travel-and-play-all-these/)

[Courtney Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-barnett/)

> [You get into the season and it's travel, play a game, travel, get to the next city, have a practice or film, get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/you-get-into-the-season-and-it-s-travel-play-a-game-travel-get-to-the/)

[Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/)

> [I love to do movies. That's something that I find so much joy in, in being able to travel around and play new characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayden-panettiere/i-love-to-do-movies-that-s-something-that-i-find-so-much-joy-in-in/)

[Hayden Panettiere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayden-panettiere/)

> [I'm endlessly amazed by what people are capable of, and incapable of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/i-m-endlessly-amazed-by-what-people-are-capable-of-and-incapable-of/)

[Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/)

> [“I am amazed at how being with him changes everything for me, socially speaking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/i-am-amazed-at-how-being-with-him-changes-everything-for-me-socially/)

[Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/)

> [You'd be amazed at pain and tears a single smile hides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-vasquez/you-d-be-amazed-at-pain-and-tears-a-single-smile-hides/)

[Christian Vasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-vasquez/)

> [You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/you-will-never-cease-to-be-the-most-amazed-person-on-earth-at-what/)

[Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/)

## More by Rory McIlroy

> [It's a great feeling to know that I've played the best golf throughout the season of any of the guys for the second time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/it-s-a-great-feeling-to-know-that-i-ve-played-the-best-golf/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [I receive huge support from Irish and British sports fans alike and it is greatly appreciated. Likewise I feel I have a great affinity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-receive-huge-support-from-irish-and-british-sports-fans-alike-and/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [The Open is the one that we all want and strive for and to be able to hold this Claret Jug is an incredible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/the-open-is-the-one-that-we-all-want-and-strive-for-and-to-be-able-to/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [I was detained a couple of times but that was for not handing in homework because I was playing golf or not present because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-was-detained-a-couple-of-times-but-that-was-for-not-handing-in/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [The great thing about my two lives is I love them both. I'm very ambitious and nothing gets in the way of me practising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/the-great-thing-about-my-two-lives-is-i-love-them-both-i-m-very/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [You know I need that cockiness, the self-belief, arrogance, swagger, whatever you want to call it, I need that on the golf course to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/you-know-i-need-that-cockiness-the-self-belief-arrogance-swagger/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [My parent are very proud, but Dad ripped into me for throwing a club on the 11th. He's happy with the way I played,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/my-parent-are-very-proud-but-dad-ripped-into-me-for-throwing-a-club/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [I don't really remember, but from about the age of five I told anyone who would listen that I was going to be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-don-t-really-remember-but-from-about-the-age-of-five-i-told-anyone/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [I wish to clarify that I have absolutely not made a decision regarding my participation in the next Olympics. On a personal level, playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-wish-to-clarify-that-i-have-absolutely-not-made-a-decision/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [On that Sunday of the Masters I remember turning on ESPN to find people talking about me. I switched over to the Golf Channel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/on-that-sunday-of-the-masters-i-remember-turning-on-espn-to-find/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [Since turning professional at 18, I have travelled the world playing the game that I love and consider myself a global player. As the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/since-turning-professional-at-18-i-have-travelled-the-world-playing/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [I used to not really like going to the gym when I was playing tournaments because I'd be sore and stiff. But the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-used-to-not-really-like-going-to-the-gym-when-i-was-playing/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [I started to really believe in myself, and my abilities, when I won the World Under-10 championship in Doral, Florida. I was nine and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-started-to-really-believe-in-myself-and-my-abilities-when-i-won-the/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [I've had support from all sides, from people who call themselves Irish, from Northern Irish, to the whole of the UK, to people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-ve-had-support-from-all-sides-from-people-who-call-themselves-irish/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [With success comes expectation and I know the expectation on me is going to be pretty high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/with-success-comes-expectation-and-i-know-the-expectation-on-me-is/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

[Explore all 68 Rory McIlroy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

## More Amazed quotes

> [You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/you-will-never-cease-to-be-the-most-amazed-person-on-earth-at-what/)

[Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/)

> [You'd be amazed at pain and tears a single smile hides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-vasquez/you-d-be-amazed-at-pain-and-tears-a-single-smile-hides/)

[Christian Vasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-vasquez/)

> [“I am amazed at how being with him changes everything for me, socially speaking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/i-am-amazed-at-how-being-with-him-changes-everything-for-me-socially/)

[Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/)

> [I'm endlessly amazed by what people are capable of, and incapable of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/i-m-endlessly-amazed-by-what-people-are-capable-of-and-incapable-of/)

[Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/)

> [Souls love. That’s what souls do. Egos don’t, but souls do. Become a soul, look around, and you’ll be amazed-all the beings around you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/souls-love-that-s-what-souls-do-egos-don-t-but-souls-do-become-a-soul/)

[Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/)

> [Contrary to a common myth, while there are general guidelines, there is no exact 'right' way to run ... I am amazed by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grete-waitz/contrary-to-a-common-myth-while-there-are-general-guidelines-there-is/)

[Grete Waitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grete-waitz/)

> [I'm always amazed by writers who tell me they plan everything at the beginning. I feel their writing days must be very bland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-tremain/i-m-always-amazed-by-writers-who-tell-me-they-plan-everything-at-the/)

[Rose Tremain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-tremain/)

> [What I am telling you is that you do not need to know to love, and it is right that you feel it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/what-i-am-telling-you-is-that-you-do-not-need-to-know-to-love-and-it/)

[Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/)

> [My father was truly a great man. I remember one day putting my feet in my father's shoes. I was amazed at the size.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/my-father-was-truly-a-great-man-i-remember-one-day-putting-my-feet-in/)

[Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/)

> [J. Budziszewski is perhaps the clearest and most eloquent natural lawyer writing today. When reading his works I often find myself amazed by his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-j-beckwith/j-budziszewski-is-perhaps-the-clearest-and-most-eloquent-natural/)

[Francis J. Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-j-beckwith/)

> [I've never ceased to be amazed at the survival skills of poor children. I've learned how much children can actually do for themselves if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/landon-pearson/i-ve-never-ceased-to-be-amazed-at-the-survival-skills-of-poor/)

[Landon Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/landon-pearson/)

> [Mystical experiences (unlike scientific conclusions) cannot be communicated from one person to another. Philosophers and little children are continually amazed that we, unaccountably, find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-keen/mystical-experiences-unlike-scientific-conclusions-cannot-be/)

[Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/)

> [As soon as I arrived I made an attempt to find my host but the two or three people of whom I asked his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/as-soon-as-i-arrived-i-made-an-attempt-to-find-my-host-but-the-two-or/)

[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/)

> [I don't know why, but I'm continually amazed to think that two and a half billion of us around the world are connected to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-kovacs/i-don-t-know-why-but-i-m-continually-amazed-to-think-that-two-and-a/)

[Gary Kovacs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-kovacs/)

> [The key to contentment is to consider. Consider who you are and be satisfied with that. Consider what you have and be satisfied with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luci-swindoll/the-key-to-contentment-is-to-consider-consider-who-you-are-and-be/)

[Luci Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luci-swindoll/)

[Browse all 776 Amazed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazed/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I was very excited when I first started to travel so much. In fact, I was amazed that people were paying me to travel to play the game I loved.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Rory McIlroy"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started-to-travel-so-much-in-fact-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Amazed"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started-to-travel-so-much-in-fact-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/rory-mcilroy-10037_amazed_i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started_3141884.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/rory-mcilroy-10037_amazed_i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started_3141884.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b97/rory-mcilroy-10037_amazed_i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started_3141884.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I was very excited when I first started to travel so much. In fact, I was amazed that people were paying me…” — Rory McIlroy",
                "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": "Rory McIlroy",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I was very excited when I...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started-to-travel-so-much-in-fact-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-was-very-excited-when-i-first-started-to-travel-so-much-in-fact-i/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
