--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was 18, I wanted to be a first-year pro." description: "\"I was 18, I wanted to be a first-year pro.\" — Sean Longstaff" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c1/sean-longstaff-25035_pro_i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro_593301.jpg" --- # I was 18, I wanted to be a first-year pro. ![“I was 18, I wanted to be a first-year pro.” quote by Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c1/sean-longstaff-25035_pro_i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro_593301.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c1/sean-longstaff-25035_pro_i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro_593301.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c1/sean-longstaff-25035_pro_i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro_593301.jpg) > “I was 18, I wanted to be a first-year pro.” [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Youth ambition often clashes with reality, leading to frustration. **In simple terms:** Young dreams meet harsh reality. Key Takeaway Align expectations with realistic goals. Themes ambition reality youth Mood reflective motivational Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - education - mentorship - goal setting Key Concepts Career development psychology sports Practical Applications - Overemphasis on early success can cause burnout. Questions to Reflect On - How do you define success at different ages? A Different Perspective What steps can you take to balance ambition and patience? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Poetry was the first step, and from the age of 18, there was nothing else I wanted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-koch/poetry-was-the-first-step-and-from-the-age-of-18-there-was-nothing/) [Christopher Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-koch/) > [The Monkees were never cancelled for a start. 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I'm not pro or con.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-o/i-don-t-think-i-m-a-gay-icon-i-have-no-axe-to-grind-i-mean-i-m/) [Steve-O](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-o/) > [Pro wrestling is treating me very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-cargill/pro-wrestling-is-treating-me-very-well/) [Jade Cargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-cargill/) > [Pro wrestling was there, and I was good at it, thank God. I started getting a lot of offers, but unfortunately, at WWE I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-angle/pro-wrestling-was-there-and-i-was-good-at-it-thank-god-i-started/) [Kurt Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-angle/) > [Every pro has to decide what they want from their ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-schauffele/every-pro-has-to-decide-what-they-want-from-their-ball/) [Xander Schauffele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-schauffele/) > [I'm getting to be a real pro at coming into things midstream and trying to catch up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ashmore/i-m-getting-to-be-a-real-pro-at-coming-into-things-midstream-and/) [Aaron Ashmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ashmore/) > [In 16, 17 years as a pro I was used to the head coach doing it alone. He might have asked his people for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurgen-klinsmann/in-16-17-years-as-a-pro-i-was-used-to-the-head-coach-doing-it-alone/) [Jurgen Klinsmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurgen-klinsmann/) > [I'm not anti-middle-class in the slightest. Look at me! I am very pro people putting time and money and effort into trying to improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-m-not-anti-middle-class-in-the-slightest-look-at-me-i-am-very-pro/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [“Be a pro at what you do. No one shows-up to meetings of the Unsuccessful Skydivers Club.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-lilly/be-a-pro-at-what-you-do-no-one-shows-up-to-meetings-of-the/) [Ryan Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-lilly/) > [We play in so many different countries. I've been in so many countries as a junior and as a pro.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniil-medvedev/we-play-in-so-many-different-countries-i-ve-been-in-so-many-countries/) [Daniil Medvedev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniil-medvedev/) > [I'm very proud of high school, college and pro football, the strides have been made to make it a safer game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/i-m-very-proud-of-high-school-college-and-pro-football-the-strides/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [I'm not being outspoken or pro or con abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-bush/i-m-not-being-outspoken-or-pro-or-con-abortion/) [Barbara Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-bush/) ## More by Sean Longstaff > [I am used to just playing football with my mates at Newcastle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-am-used-to-just-playing-football-with-my-mates-at-newcastle/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [Playing regular first-team football is a massive carrot as I have been in the reserves for two or three years. I'm used to playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/playing-regular-first-team-football-is-a-massive-carrot-as-i-have/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [You start going to games when you're younger but you think it's the norm that every football club in the world has that many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/you-start-going-to-games-when-you-re-younger-but-you-think-it-s-the/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [Sometimes you can get distracted by figures that are thrown out there and you're doing things you wouldn't normally try to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/sometimes-you-can-get-distracted-by-figures-that-are-thrown-out-there/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I'm lucky to have my uncle there as he has been able to guide me through it a bit so I was not going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-m-lucky-to-have-my-uncle-there-as-he-has-been-able-to-guide-me/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I've always wanted to play for Newcastle, and I've only had a little taste of that, so for me, it's about getting fit as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-ve-always-wanted-to-play-for-newcastle-and-i-ve-only-had-a-little/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I just get my head down and work on the pitch. Like anybody knows, you are no use to anybody if you aren't fit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-just-get-my-head-down-and-work-on-the-pitch-like-anybody-knows-you/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [If the team start picking up results, everything will look more positive and people will forget about the previous manager, as long as we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/if-the-team-start-picking-up-results-everything-will-look-more/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I speak to Matt Ritchie a lot, he's someone I lean on in the squad. 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Only I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-wanted-to-look-back-and-say-to-those-coaches-you-re-wrong-i-ll-be/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I haven't changed, I'm still the same lad who lives at home with my mam, brother and sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-haven-t-changed-i-m-still-the-same-lad-who-lives-at-home-with-my/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [I realised, 'I'm not going to dribble past five payers and score', so for me it was about having something different, and being two-footed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-realised-i-m-not-going-to-dribble-past-five-payers-and-score-so-for/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) > [It's been great to play against the top teams in the world, it can only benefit me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/it-s-been-great-to-play-against-the-top-teams-in-the-world-it-can/) [Sean Longstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) [Explore all 23 Sean Longstaff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/) ## More Pro quotes > [I'm not being outspoken or pro or con abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-bush/i-m-not-being-outspoken-or-pro-or-con-abortion/) [Barbara Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-bush/) > [I'm very proud of high school, college and pro football, the strides have been made to make it a safer game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/i-m-very-proud-of-high-school-college-and-pro-football-the-strides/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [We play in so many different countries. I've been in so many countries as a junior and as a pro.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniil-medvedev/we-play-in-so-many-different-countries-i-ve-been-in-so-many-countries/) [Daniil Medvedev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniil-medvedev/) > [“Be a pro at what you do. No one shows-up to meetings of the Unsuccessful Skydivers Club.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-lilly/be-a-pro-at-what-you-do-no-one-shows-up-to-meetings-of-the/) [Ryan Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-lilly/) > [I'm not anti-middle-class in the slightest. Look at me! I am very pro people putting time and money and effort into trying to improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-m-not-anti-middle-class-in-the-slightest-look-at-me-i-am-very-pro/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [In 16, 17 years as a pro I was used to the head coach doing it alone. He might have asked his people for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurgen-klinsmann/in-16-17-years-as-a-pro-i-was-used-to-the-head-coach-doing-it-alone/) [Jurgen Klinsmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurgen-klinsmann/) > [I'm getting to be a real pro at coming into things midstream and trying to catch up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ashmore/i-m-getting-to-be-a-real-pro-at-coming-into-things-midstream-and/) [Aaron Ashmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ashmore/) > [Every pro has to decide what they want from their ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-schauffele/every-pro-has-to-decide-what-they-want-from-their-ball/) [Xander Schauffele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-schauffele/) > [Pro wrestling was there, and I was good at it, thank God. I started getting a lot of offers, but unfortunately, at WWE I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-angle/pro-wrestling-was-there-and-i-was-good-at-it-thank-god-i-started/) [Kurt Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-angle/) > [Pro wrestling is treating me very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-cargill/pro-wrestling-is-treating-me-very-well/) [Jade Cargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-cargill/) > [I don't think I'm a gay icon. I have no axe to grind. I mean, I'm clearly not homophobic! I'm not pro or con.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-o/i-don-t-think-i-m-a-gay-icon-i-have-no-axe-to-grind-i-mean-i-m/) [Steve-O](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-o/) > [How often do you get to build a pro football league from scratch?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-luck/how-often-do-you-get-to-build-a-pro-football-league-from-scratch/) [Oliver Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-luck/) > [I made the decision to turn pro, and I remember what Ali said to me: 'Get Angelo Dundee. He's the right complexion with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-leonard/i-made-the-decision-to-turn-pro-and-i-remember-what-ali-said-to-me/) [Sugar Ray Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-leonard/) > [I became third in the U.S. as a junior pro surfer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-cipes/i-became-third-in-the-u-s-as-a-junior-pro-surfer/) [Greg Cipes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-cipes/) > [One thing pro wrestlers and NBA players have in common is passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/montel-vontavious-porter/one-thing-pro-wrestlers-and-nba-players-have-in-common-is-passion/) [Montel Vontavious Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/montel-vontavious-porter/) Browse all 177 Pro quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was 18, I wanted to be a first-year pro.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sean Longstaff" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Pro" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c1/sean-longstaff-25035_pro_i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro_593301.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c1/sean-longstaff-25035_pro_i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro_593301.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c1/sean-longstaff-25035_pro_i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro_593301.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was 18, I wanted to be a first-year pro.” — Sean Longstaff", "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": "Sean Longstaff", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-longstaff/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was 18, I wanted to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-longstaff/i-was-18-i-wanted-to-be-a-first-year-pro/#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 } } ] } ```