--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only thing I can control is working…" description: "\"The only thing I can control is working as hard as I possibly can to do a good job and make people right on the opportunities that they've given me.\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/sean-mcvay-11068_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working_2128951.jpg" --- # The only thing I can control is working as hard as I… ![“The only thing I can control is working as hard as I possibly can to do a good job and make people right on the opportunities that they've given me.” quote by Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/sean-mcvay-11068_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working_2128951.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/sean-mcvay-11068_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working_2128951.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/sean-mcvay-11068_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working_2128951.jpg) > “The only thing I can control is working as hard as I possibly can to do a good job and make people right on the opportunities that they've given me.” [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focuses on controlling personal effort and delivering quality work to honor given opportunities. **In simple terms:** Control effort, honor opportunities. Key Takeaway Give your best effort consistently. Themes hard work responsibility gratitude Mood motivational reflective Type professional inspirational When to use this quote - job performance - team projects - career advancement Key Concepts self‑efficacy opportunity ethics performance mindset Questions to Reflect On - What does “doing a good job” mean to you? - How do you balance effort with self‑care? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on effort may ignore systemic barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Control Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control-working-1357689/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Good job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-job/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right/) [Thing Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-control-347044/) [Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working/) [Working hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-hard/) ## Related quotes > [The only thing I have control over is working hard and going about my business the right way, and playing the game how I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-bregman/the-only-thing-i-have-control-over-is-working-hard-and-going-about-my/) [Alex Bregman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-bregman/) > [I tend to spiral out of control if I'm not working. I get panicked and don't know what to do with myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-byrne/i-tend-to-spiral-out-of-control-if-i-m-not-working-i-get-panicked-and/) [Rose Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-byrne/) > [What I say is the only thing I can control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morena-baccarin/what-i-say-is-the-only-thing-i-can-control/) [Morena Baccarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morena-baccarin/) > [The only thing we can control is the daily work we put in, and that's all that matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danilo-gallinari/the-only-thing-we-can-control-is-the-daily-work-we-put-in-and-that-s/) [Danilo Gallinari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danilo-gallinari/) > [The only thing I can control is how well I pitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-verlander/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-how-well-i-pitch/) [Justin Verlander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-verlander/) > [The only thing we can control is the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shai-gilgeous-alexander/the-only-thing-we-can-control-is-the-present/) [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shai-gilgeous-alexander/) > [The only thing that we cannot control is our supporters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-mourinho/the-only-thing-that-we-cannot-control-is-our-supporters/) [Jose Mourinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-mourinho/) > [If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control - myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-i-really-want-to-improve-my-situation-i-can-work-on-the-one-thing-2/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The one thing you can control is effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malik-jackson/the-one-thing-you-can-control-is-effort/) [Malik Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malik-jackson/) > [One thing you cannot control is nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-ross/one-thing-you-cannot-control-is-nature/) [Diana Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-ross/) > [He who can destroy a thing, can control a thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/he-who-can-destroy-a-thing-can-control-a-thing/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [The only thing I can control is to work hard and do my best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-acuna-jr/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-to-work-hard-and-do-my-best/) [Ronald Acuna Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-acuna-jr/) > [“The people who can destroy a thing, they control it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/the-people-who-can-destroy-a-thing-they-control-it/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [Besides, the only thing you can control in life is your wardrobe. Cars break down when you least expect it. Boats eat money and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-kaufman/besides-the-only-thing-you-can-control-in-life-is-your-wardrobe-cars/) [Margo Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-kaufman/) > [There is only one thing we can't control and that's our Emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustapha-falalu-bello/there-is-only-one-thing-we-can-t-control-and-that-s-our-emotions/) [Mustapha Falalu Bello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustapha-falalu-bello/) ## More by Sean McVay > [You look at Matt LaFleur and where he's been. It seems like successful quarterback play follows him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/you-look-at-matt-lafleur-and-where-he-s-been-it-seems-like-successful/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [It's always a consistent approach of trying to get better, listening and learning from everybody else, and then that will help you become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/it-s-always-a-consistent-approach-of-trying-to-get-better-listening/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [I have no life - other than I love football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/i-have-no-life-other-than-i-love-football/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [I love being in a city with great weather.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/i-love-being-in-a-city-with-great-weather/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [Matt LaFleur's a great coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/matt-lafleur-s-a-great-coach/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [There is a mutual respect that exists between coaches and players, and ultimately, it's about us trying to help them reach their highest potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/there-is-a-mutual-respect-that-exists-between-coaches-and-players-and/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to be a head coach at some point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/i-d-be-lying-if-i-said-i-didn-t-want-to-be-a-head-coach-at-some-point/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [I think once you stop learning, you're going to stop growing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/i-think-once-you-stop-learning-you-re-going-to-stop-growing/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [With any player, especially at quarterback, I don't care if you're talking Tom Brady or Peyton Manning or Drew Brees: you want to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/with-any-player-especially-at-quarterback-i-don-t-care-if-you-re/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [It's very important, when you talk about a player like an Aaron Donald, 'Hey, here comes Ndamukong. How do you feel about a player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/it-s-very-important-when-you-talk-about-a-player-like-an-aaron-donald/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [My grandfather has a whole lot of respect for Coach Carroll and the way he handled himself and the contributions he made to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/my-grandfather-has-a-whole-lot-of-respect-for-coach-carroll-and-the/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [What I didn't realize is, getting out to L.A., you realize how normal it is, especially if you go eat or have dinner in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/what-i-didn-t-realize-is-getting-out-to-l-a-you-realize-how-normal-it/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [I would say that I probably remember football stuff... but it's not like you see it once and then it's just there. I go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/i-would-say-that-i-probably-remember-football-stuff-but-it-s-not-like/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [I probably don't have any room in my mind for anything but football. My dad tells me I'm a total vegetable outside of just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/i-probably-don-t-have-any-room-in-my-mind-for-anything-but-football/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [To be able to win a state championship my senior year with the coaches and with some of my closest friends in the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/to-be-able-to-win-a-state-championship-my-senior-year-with-the/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) [Explore all 62 Sean McVay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) ## More Control quotes > [We have to get control of our borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/we-have-to-get-control-of-our-borders/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“You can't control who loves you...you can't let someone love you anymore than you can make someone love you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/you-can-t-control-who-loves-you-you-can-t-let-someone-love-you/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [Don't think you can...know you can! You human body is the most impressive tool you'll ever own. Even if you can't control everything, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hardy/don-t-think-you-can-know-you-can-you-human-body-is-the-most/) [Jeff Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hardy/) > [If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-have-everything-under-control-you-re-not-moving-fast-enough/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [“Without time management, you lose control of your life and do what other people tell you to do. You lose control and become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-miller/without-time-management-you-lose-control-of-your-life-and-do-what/) [Thomas Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-miller/) > [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/) > [Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/many-of-us-rely-on-our-own-illusion-of-control-but-when-god-makes-it/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [“He who can destroy a thing has the real control of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/he-who-can-destroy-a-thing-has-the-real-control-of-it/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying or getting overly angry or to maintain control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-haysbert/sometimes-you-have-to-laugh-to-keep-from-crying-or-getting-overly/) [Dennis Haysbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-haysbert/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [Some nights I'm funny with the between-song commentary, some nights I'm not. I have no control over this. I pace the stage a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berman/some-nights-i-m-funny-with-the-between-song-commentary-some-nights-i/) [David Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berman/) > [“Control never be a means to any practical end. It can never be a means to anything but more control… Like punk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/control-never-be-a-means-to-any-practical-end-it-can-never-be-a-means/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) [Browse all 6,032 Control quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The only thing I can control is working as hard as I possibly can to do a good job and make people right on the opportunities that they've given me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sean McVay" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working-as-hard-as-i-possibly-can-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Control" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working-as-hard-as-i-possibly-can-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/sean-mcvay-11068_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working_2128951.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/sean-mcvay-11068_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working_2128951.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/sean-mcvay-11068_control_the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working_2128951.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The only thing I can control is working as hard as I possibly can to do a good job and make people right on…” — Sean McVay", "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 McVay", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The only thing I can control...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working-as-hard-as-i-possibly-can-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/the-only-thing-i-can-control-is-working-as-hard-as-i-possibly-can-to/#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 } } ] } ```