--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was terribly ambitious: I was always…" description: "\"I was terribly ambitious: I was always thinking why wasn't I in the West End. I really wasted my whole youth.\" — Sheila Hancock" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/sheila-hancock-5465_always_i-was-terribly-ambitious-i-was-always-th_1813004.png" --- # I was terribly ambitious: I was always thinking why wasn't… ![“I was terribly ambitious: I was always thinking why wasn't I in the West End. I really wasted my whole youth.” quote by Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/sheila-hancock-5465_always_i-was-terribly-ambitious-i-was-always-th_1813004.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/sheila-hancock-5465_always_i-was-terribly-ambitious-i-was-always-th_1813004.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/sheila-hancock-5465_always_i-was-terribly-ambitious-i-was-always-th_1813004.png) > “I was terribly ambitious: I was always thinking why wasn't I in the West End. I really wasted my whole youth.” [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reflects on missed opportunities and youthful ambition focused aiming for fame in the West End, feeling regret over wasted years. **In simple terms:** She regrets not pursuing her dreams earlier. Key Takeaway Recognize and pursue your goals now. Themes regret ambition selfreflection Mood reflective melancholic Type advice personal When to use this quote - career planning - creative pursuits - personal development Key Concepts career aspirations personal growth time management Questions to Reflect On - What dream have you postponed? - How can you turn regret into action? A Different Perspective Youthful ambition can lead to later regret if not acted upon. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Ambitious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitious/) [Ambitious Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitious-thinking-2130838/) [End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end/) [Really Wasted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-wasted-2130837/) [Terribly Ambitious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terribly-ambitious-1000985/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wasted Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasted-youth-2030881/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not terribly ambitious, not terribly driven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-hardy/i-m-not-terribly-ambitious-not-terribly-driven/) [Jeremy Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-hardy/) > [I spent a lot of time in college studying theater of the absurd and Beckett and Genet, and then I spent a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-gilpin/i-spent-a-lot-of-time-in-college-studying-theater-of-the-absurd-and/) [Betty Gilpin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-gilpin/) > [I have never been terribly ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/i-have-never-been-terribly-ambitious/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [I never even dreamt of being a writer because I didn't feel allowed. When I was a child I was terribly ambitious, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelie-nothomb/i-never-even-dreamt-of-being-a-writer-because-i-didn-t-feel-allowed/) [Amelie Nothomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelie-nothomb/) > [Time goes by so fast and worry is really wasted time and energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/time-goes-by-so-fast-and-worry-is-really-wasted-time-and-energy/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [I really wasted a lot of time in my 20s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristian-nairn/i-really-wasted-a-lot-of-time-in-my-20s/) [Kristian Nairn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristian-nairn/) > [“If youth was not wasted, how could it be youth? Perhaps”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viet-thanh-nguyen/if-youth-was-not-wasted-how-could-it-be-youth-perhaps/) [Viet Thanh Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viet-thanh-nguyen/) > [“She believed in second chances, sometimes more than first chances, which were wasted on youth and indiscretion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-d-aprix-sweeney/she-believed-in-second-chances-sometimes-more-than-first-chances/) [Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-d-aprix-sweeney/) > [Uniqueness is wasted on youth. Like fine wine or a solid flossing habit, you'll be grateful for it when you're older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-crosley/uniqueness-is-wasted-on-youth-like-fine-wine-or-a-solid-flossing/) [Sloane Crosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-crosley/) > [A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meat-loaf/a-wasted-youth-is-better-by-far-than-a-wise-and-productive-old-age/) [Meat Loaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meat-loaf/) > [The wasted years ... The wasted youth ... The pretty liars ... The ugly truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-wasted-years-the-wasted-youth-the-pretty-liars-the-ugly-truth/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Getting rich is easy, staying rich is impressive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-trip/getting-rich-is-easy-staying-rich-is-impressive/) [Don Trip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-trip/) > [I almost never have a plan for myself... I'm not ambitious in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/i-almost-never-have-a-plan-for-myself-i-m-not-ambitious-in-that-way/) [Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/) > [I want my squad to be confident, ambitious. They have to believe in big things and we have to set targets internally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-howe/i-want-my-squad-to-be-confident-ambitious-they-have-to-believe-in-big/) [Eddie Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-howe/) > [I'm hungry and ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julen-lopetegui/i-m-hungry-and-ambitious/) [Julen Lopetegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julen-lopetegui/) ## More by Sheila Hancock > [I was this sort of floozy in 'The Rag Trade,' and 'Mr Digby Darling,' and 'Now, Take My Wife' - the titles say it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/i-was-this-sort-of-floozy-in-the-rag-trade-and-mr-digby-darling-and/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [You're never going to get 2,400 people a night for a play. I'm sorry, you really aren't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/you-re-never-going-to-get-2-400-people-a-night-for-a-play-i-m-sorry/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [I can't think of anybody among the greats who isn't constantly looking at themselves and feeling dissatisfied. You're greedy in this business: always wanting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/i-can-t-think-of-anybody-among-the-greats-who-isn-t-constantly/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [On 'The X Factor,' they deliberately have people on that are awful just to laugh at them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/on-the-x-factor-they-deliberately-have-people-on-that-are-awful-just/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [My new catchphrase is: 'Pull yourself together.' I've done the inner child, I've had analysis, I've decided that unless you're mentally ill and need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/my-new-catchphrase-is-pull-yourself-together-i-ve-done-the-inner/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [In the old days I'd like to have been a politician, when I think the world was more idealistic. When I was young I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/in-the-old-days-i-d-like-to-have-been-a-politician-when-i-think-the/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [There isn't a carer in the world who doesn't say, 'I hate it. My life is being ruined. I didn't see my life like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/there-isn-t-a-carer-in-the-world-who-doesn-t-say-i-hate-it-my-life-is/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [I was struck during the Brexit debate by how little discussion there was about the origins of the concept of a united Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/i-was-struck-during-the-brexit-debate-by-how-little-discussion-there/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [I have never met anybody who can change their point of view as easily as me. It's profoundly embarrassing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/i-have-never-met-anybody-who-can-change-their-point-of-view-as-easily/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [I cannot pass by seeing a child shouted at, and people dropping litter. I'm terrible for intervening. There's nothing worse than busybodies like me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/i-cannot-pass-by-seeing-a-child-shouted-at-and-people-dropping-litter/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [I don't want my daughters reading about the day I was furious with one of them and said something horrible, that I didn't mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/i-don-t-want-my-daughters-reading-about-the-day-i-was-furious-with/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [I can't do solitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/i-can-t-do-solitude/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [Mindful that it's running out, I am determined to have the time of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/mindful-that-it-s-running-out-i-am-determined-to-have-the-time-of-my/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [I can't keep my trap shut in interviews - I'm not very good at dissembling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/i-can-t-keep-my-trap-shut-in-interviews-i-m-not-very-good-at/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [There's an incredibly grand attitude towards musicals. I don't understand why my profession is so snooty about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/there-s-an-incredibly-grand-attitude-towards-musicals-i-don-t/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) [Explore all 100 Sheila Hancock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was terribly ambitious: I was always thinking why wasn't I in the West End. 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