--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've been a professional athlete, I've…" description: "\"I've been a professional athlete, I've directed films, I've run a company with 150 employees, and nothing compares to writing a screenplay. Just the se..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc1/stacy-peralta-53355_athlete_i-ve-been-a-professional-athlete-i-ve-di_208639.jpg" --- # I've been a professional athlete, I've directed films… ![“I've been a professional athlete, I've directed films, I've run a company with 150 employees, and nothing compares to writing a screenplay. Just the second I think I know what I'm doing, the rug gets pulled out and I have no idea what I'm doing. Because there are so many problems to solve.” quote by Stacy Peralta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc1/stacy-peralta-53355_athlete_i-ve-been-a-professional-athlete-i-ve-di_208639.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc1/stacy-peralta-53355_athlete_i-ve-been-a-professional-athlete-i-ve-di_208639.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc1/stacy-peralta-53355_athlete_i-ve-been-a-professional-athlete-i-ve-di_208639.jpg) > “I've been a professional athlete, I've directed films, I've run a company with 150 employees, and nothing compares to writing a screenplay. Just the second I think I know what I'm doing, the rug gets pulled out and I have no idea what I'm doing. Because there are so many problems to solve.” [Stacy Peralta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-peralta/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing a screenplay feels chaotic and unpredictable, even for seasoned professionals, because it constantly reveals new challenges. **In simple terms:** Screenwriting is chaotic despite experience. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty and keep learning. Themes creativity uncertainty learning career Mood frustrated determined reflective Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - film directing - business leadership - sports training - writing workshops Key Concepts problem solving creative process authorial voice Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay motivated when new problems arise? - What strategies help you navigate creative uncertainty? A Different Perspective Even experts face unknowns; success requires adaptability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Employee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employee/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Professional athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professional-athlete/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Screenplay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenplay/) [Screenplays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenplays/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I always say when you write a book, you're a 'one-man band.' Whereas, when you finish a screenplay, it's just a sketch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diablo-cody/i-always-say-when-you-write-a-book-you-re-a-one-man-band-whereas-when/) [Diablo Cody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diablo-cody/) > [On the one occasion where I did try writing a screenplay, I found the rewriting just unendurable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/on-the-one-occasion-where-i-did-try-writing-a-screenplay-i-found-the/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [What I found interesting writing a screenplay as opposed to writing a novel is not the obvious thing, which is having to pare everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/what-i-found-interesting-writing-a-screenplay-as-opposed-to-writing-a/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [Writing a screenplay, I'm like, "All I'm responsible for is that final script, and I take great effort and pride in that." But once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-clowes/writing-a-screenplay-i-m-like-all-i-m-responsible-for-is-that-final/) [Daniel Clowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-clowes/) > [In LA, it's the law that you must be engaged in writing a screenplay with your hairdresser, pool boy, personal trainer, life coach, dog…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mimi-pond/in-la-it-s-the-law-that-you-must-be-engaged-in-writing-a-screenplay/) [Mimi Pond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mimi-pond/) > [When you're writing a screenplay every scene needs to change from positive to negative, or negative to positive, and constantly trying to change the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-de-jong/when-you-re-writing-a-screenplay-every-scene-needs-to-change-from/) [Sam de Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-de-jong/) > [Writing a screenplay, for me, is like juggling. It's like, how many balls can you get in the air at once? All those ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cameron/writing-a-screenplay-for-me-is-like-juggling-it-s-like-how-many-balls/) [James Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cameron/) > [When I write a screenplay - and I think this is true for a lot of people - you direct the movie. Thats what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-patrick-shanley/when-i-write-a-screenplay-and-i-think-this-is-true-for-a-lot-of/) [John Patrick Shanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-patrick-shanley/) > [In 2007, I probably wrote four screenplays in the entire year. Every three months I was writing a screenplay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikramaditya-motwane/in-2007-i-probably-wrote-four-screenplays-in-the-entire-year-every/) [Vikramaditya Motwane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikramaditya-motwane/) > [If I know what my finale is when I'm writing a screenplay, then I don't always have to chart out every scene before that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-twohy/if-i-know-what-my-finale-is-when-i-m-writing-a-screenplay-then-i-don/) [David Twohy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-twohy/) > [If you're writing a screenplay from scratch, it involves a lot of creation. In this play, I had a strong main character and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-falardeau/if-you-re-writing-a-screenplay-from-scratch-it-involves-a-lot-of/) [Philippe Falardeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-falardeau/) > [I don't think I write differently when I'm writing a screenplay, as opposed to a stage play or a teleplay. Maybe if I were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-sorkin/i-don-t-think-i-write-differently-when-i-m-writing-a-screenplay-as/) [Aaron Sorkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-sorkin/) > [If you're writing a screenplay, you need to be prepared to let go: there's a good chance the words you write aren't going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/if-you-re-writing-a-screenplay-you-need-to-be-prepared-to-let-go/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [Writing a screenplay is like climbing a mountain. When you’re climbing, all you can see is the rock in front of you and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd-field/writing-a-screenplay-is-like-climbing-a-mountain-when-you-re-climbing/) [Syd Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd-field/) > [I am co-writing a screenplay now and I'm working on the rights to another story I want to do. So I plan to produce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-washington/i-am-co-writing-a-screenplay-now-and-i-m-working-on-the-rights-to/) [Kerry Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-washington/) ## More by Stacy Peralta > [Jay Adams may not have been the world's best skater, but he was the man, the real deal, the original, the first. He is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-peralta/jay-adams-may-not-have-been-the-world-s-best-skater-but-he-was-the/) [Stacy Peralta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-peralta/) > [Watching young Afghan skaters in the film 'Skateistan' made me realize why I've spent my entire life as a skateboarder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-peralta/watching-young-afghan-skaters-in-the-film-skateistan-made-me-realize/) [Stacy Peralta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-peralta/) > [Certainly you don't want to make something that nobody sees. It's not really about success, it's about sharing something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-peralta/certainly-you-don-t-want-to-make-something-that-nobody-sees-it-s-not/) [Stacy Peralta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-peralta/) > [Going with intuition a lot of times is very lonely. You're going on hunches - a little voice in here says, "Go this way."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-peralta/going-with-intuition-a-lot-of-times-is-very-lonely-you-re-going-on/) [Stacy Peralta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-peralta/) > [What I lack in technique, I think I make up more for in intuition. I think intuition is underrated and so important in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-peralta/what-i-lack-in-technique-i-think-i-make-up-more-for-in-intuition-i/) [Stacy Peralta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-peralta/) [Explore all 6 Stacy Peralta quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-peralta/) ## More Athlete quotes > [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/) [Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/) > [I'd noticed him watching me for a year or so, especially when we'd play games where there was running or jumping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/i-d-noticed-him-watching-me-for-a-year-or-so-especially-when-we-d/) [Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [I think what bothers us about fighting sports isn't the damage to the athlete but the fact that you win by doing more harm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gottschall/i-think-what-bothers-us-about-fighting-sports-isn-t-the-damage-to-the/) [Jonathan Gottschall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gottschall/) > [Athletes at all ages are bigger and stronger than ever before. And they are being encouraged - sometimes even incentivized, as we recently learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-jain/athletes-at-all-ages-are-bigger-and-stronger-than-ever-before-and/) [Naveen Jain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-jain/) > [I think life is full of challenges and problems. I don't believe that anyone is perfect. We all make mistakes. It's not a bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-mansell/i-think-life-is-full-of-challenges-and-problems-i-don-t-believe-that/) [Nigel Mansell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-mansell/) > [I'd never been much of an athlete, due to a physical condition I'd had since birth (unathleticism). Perhaps if there were a sport centered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colson-whitehead/i-d-never-been-much-of-an-athlete-due-to-a-physical-condition-i-d-had/) [Colson Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colson-whitehead/) > [I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-didn-t-set-out-to-be-the-first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [I like to push characters to extremes so they have to make really tough decisions and there is no life more extreme than that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cleave/i-like-to-push-characters-to-extremes-so-they-have-to-make-really/) [Chris Cleave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cleave/) > [I don't want to say names, but there are certain companies I won't work with because of previous people they've worked with. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-morgan/i-don-t-want-to-say-names-but-there-are-certain-companies-i-won-t/) [Alex Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-morgan/) > [We are like highly trained athletes, who never run a race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-samuelson/we-are-like-highly-trained-athletes-who-never-run-a-race/) [Paul Samuelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-samuelson/) > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [I didn't aspire to be a good sport; 'champion' was good enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-perry/i-didn-t-aspire-to-be-a-good-sport-champion-was-good-enough-for-me/) [Fred Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-perry/) > [Treat yourself like an overweight, out of shape person and that's what you will be. Why not train and treat yourself like an athlete?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chalene-johnson/treat-yourself-like-an-overweight-out-of-shape-person-and-that-s-what/) [Chalene Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chalene-johnson/) [Browse all 2,455 Athlete quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've been a professional athlete, I've directed films, I've run a company with 150 employees, and nothing compares to writing a screenplay. Just the second I think I know what I'm doing, the rug gets pulled out and I have no idea what I'm doing. 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