---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Steve Davis has found a way of competing…"
description: "\"Steve Davis has found a way of competing to a level that is not as high as it once was, enjoying his wins, and not getting too angry about the defeats...."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81a/stephen-hendry-5581_angry_steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing_2135257.jpg"
---

#  Steve Davis has found a way of competing to a level that…

![“Steve Davis has found a way of competing to a level that is not as high as it once was, enjoying his wins, and not getting too angry about the defeats.” quote by Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81a/stephen-hendry-5581_angry_steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing_2135257.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81a/stephen-hendry-5581_angry_steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing_2135257.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81a/stephen-hendry-5581_angry_steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing_2135257.jpg)

> “Steve Davis has found a way of competing to a level that is not as high as it once was, enjoying his wins, and not getting too angry about the defeats.”

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

## About This Quote

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

Competing with realistic expectations, enjoying successes, and staying calm after losses leads to sustainable performance and personal satisfaction.

**In simple terms:** Play with realistic goals, enjoy wins, stay calm after losses.

Key Takeaway

Set realistic goals, enjoy wins, stay calm.

Themes

competition mindset resilience

Mood

focused optimistic

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- tournaments
- daily practice
- team events

Key Concepts

goal setting emotional regulation sports psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What strategies help you stay calm after defeat?
- How do you measure success beyond wins?

A Different Perspective

Over‑optimism can cause burnout if expectations are too high.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Angry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry/) [Competing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competing/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/)

## Related quotes

> [If we're playing and competing at the level we want to and we know we can, then nothing else is really going to matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-sweat/if-we-re-playing-and-competing-at-the-level-we-want-to-and-we-know-we/)

[Brooke Sweat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-sweat/)

> [We want to get to the same sort of level as Man City doing it our own way and be competing for all competitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ramsdale/we-want-to-get-to-the-same-sort-of-level-as-man-city-doing-it-our-own/)

[Aaron Ramsdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ramsdale/)

> [We definitely don't want to get in others' way while we're competing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-carter/we-definitely-don-t-want-to-get-in-others-way-while-we-re-competing/)

[Michelle Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-carter/)

> [“But one way or another competing and weeding takes place . . . or a race goes downhill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/but-one-way-or-another-competing-and-weeding-takes-place-or-a-race/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [I tried hard to create my own records when a lot of them belonged to Steve Davis, so to see someone else beat yours,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-tried-hard-to-create-my-own-records-when-a-lot-of-them-belonged-to/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [I'm competing with everyone, but it's okay because they're not aware. I can't shut that impulse off. And I'm glad, because that impulse keeps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/i-m-competing-with-everyone-but-it-s-okay-because-they-re-not-aware-i/)

[Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/)

> [I've never felt overmatched on the baseball field. I've always been a very strong, dominant position. And I felt that if I did my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-rodriguez/i-ve-never-felt-overmatched-on-the-baseball-field-i-ve-always-been-a/)

[Alex Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-rodriguez/)

> [Don't get me wrong, I always wanted to win, but, after we'd won and won and won, it became more about not wanting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mack-brown/don-t-get-me-wrong-i-always-wanted-to-win-but-after-we-d-won-and-won/)

[Mack Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mack-brown/)

> [When I see Steve Davis I see two letters... C S... Cue Sorceror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sid-waddell/when-i-see-steve-davis-i-see-two-letters-c-s-cue-sorceror/)

[Sid Waddell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sid-waddell/)

> [We want to get to the same sort of level as Manchester City, doing it our own way and competing in four competitions like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ramsdale/we-want-to-get-to-the-same-sort-of-level-as-manchester-city-doing-it/)

[Aaron Ramsdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ramsdale/)

> [Not only did I have to face the great Steve Davis for 10 years, Stephen Hendry came along, who attacked the balls. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/not-only-did-i-have-to-face-the-great-steve-davis-for-10-years/)

[Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/)

> [That period in the late Eighties and early Nineties was when I was playing my best snooker. My trouble was that I had so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/that-period-in-the-late-eighties-and-early-nineties-was-when-i-was/)

[Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/)

> [Just competing with top-level guys day in and day out and going through the grind with those guys brings you to another level of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-elkins/just-competing-with-top-level-guys-day-in-and-day-out-and-going/)

[Darren Elkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-elkins/)

> [I've been competing at a top level and everything in wrestling since I was young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-elkins/i-ve-been-competing-at-a-top-level-and-everything-in-wrestling-since/)

[Darren Elkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-elkins/)

> [Training and competing at the top level are the all-consuming parts of an athlete's life: a conveyor belt with the continuous goal of proving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanni-grey-thompson/training-and-competing-at-the-top-level-are-the-all-consuming-parts/)

[Tanni Grey-Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanni-grey-thompson/)

## More by Stephen Hendry

> [When you have a big lead, you relax and don't concentrate as much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-you-have-a-big-lead-you-relax-and-don-t-concentrate-as-much/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [I always loved playing in front of big audiences; now I'm jittery if one person is in the room watching me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-always-loved-playing-in-front-of-big-audiences-now-i-m-jittery-if/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [When I'm practising on my own, my game feels great, but there's a big difference between practising on your own and playing against people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-i-m-practising-on-my-own-my-game-feels-great-but-there-s-a-big/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [Ever since I was a kid, I'd imagine that I was making a break to win the world championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/ever-since-i-was-a-kid-i-d-imagine-that-i-was-making-a-break-to-win/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [Maybe I wish I could be out there on the big occasions playing like I did at my peak, but I certainly don't miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/maybe-i-wish-i-could-be-out-there-on-the-big-occasions-playing-like-i/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [I like cookery programmes: Anthony Bourdain going around the world eating stuff; Rick Stein - he's another favourite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-like-cookery-programmes-anthony-bourdain-going-around-the-world/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [The memories for the missed opportunities are stronger than for the ones I managed to get over the line in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/the-memories-for-the-missed-opportunities-are-stronger-than-for-the/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [When you get a trophy, why go jumping and crying? Winning's a great feeling, but everything else is an anti-climax.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-you-get-a-trophy-why-go-jumping-and-crying-winning-s-a-great/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [I remember far more shots that cost me matches than the ones that won me matches. That is maybe the way you think if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-remember-far-more-shots-that-cost-me-matches-than-the-ones-that-won/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [There are some people who never get used to losing at anything, and I am probably one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/there-are-some-people-who-never-get-used-to-losing-at-anything-and-i/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [It is quite surreal when you go to places up the north, like Inner Mongolia, and you are getting mobbed at the airport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/it-is-quite-surreal-when-you-go-to-places-up-the-north-like-inner/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [I put on the tuxedo, and it's like putting on overalls - they're my work clothes. Then I go to work. I'm relaxed. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-put-on-the-tuxedo-and-it-s-like-putting-on-overalls-they-re-my-work/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [In any sport at the top level, if you don't put in the hard work, you can be sure someone else is. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/in-any-sport-at-the-top-level-if-you-don-t-put-in-the-hard-work-you/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [It is just down to confidence. When I haven't got any, I hate playing the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/it-is-just-down-to-confidence-when-i-haven-t-got-any-i-hate-playing/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

> [I find it very difficult when, due to a lack of confidence, I don't produce and lose matches I could have won.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-find-it-very-difficult-when-due-to-a-lack-of-confidence-i-don-t/)

[Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

[Explore all 100 Stephen Hendry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/)

## More Angry quotes

> [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/)

[N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/)

> [There's only so much for a man to take...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-gilchrist/there-s-only-so-much-for-a-man-to-take/)

Kirsten Gilchrist

> [It is afraid of an informed, angry public demanding the constitutional government it was promised - and it should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/it-is-afraid-of-an-informed-angry-public-demanding-the-constitutional/)

[Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/)

> [“When you feel terribly angry, you're possessed by anger ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-feel-terribly-angry-you-re-possessed-by-anger-ghost/)

[Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/)

> [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/)

[David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/)

> [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/)

> [When you're frustrated with people, when they've made you angry, it just may be because you haven't given them enough time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/when-you-re-frustrated-with-people-when-they-ve-made-you-angry-it/)

[Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/)

> [When I was writing 'Black Panther,' on one level, I was angry because DC would never let me write 'Batman,' so I was doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-priest/when-i-was-writing-black-panther-on-one-level-i-was-angry-because-dc/)

[Christopher Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-priest/)

> [Another step had her backed up against the wall, and he braced his arms on both sides of her. "I'm beginning to look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-lindsey/another-step-had-her-backed-up-against-the-wall-and-he-braced-his/)

[Johanna Lindsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-lindsey/)

> [I'm an angry guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gandolfini/i-m-an-angry-guy/)

[James Gandolfini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gandolfini/)

> [Apparently, I'm the angriest man. I don't know. It's just an interpretation. If it was someone else, they might be called focused or competitive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alun-wyn-jones/apparently-i-m-the-angriest-man-i-don-t-know-it-s-just-an/)

[Alun Wyn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alun-wyn-jones/)

> [In the 1998 Oscars, I found myself in the bathroom in a stall, next to Tom Selleck. So I leaned over and I said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/in-the-1998-oscars-i-found-myself-in-the-bathroom-in-a-stall-next-to/)

[Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/)

> [Of course I get angry, but I want to use my brain a little bit and not just smash things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kacey-musgraves/of-course-i-get-angry-but-i-want-to-use-my-brain-a-little-bit-and-not/)

[Kacey Musgraves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kacey-musgraves/)

> [“Rather than being incensed by the nature of the bruise, maybe we should be inspired by the possibilities in the bruise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/rather-than-being-incensed-by-the-nature-of-the-bruise-maybe-we/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

[Browse all 3,857 Angry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Steve Davis has found a way of competing to a level that is not as high as it once was, enjoying his wins, and not getting too angry about the defeats.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Stephen Hendry"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing-to-a-level-that-is-not-as/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Angry"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing-to-a-level-that-is-not-as/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81a/stephen-hendry-5581_angry_steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing_2135257.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81a/stephen-hendry-5581_angry_steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing_2135257.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81a/stephen-hendry-5581_angry_steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing_2135257.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Steve Davis has found a way of competing to a level that is not as high as it once was, enjoying his wins…” — Stephen Hendry",
                "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": "Stephen Hendry",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Steve Davis has found a way...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing-to-a-level-that-is-not-as/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/steve-davis-has-found-a-way-of-competing-to-a-level-that-is-not-as/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
