--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not about against whom we're…" description: "\"It's not about against whom we're playing. I think it's about how we play as individuals.\" — Vijay Shankar" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e16/vijay-shankar-7310_about_it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playin_3074919.jpg" --- # It's not about against whom we're playing. I think it's… ![“It's not about against whom we're playing. I think it's about how we play as individuals.” quote by Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e16/vijay-shankar-7310_about_it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playin_3074919.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e16/vijay-shankar-7310_about_it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playin_3074919.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e16/vijay-shankar-7310_about_it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playin_3074919.jpg) > “It's not about against whom we're playing. I think it's about how we play as individuals.” [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes personal conduct over opponent identity in competition. **In simple terms:** How you play matters more than who you play against. Key Takeaway Focus on personal integrity. Themes sportsmanship individuality competition Mood determined reflective Type motivational ethical When to use this quote - team sports - solo performance - training sessions - leadership workshops Key Concepts Ethics self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain personal standards under pressure? - What habits reinforce ethical play? A Different Perspective Neglecting opponent strengths can be risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Individuals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuals/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [When I am playing well I think I play such boring tennis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-wade/when-i-am-playing-well-i-think-i-play-such-boring-tennis/) [Virginia Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-wade/) > [To me, every play counts. To me, how I play in individuals, how I play in practice, that's how I'm going to play in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grayson-allen/to-me-every-play-counts-to-me-how-i-play-in-individuals-how-i-play-in/) [Grayson Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grayson-allen/) > [Although I dig my guitar playing, I think it's kind of an obvious situation; I play what I want to play within my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-townshend/although-i-dig-my-guitar-playing-i-think-it-s-kind-of-an-obvious/) [Pete Townshend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-townshend/) > [When you are playing, it is so hard to think about what life will be like after football. I understand. When you are playing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/when-you-are-playing-it-is-so-hard-to-think-about-what-life-will-be/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [When I'm playing well, I do think I can be a dominant centre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/when-i-m-playing-well-i-do-think-i-can-be-a-dominant-centre/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [Playing four years of college, when you're playing for someone other than yourself, I think it makes it a lot more fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/playing-four-years-of-college-when-you-re-playing-for-someone-other/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I may not look it when I'm playing, but I think I'm a fun guy to hang with when I'm relaxing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duval/i-may-not-look-it-when-i-m-playing-but-i-think-i-m-a-fun-guy-to-hang/) [David Duval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duval/) > [The worst part about not playing is when you think that you are ready to do it. You try to get more minutes, taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-torres/the-worst-part-about-not-playing-is-when-you-think-that-you-are-ready/) [Fernando Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-torres/) > [I remember playing with some friends and being aware that I was acting as I was playing with them - I would think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-cruz/i-remember-playing-with-some-friends-and-being-aware-that-i-was/) [Penelope Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-cruz/) > [Anytime anyone gets passionate over a character you're playing, I think you've done your job well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-foley/anytime-anyone-gets-passionate-over-a-character-you-re-playing-i/) [Scott Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-foley/) > [Nothing is like being out there and playing and performing and winning - nothing. But to have an interest in the player? The nerves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-connors/nothing-is-like-being-out-there-and-playing-and-performing-and/) [Jimmy Connors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-connors/) > [Yeah, it's more like playing what you think is appropriate for the moment. It's not about trying to force any particular style within the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-hunter/yeah-it-s-more-like-playing-what-you-think-is-appropriate-for-the/) [Charlie Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-hunter/) > [It doesn't matter to me who I'm playing with. I think I'm going to make anybody better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-doesn-t-matter-to-me-who-i-m-playing-with-i-think-i-m-going-to/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [When I finish playing, I think I'd like to coach college baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-bonds/when-i-finish-playing-i-think-i-d-like-to-coach-college-baseball/) [Barry Bonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-bonds/) > [You know, when I'm playing, I think of myself in front of the Wailing Wall with a saxophone in my hands, and I'm davening,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-getz/you-know-when-i-m-playing-i-think-of-myself-in-front-of-the-wailing/) [Stan Getz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-getz/) ## More by Vijay Shankar > [Being part of the India 'A' team has helped me grow as an all-rounder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/being-part-of-the-india-a-team-has-helped-me-grow-as-an-all-rounder/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [When I go the nets, I always try to learn new things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/when-i-go-the-nets-i-always-try-to-learn-new-things/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [As a cricketer, you need to keep moving and learning every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/as-a-cricketer-you-need-to-keep-moving-and-learning-every-day/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [There's a difference between batting at number four position and batting in the lower order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/there-s-a-difference-between-batting-at-number-four-position-and/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [For me, what is more important is to get better and better every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/for-me-what-is-more-important-is-to-get-better-and-better-every-day/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [It is really important to keep it simple and believe in our own strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/it-is-really-important-to-keep-it-simple-and-believe-in-our-own/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [I always look to get better in all three aspects of the game. I know I can keep getting better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/i-always-look-to-get-better-in-all-three-aspects-of-the-game-i-know-i/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [I am not thinking about World Cup and all those things. You can't play freely if you start thinking like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/i-am-not-thinking-about-world-cup-and-all-those-things-you-can-t-play/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [I feel it's important for anyone to adapt; you never know what kind of situation you will walk into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/i-feel-it-s-important-for-anyone-to-adapt-you-never-know-what-kind-of/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [It's important to improve all aspects of my game so when the situation comes along, I will be ready.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/it-s-important-to-improve-all-aspects-of-my-game-so-when-the/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [I have been following World Cups since I was 11 years old. The competition inspires me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/i-have-been-following-world-cups-since-i-was-11-years-old-the/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [As long as I bat well and as long as contribute to the team's win, I will be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/as-long-as-i-bat-well-and-as-long-as-contribute-to-the-team-s-win-i/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [I have put in a lot of work on my bowling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/i-have-put-in-a-lot-of-work-on-my-bowling/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [I see each game as an opportunity to do well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/i-see-each-game-as-an-opportunity-to-do-well/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) > [It has been a long-time dream of mine to be part of the Indian team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/it-has-been-a-long-time-dream-of-mine-to-be-part-of-the-indian-team/) [Vijay Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) [Explore all 92 Vijay Shankar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [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/) Browse all 26,122 About quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's not about against whom we're playing. I think it's about how we play as individuals.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Vijay Shankar" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playing-i-think-it-s-about-how-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playing-i-think-it-s-about-how-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e16/vijay-shankar-7310_about_it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playin_3074919.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e16/vijay-shankar-7310_about_it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playin_3074919.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e16/vijay-shankar-7310_about_it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playin_3074919.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's not about against whom we're playing. I think it's about how we play as individuals.” — Vijay Shankar", "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": "Vijay Shankar", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-shankar/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's not about against whom we're...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playing-i-think-it-s-about-how-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-shankar/it-s-not-about-against-whom-we-re-playing-i-think-it-s-about-how-we/#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 } } ] } ```