Paul Simpson said the challenge of playing for contracts should be reason enough for Carlisle United to keep their foot on the pedal.
The Blues are close to securing EFL safety with six games to go.
But manager Simpson said the need to keep standards high very much remains.
And the task of doing all they can to impress still applies – for team and manager.
“Everybody’s playing for contracts,” Simpson said.
“I’m playing for a management career, they [the players] are playing for contracts – everybody is.
“There’s so much to play for. Even if we were to get three points next weekend and we were mathematically safe – I don’t know whether that’s possible – we’ve still got to go about it right and make people take notice.
“And if it’s not for Carlisle United, for me and everybody else, somebody else might take notice.”
United fans are keen for Simpson to remain beyond this season after his impressive return to the dugout.
He has overseen six wins, a draw and two defeats from his first nine games back in charge.
Simpson has also received a manager of the month nomination and is a strong contender to pick up the League Two prize for March, which will be announced on Friday.
In terms of his longer-term future, the Cumbrian last week said it was pointless discussing the matter until “grey areas” at the top of the club were resolved.
He said United’s potential was undeniable but things had to be right if he was to commit to a club for longer.
On the pitch, Simpson’s United will take on another promotion-chaser this weekend when Exeter City visit Brunton Park.
Matt Taylor’s side sit second in the table and are unbeaten in seven. They have also lost just once in 17 league games.
United, though, have fared well against high-flying sides in recent weeks, and on Saturday took a point from play-off chasing Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.
Simpson added: “We said in the hotel before the match that we had an opportunity to put another marker down [at Tranmere].
“We did it against Northampton and Bristol Rovers, we’ve done it with teams in Orient and Oldham who are at the bottom, and this was another opportunity.
“Although we didn’t get three points which I really would have liked, it’s a really important point.
“Every point’s massive at the moment. I know when I was really fortunate to be working at Championship and Premier League level, every point was massive.
“[Saturday] was massive too. League Two football is huge. We got a really big point that takes us onto next week and ready for the next one.”
READ MORE: Carlisle United's Paul Simpson shortlisted for League Two manager of the month award
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here