“The strongest influences in my life and my work are always whomever I love. Whomever I love and am with most of the time, or whomever I remember most vividly. I think that's true of everyone, don't you?”
Work takes up most of your waking hours, which is why it matters whether you find meaning in it. These quotes cover careers, hustle, burnout, passion, and the search for a balance between making a living and making a life.
“Oh, give us the man who sings at his work.”
“The strongest influences in my life and my work are always whomever I love. Whomever I love and am with most of the time, or whomever I remember most vividly. I think that's true of everyone, don't you?”
“Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.”
“People are saying that I'm an alcoholic, and that's not true, because I only drink when I work, and I'm a workaholic.”
“Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.”
“If you start to disrespect the character you're playing, or play it too much for laughs, that can work for a sketch, it will sell some gags, but it's all technique. It's like watching a juggler - you can be impressed by it, but it's not going to touch you in any way.”
“I am only an average man but, by George, I work harder at it than the average man.”
“Every person born into this world their work is born with them.”
“Reform is not pleasant, but grievous no person can reform themselves without suffering and hard work, how much less a nation.”
“The biggest risk I've ever taken is going on American Idol and trying to be myself. I wasn't going to try too hard to conform, and I knew that it could possibly not work out.”
“And I'm going to work as hard as I can... for cancer research and hopefully, maybe, we'll have some cures and some breakthroughs. I'd like to think I'm going to fight my brains out to be back here again next year for the Arthur Ashe recipient. I want to give it next year!”
“But I work harder now because I have so much more exposure. And actually the harder you work as a writer, the better you get at it. It's like anything else. It's a muscle you have to exercise. I write more now than ever.”
“If you start by promising what you don't even have yet, you'll lose your desire to work towards getting it.”
“All I do, really, is go to work and try to be professional, be on time and be prepared.”
“I wasn't really a work conscious type of person.”
“Choose a field that will supply sufficient remuneration to provide adequately for your companion and your children. I bear testimony that these criteria are very important in choosing your life's work.”