Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
There is anxiety in achieving greatness when the surrounding environment lacks ambition or excellence.
In plain terms
It is hard to stand out when others do not try.
What can you take from it?
Strive for excellence regardless of surroundings.

Where it applies

  • workplace culture
  • creative fields
  • personal goals

Putting it to work

  • set high standards
  • seek inspiring peers
  • ignore low expectations

Questions to consider

  • What defines success to you?
  • Can you be happy in a mediocre world?

Another view

Success can be defined personally, not just by external standards.

More from Jane Wagner

  1. If you read a lot of books, you're considered well-read. But if you watch a lot of TV, you're not considered well-viewed.

    Permalink to quote #19
  2. The best mind-altering drug is truth.

    Permalink to quote #21
  3. If truth is beauty, how come no one has their hair done in the library?

    Permalink to quote #18

Related quotes

  1. Carry on any enterprise as if all future success depends on it.

    Cardinal RichelieuCardinal Richelieu quote #4
  2. I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can't be done.

    Henry FordHenry Ford quote #27
  3. Anyone whose goal is 'something higher' must expect some day to suffer vertigo.

    Milan KunderaMilan Kundera quote #28