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Even as a kid in drawing class, I had real ambition. I…

“Even as a kid in drawing class, I had real ambition. I wanted to be the best in the class, but there was always some other feller who was better; so I thought, It cant be about being the best, it has to be about the drawing itself, what you do with it. Thats kind of stuck with me.” quote by Damien Hirst
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“Even as a kid in drawing class, I had real ambition. I wanted to be the best in the class, but there was always some other feller who was better; so I thought, It cant be about being the best, it has to be about the drawing itself, what you do with it. Thats kind of stuck with me.”

Damien Hirst

About This Quote

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

Shift focus from competition to the intrinsic value of the activity itself.

In simple terms: Value the process, not the ranking.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize the act of creation.

Themes

creativity self‑improvement intrinsic motivation

Mood

reflective inspired

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • art class
  • personal projects
  • skill development
  • teaching art

Key Concepts

artistic integrity mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does focusing on process change your satisfaction?
  • What habits help you stay present in creative work?
A Different Perspective

Competition can still distract from learning.

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