--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When work is not going well, it's useful…" description: "\"When work is not going well, it's useful to remember that our identities stretch beyond what is on the business card, that we were people long before w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12c/alain-de-botton-221_business_when-work-is-not-going-well-it-s-useful_2242109.jpg" --- # When work is not going well, it's useful to remember that… ![“When work is not going well, it's useful to remember that our identities stretch beyond what is on the business card, that we were people long before we became workers - and will continue to be human once we have put our tools down forever.” quote by Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12c/alain-de-botton-221_business_when-work-is-not-going-well-it-s-useful_2242109.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12c/alain-de-botton-221_business_when-work-is-not-going-well-it-s-useful_2242109.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12c/alain-de-botton-221_business_when-work-is-not-going-well-it-s-useful_2242109.jpg) > “When work is not going well, it's useful to remember that our identities stretch beyond what is on the business card, that we were people long before we became workers - and will continue to be human once we have put our tools down forever.” [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our professional roles are only one facet of identity; we remain multifaceted humans beyond work. **In simple terms:** Identity goes beyond job titles. Key Takeaway Remember your broader self beyond work. Themes identity work humanity purpose Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career setbacks - personal reflection - life transitions - post‑career planning Key Concepts existentialism psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you define yourself outside your job? - What non‑work activities nurture you? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on work can still dominate self‑perception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-card/) [Identities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identities/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Workers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workers/) ## Related quotes > [I find it useful to remember, everyone lives by selling something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/i-find-it-useful-to-remember-everyone-lives-by-selling-something/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [“The business card does not fully reflect who we are. We are being judged, we feel, in a humiliating way. 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