--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't think the goal is, 'How big a…" description: "\"I don't think the goal is, 'How big a star did you ever become?' I think the goal is, 'Were you able to express yourself?'\" — Albert Brooks" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d0/albert-brooks-4220_able_i-don-t-think-the-goal-is-how-big-a-star_650328.jpg" --- # I don't think the goal is, 'How big a star did you ever… ![“I don't think the goal is, 'How big a star did you ever become?' I think the goal is, 'Were you able to express yourself?'” quote by Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d0/albert-brooks-4220_able_i-don-t-think-the-goal-is-how-big-a-star_650328.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d0/albert-brooks-4220_able_i-don-t-think-the-goal-is-how-big-a-star_650328.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d0/albert-brooks-4220_able_i-don-t-think-the-goal-is-how-big-a-star_650328.jpg) > “I don't think the goal is, 'How big a star did you ever become?' I think the goal is, 'Were you able to express yourself?'” [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True success is measured by authentic self‑expression, not fame or size. **In simple terms:** Success is expressing yourself. Key Takeaway Prioritize authenticity. Themes self‑expression success identity values Mood thoughtful determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - artistic work - public speaking - leadership - teaching Key Concepts creativity self‑actualization personal integrity Questions to Reflect On - What does authentic expression look like for you? - Are you compromising your voice? A Different Perspective Fame can distract from genuine growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Express yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/express-yourself/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I just love diving around in goal. Being able to do it for my country is amazing and I remind myself of it every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hart/i-just-love-diving-around-in-goal-being-able-to-do-it-for-my-country/) [Joe Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hart/) > [My goal is to be able to play wherever my team needs me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bosh/my-goal-is-to-be-able-to-play-wherever-my-team-needs-me/) [Chris Bosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bosh/) > [I was just a mini-star when we did 'Gone With the Wind.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/i-was-just-a-mini-star-when-we-did-gone-with-the-wind/) [Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/) > [If you ever meet an actor who's the child of actors, they'll never tell you that they wanted to be a star. But what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-davenport/if-you-ever-meet-an-actor-who-s-the-child-of-actors-they-ll-never/) [Jack Davenport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-davenport/) > [Back in the '80s filmmakers would freeze moments when an action star would leap or jump from a tall building just to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mukul-dev/back-in-the-80s-filmmakers-would-freeze-moments-when-an-action-star/) [Mukul Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mukul-dev/) > [My main goal, and it's a big one, is that every child has a chance to get close to music - as a right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustavo-dudamel/my-main-goal-and-it-s-a-big-one-is-that-every-child-has-a-chance-to/) [Gustavo Dudamel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustavo-dudamel/) > [Set a goal so big that if you achieved it, it would blow your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/set-a-goal-so-big-that-if-you-achieved-it-it-would-blow-your-mind/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [My goals were small. My goal was to become a big enough stand-up that I wouldn't have to do radio. I could sell out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rock/my-goals-were-small-my-goal-was-to-become-a-big-enough-stand-up-that/) [Chris Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rock/) > [Happiness is a small and unworthy goal for something as big and fancy as a whole lifetime, and should be taken in small doses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-baker/happiness-is-a-small-and-unworthy-goal-for-something-as-big-and-fancy/) [Russell Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-baker/) > [It's only when you make the process your goal that the big dream can follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/it-s-only-when-you-make-the-process-your-goal-that-the-big-dream-can-2/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [You want to set a goal that is big enough that in the process of achieveing it you become someone worth becoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/you-want-to-set-a-goal-that-is-big-enough-that-in-the-process-of/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [YOU have got to be In the game… If you want to kick a winning goal ~ Big Al Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-al-connolly/you-have-got-to-be-in-the-game-if-you-want-to-kick-a-winning-goal-big/) [Big Al Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-al-connolly/) > [When you set a goal, it's a personal thing, and that goal should be very big, hairy and audacious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bates/when-you-set-a-goal-it-s-a-personal-thing-and-that-goal-should-be/) [Tony Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bates/) > [“If you know what to do to reach your goal, it's not a big enough goal." - Bob Proctor”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/if-you-know-what-to-do-to-reach-your-goal-it-s-not-a-big-enough-goal/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“It's only when you make the process your goal that the big dream can follow. - Oprah”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-thomas-hargraves/it-s-only-when-you-make-the-process-your-goal-that-the-big-dream-can/) Fiona Thomas Hargraves ## More by Albert Brooks > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [For the most part, improvising while cameras are rolling is very difficult. 99% of people you should never ask to do that, because they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/for-the-most-part-improvising-while-cameras-are-rolling-is-very/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [Once you sign on as an actor, you know, you don't go to the editing room, you don't see how they cut, you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/once-you-sign-on-as-an-actor-you-know-you-don-t-go-to-the-editing/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [Bullfights are hugely popular because you can sit comfortably with a hot dog and possibly watch a man die. It wont be me, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/bullfights-are-hugely-popular-because-you-can-sit-comfortably-with-a/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [You know, I became a director out of necessity. I was writing comedies, and I couldn't find anybody to deliver it correctly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/you-know-i-became-a-director-out-of-necessity-i-was-writing-comedies/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [Be generous and you can be the best person who ever lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/be-generous-and-you-can-be-the-best-person-who-ever-lived/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [I think anger and laughter are very close to each other, when you think about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/i-think-anger-and-laughter-are-very-close-to-each-other-when-you/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [When you improvise on the spot, people are very reluctant to have soft moments or quiet moments or sad moments because they're trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/when-you-improvise-on-the-spot-people-are-very-reluctant-to-have-soft/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [Getting older is a lot of fun. Right up there with chewing glass or putting your hand in a blender.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/getting-older-is-a-lot-of-fun-right-up-there-with-chewing-glass-or/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [My mom was a professional. My dad and mom met each other in a movie called 'New Faces of 1937.' My mom went under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/my-mom-was-a-professional-my-dad-and-mom-met-each-other-in-a-movie/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [It's fear. Fear is like a giant fog. It sits on your brain and blocks everything. Real feeling, true happiness, real joy, they can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/it-s-fear-fear-is-like-a-giant-fog-it-sits-on-your-brain-and-blocks/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [Nobody will leave any place unless they're forced out. That's the nature of humans. Once you're there, you're there. I've never seen anybody get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/nobody-will-leave-any-place-unless-they-re-forced-out-that-s-the/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [When I die, if the word 'thong' appears in the first or second sentence of my obituary, I've screwed up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/when-i-die-if-the-word-thong-appears-in-the-first-or-second-sentence/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [Acceptance is going to a restaurant where the salad's not great, but the steak is fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/acceptance-is-going-to-a-restaurant-where-the-salad-s-not-great-but/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [Starting to drink now in preparation for New Years. No more last minute stuff like Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/starting-to-drink-now-in-preparation-for-new-years-no-more-last/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) [Explore all 114 Albert Brooks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) Greg Perry > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't think the goal is, 'How big a star did you ever become?' 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