--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is only in your mind that you have to…" description: "\"It is only in your mind that you have to excel, at anything or everything. Of course, it would be very nice to excel at most things. Indeed, we recomme..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c7/albert-ellis-3379_accomplishment_it-is-only-in-your-mind-that-you-have-to_2964563.jpg" --- # It is only in your mind that you have to excel, at… ![“It is only in your mind that you have to excel, at anything or everything. Of course, it would be very nice to excel at most things. Indeed, we recommend that you try and do your best. But realistically, you are entitled to do the bare minimum to get by. All your accomplishments are just a bonus…” quote by Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c7/albert-ellis-3379_accomplishment_it-is-only-in-your-mind-that-you-have-to_2964563.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c7/albert-ellis-3379_accomplishment_it-is-only-in-your-mind-that-you-have-to_2964563.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c7/albert-ellis-3379_accomplishment_it-is-only-in-your-mind-that-you-have-to_2964563.jpg) > “It is only in your mind that you have to excel, at anything or everything. Of course, it would be very nice to excel at most things. Indeed, we recommend that you try and do your best. But realistically, you are entitled to do the bare minimum to get by. All your accomplishments are just a bonus, something to enjoy, not requirements. You don't have to do anything to prove that you are worthy of existing.” [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Your worth isn’t tied to performance; doing enough is acceptable. **In simple terms:** You don’t need to excel to be valuable. Key Takeaway Accept doing enough. Themes self‑acceptance realism motivation Mood thoughtful pragmatic Type psychological motivational When to use this quote - daily work - personal goals - stress management Key Concepts cognitive therapy self‑worth Questions to Reflect On - What standards truly reflect your values? - How can you balance effort and wellbeing? A Different Perspective May enable complacency or underachievement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) [Accomplishments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishments/) [Accomplishments Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishments-just-4533473/) [Bare Minimum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bare-minimum/) [Bonus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bonus/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy/) [Entitled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entitled/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Minimum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minimum/) [Minimum Accomplishments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minimum-accomplishments-4533472/) [Nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice/) [Prove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove/) [Prove Worthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove-worthy-822130/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Requirements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/requirements/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Very nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very-nice/) [Worthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worthy/) [Worthy Existing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worthy-existing-3098357/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [When we say that black lives matter, it's not because others don't: it's simply because we must affirm that we are worthy of existing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-smith/when-we-say-that-black-lives-matter-it-s-not-because-others-don-t-it/) [Clint Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-smith/) > [As for accomplishments, I just did what I had to do as things came along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/as-for-accomplishments-i-just-did-what-i-had-to-do-as-things-came/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [But it's hard for people to give you a chance until you prove to them that you're worthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hailie-deegan/but-it-s-hard-for-people-to-give-you-a-chance-until-you-prove-to-them/) [Hailie Deegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hailie-deegan/) > [He’ll have to prove it to you. Every day, he’ll have to prove he’s worthy of you. And if he doesn’t, that’s it. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/he-ll-have-to-prove-it-to-you-every-day-he-ll-have-to-prove-he-s/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [Some people may think that you're not special enough, then PROVE IT TO THEM that you're worthy enough to PROVE THEM WRONG.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-people-may-think-that-you-re-not-special-enough-then-prove-it-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You may want to prove that you're worthy of other kids or neighbors who were wealthier than you and teased you. You may want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/you-may-want-to-prove-that-you-re-worthy-of-other-kids-or-neighbors/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I tried my best to prove that I'm worthy to you but you prove me right about you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mc-vinzed/i-tried-my-best-to-prove-that-i-m-worthy-to-you-but-you-prove-me/) [Mc Vinzed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mc-vinzed/) > [What I consider a challenge is to prove that I am worthy as Journey's new vocalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnel-pineda/what-i-consider-a-challenge-is-to-prove-that-i-am-worthy-as-journey-s/) [Arnel Pineda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnel-pineda/) > [Every banker knows that if he has to prove that he is worthy of credit, however good may be his arguments, in fact his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-bagehot/every-banker-knows-that-if-he-has-to-prove-that-he-is-worthy-of/) [Walter Bagehot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-bagehot/) > [“fight for me. Prove to me that you’re worthy of all the faith I have in you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-macomber/fight-for-me-prove-to-me-that-you-re-worthy-of-all-the-faith-i-have/) [Debbie Macomber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-macomber/) > [“Some say "fear even helps like; The flight or over love reaction but to me it is your loving heart to prove to prove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-auliq-ice/some-say-fear-even-helps-like-the-flight-or-over-love-reaction-but-to/) [Oscar Auliq-Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-auliq-ice/) > [“I will do whatever it is you want me to do, but if you feel the same way I do, don’t shut me out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siobhan-davis/i-will-do-whatever-it-is-you-want-me-to-do-but-if-you-feel-the-same/) [Siobhan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siobhan-davis/) > [If you have to prove you are worthy of credit, your credit is already gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-bagehot/if-you-have-to-prove-you-are-worthy-of-credit-your-credit-is-already/) [Walter Bagehot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-bagehot/) > [How am I supposed to prove myself worthy if you don't offer the opportunity?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghib-clitso/how-am-i-supposed-to-prove-myself-worthy-if-you-don-t-offer-the/) [Raghib Clitso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghib-clitso/) > [“You’re so eager to jump into something you’ve barely begun to understand. Things don’t just get handed to you. You have to fight. Prove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-knoebel/you-re-so-eager-to-jump-into-something-you-ve-barely-begun-to/) [Candace Knoebel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-knoebel/) ## More by Albert Ellis > [The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/the-best-years-of-your-life-are-the-ones-in-which-you-decide-your/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [“REBT’s Insight No. 1 holds that you have both healthy and unhealthy emotions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/rebt-s-insight-no-1-holds-that-you-have-both-healthy-and-unhealthy/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [Failure doesn't have anything to do with your intrinsic value as a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/failure-doesn-t-have-anything-to-do-with-your-intrinsic-value-as-a/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [So I'd better stop my whining and help myself cope better with even the worst Adversities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/so-i-d-better-stop-my-whining-and-help-myself-cope-better-with-even/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [I'm one of the best-loved psychologists in the United States, but I'm also probably the most hated one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/i-m-one-of-the-best-loved-psychologists-in-the-united-states-but-i-m/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [I thought foolishly that Freudian psychoanalysis was deeper and more intensive than other, more directive forms of therapy, so I was trained in it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/i-thought-foolishly-that-freudian-psychoanalysis-was-deeper-and-more/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [I'm very happy. I like my work and I like the various aspects of it - going around the world, teaching the gospel according…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/i-m-very-happy-i-like-my-work-and-i-like-the-various-aspects-of-it/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [Let's suppose somebody abused you sexually. You still had a choice, though not a good one, about what to tell yourself about the abuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/let-s-suppose-somebody-abused-you-sexually-you-still-had-a-choice/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [People don't just get upset. They contribute to their upsetness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/people-don-t-just-get-upset-they-contribute-to-their-upsetness/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [“The concept of deservingness for one’s “sins” implies that certain acts are unquestionably under all conditions “sinful.” And this is impossible to prove.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/the-concept-of-deservingness-for-one-s-sins-implies-that-certain-acts/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [The art of love is largely the art of persistence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/the-art-of-love-is-largely-the-art-of-persistence/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [I teach people to be flexible, scientific and logical in their thinking and therefore to be less prone to brainwashing by the therapist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/i-teach-people-to-be-flexible-scientific-and-logical-in-their/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [For that again, is what all manner of religion essentially is: childish dependency. If something is irrational, that means it won't work. It's usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/for-that-again-is-what-all-manner-of-religion-essentially-is-childish/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [Thinking rationally is often different from "positive thinking," in that it is a realistic assessment of the situation, with a view towards rectifying the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/thinking-rationally-is-often-different-from-positive-thinking-in-that/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [People are terrified of other people or difficult projects because they tell themselves that they could fail or be rejected. Failure can lead to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/people-are-terrified-of-other-people-or-difficult-projects-because/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) [Explore all 132 Albert Ellis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) ## More Accomplishment quotes > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [To accomplish much you must first lose everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/to-accomplish-much-you-must-first-lose-everything/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [One of the most important rules for success is this: Every great success is the result of hundreds and thousands of small efforts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/one-of-the-most-important-rules-for-success-is-this-every-great/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [For many of us, work is the one place where we feel appreciated. The things that we long to experience at home - pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/for-many-of-us-work-is-the-one-place-where-we-feel-appreciated-the/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-aquilina/humility-is-an-elusive-virtue-the-more-we-pursue-it-and-the-more-we/) [Mike Aquilina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-aquilina/) > [I'm not always right, but I learn from my mistakes and make it a productive experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-kolhoff/i-m-not-always-right-but-i-learn-from-my-mistakes-and-make-it-a/) [Carson Kolhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-kolhoff/) > [Suffering in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/suffering-in-life-can-uncover-untold-depths-of-character-and-unknown/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-no-limit-to-the-amount-of-good-you-can-do-if-you-don-t-care/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Research is the live heart of the scientific life ... Greatness of position, respect for past accomplishments, the Nobel Prize itself -- none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-gornick/research-is-the-live-heart-of-the-scientific-life-greatness-of/) [Vivian Gornick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-gornick/) > [“One man accomplishment Is another mans failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-sargent/one-man-accomplishment-is-another-mans-failure/) [Anthony Sargent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-sargent/) > [I expected college to feel like a major accomplishment. I walked across the stage, eight months pregnant with my almost seven-year-old daughter watching in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/i-expected-college-to-feel-like-a-major-accomplishment-i-walked/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [Our purpose on this earth is not one single event, an accomplishment we can check off a list. There is no test. No passing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/our-purpose-on-this-earth-is-not-one-single-event-an-accomplishment/) [Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/) > [An untrained or uneducated Marine ... deployed to the combat zone is a bigger threat to mission accomplishment ... than the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/an-untrained-or-uneducated-marine-deployed-to-the-combat-zone-is-a/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) [Browse all 1,598 Accomplishment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is only in your mind that you have to excel, at anything or everything. Of course, it would be very nice to excel at most things. Indeed, we recommend that you try and do your best. But realistically, you are entitled to do the bare minimum to get by. 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