--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We get a little further from perfection…" description: "\"We get a little further from perfection each year. I think that's called character. I think that's just how it goes.\" — Ani DiFranco" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e7/ani-difranco-813_character_we-get-a-little-further-from-perfection_203871.png" --- # We get a little further from perfection each year. I think… ![“We get a little further from perfection each year. I think that's called character. I think that's just how it goes.” quote by Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e7/ani-difranco-813_character_we-get-a-little-further-from-perfection_203871.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e7/ani-difranco-813_character_we-get-a-little-further-from-perfection_203871.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e7/ani-difranco-813_character_we-get-a-little-further-from-perfection_203871.png) > “We get a little further from perfection each year. I think that's called character. I think that's just how it goes.” [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Progress is incremental; each year we improve slightly, shaping character. **In simple terms:** Small yearly gains build character. Key Takeaway Embrace incremental growth. Themes progress character imperfection Mood hopeful realistic Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career - skill learning - habit formation - long‑term goals Key Concepts personal development resilience Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure character growth? - What small steps can you take yearly? A Different Perspective Perfection is unattainable; focus on effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [You can never say all the tricks have been done. Someone always shows you something you didn't know. Every year you think, 'Gee, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/landon-curt-noll/you-can-never-say-all-the-tricks-have-been-done-someone-always-shows/) Landon Curt Noll > [It was Friday, July 24, 1992, when I stepped on the train. Every year I think of it. I see it as my real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayaan-hirsi-ali/it-was-friday-july-24-1992-when-i-stepped-on-the-train-every-year-i/) [Ayaan Hirsi Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayaan-hirsi-ali/) > [I think people will be surprised at how fast they go next year. I do think world records will get broken next year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-peirsol/i-think-people-will-be-surprised-at-how-fast-they-go-next-year-i-do/) [Aaron Peirsol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-peirsol/) > [“Before the end of the year, I think I began learning that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/before-the-end-of-the-year-i-think-i-began-learning-that-those-who/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Last year I think I made more from my Image books than anywhere else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kirkman/last-year-i-think-i-made-more-from-my-image-books-than-anywhere-else/) [Robert Kirkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kirkman/) > [“The seeds you planted last year will grow in this year. Think hard on that when you plant again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-sorenson/the-seeds-you-planted-last-year-will-grow-in-this-year-think-hard-on/) [Toni Sorenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-sorenson/) > [I typically get around to most major cities at least once a year. I think people see that as their chance to go nuts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/girl-talk/i-typically-get-around-to-most-major-cities-at-least-once-a-year-i/) [Girl Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/girl-talk/) > [For a long time, I didn't trust the process. I would do one job, then I wouldn't work for a year. I think I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-consani/for-a-long-time-i-didn-t-trust-the-process-i-would-do-one-job-then-i/) [Alex Consani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-consani/) > [I've been a solo artist for a year now, and I think I should start thinking about the future now. Every spare time I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-filan/i-ve-been-a-solo-artist-for-a-year-now-and-i-think-i-should-start/) [Shane Filan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-filan/) > [Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong year - I think it would have been cool to be alive in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/sometimes-i-feel-like-i-was-born-in-the-wrong-year-i-think-it-would/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I think it's a great thing that players have to go to school for at least a year. I think it definitely helps you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-j-mayo/i-think-it-s-a-great-thing-that-players-have-to-go-to-school-for-at/) [O. J. Mayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-j-mayo/) > [In the '80s, I was putting out an album virtually every year, I think mostly based on fear - that if I didn't, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-yankovic/in-the-80s-i-was-putting-out-an-album-virtually-every-year-i-think/) [Al Yankovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-yankovic/) > [But, being away from Formula One for a whole year, I think it's not easy to come back into Formula One because people forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-verstappen/but-being-away-from-formula-one-for-a-whole-year-i-think-it-s-not/) [Jos Verstappen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-verstappen/) > [Every year, I think you earn the right to eat cake on your birthday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-hart/every-year-i-think-you-earn-the-right-to-eat-cake-on-your-birthday/) [Bret Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-hart/) > [We win because we hire the smartest people. We improve our products based on feedback, until they're the best. We have retreats each year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-win-because-we-hire-the-smartest-people-we-improve-our-products/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) ## More by Ani DiFranco > [I am getting nowhere with you and I can't let you go and I cant get through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/i-am-getting-nowhere-with-you-and-i-can-t-let-you-go-and-i-cant-get/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [You've decided to love me for eternity, I'm still deciding who I want to be today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/you-ve-decided-to-love-me-for-eternity-i-m-still-deciding-who-i-want/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [I'll walk the plank and I'll jump with a smile, cause if I'm gonna go down I'm gonna do it with style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/i-ll-walk-the-plank-and-i-ll-jump-with-a-smile-cause-if-i-m-gonna-go/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [Having more exposure is kind of a bittersweet thing for me, honestly, because it's nice to have a little more job security in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/having-more-exposure-is-kind-of-a-bittersweet-thing-for-me-honestly/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [I can jump ship and swim-- that the ocean will hold me, that there's got to be more than this boat I'm in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/i-can-jump-ship-and-swim-that-the-ocean-will-hold-me-that-there-s-got/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [God help you if you are an ugly girl, 'course too pretty is also your doom, 'cause everyone harbors a secret hatred for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/god-help-you-if-you-are-an-ugly-girl-course-too-pretty-is-also-your/) [Ani Difranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [I cannot name this, I cannot explain this, and I really don't want to so just call me shameless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/i-cannot-name-this-i-cannot-explain-this-and-i-really-don-t-want-to/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [Somedays the line I walk turns out to be straight - Other days the line tends to deviate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/somedays-the-line-i-walk-turns-out-to-be-straight-other-days-the-line/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [Taking me seriously is a big mistake. I certainly wouldn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/taking-me-seriously-is-a-big-mistake-i-certainly-wouldn-t/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [I am a work in progress Dressed in the fabric of a world unfolding Offering me intricate patterns of questions Rhythms that never come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/i-am-a-work-in-progress-dressed-in-the-fabric-of-a-world-unfolding/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [We have a complete void of progressive politics in this country right now. The will of the people goes ignored and unrealized. I'm searching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/we-have-a-complete-void-of-progressive-politics-in-this-country-right/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [I'm home in New Orleans!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/i-m-home-in-new-orleans/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [I don't take good pictures 'cause I have the kind of beauty that moves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/i-don-t-take-good-pictures-cause-i-have-the-kind-of-beauty-that-moves/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [The scary truth is, you have to scratch some veneer off to gauge where the moral fiber really is in certain pockets of society.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/the-scary-truth-is-you-have-to-scratch-some-veneer-off-to-gauge-where/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [Both hands... Now use both hands. Oh no, don't close your eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/both-hands-now-use-both-hands-oh-no-don-t-close-your-eyes/) [Ani Difranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) [Explore all 363 Ani DiFranco quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We get a little further from perfection each year. 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