--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I choose things that challenge me. I was…" description: "\"I choose things that challenge me. I was afraid of the camera - that's why I chose to do 'Private Practice.' It's not like I left the theater.\" — Audra..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/audra-mcdonald-9650_afraid_i-choose-things-that-challenge-me-i-was_294745.jpg" --- # I choose things that challenge me. I was afraid of the… ![“I choose things that challenge me. I was afraid of the camera - that's why I chose to do 'Private Practice.' It's not like I left the theater.” quote by Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/audra-mcdonald-9650_afraid_i-choose-things-that-challenge-me-i-was_294745.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/audra-mcdonald-9650_afraid_i-choose-things-that-challenge-me-i-was_294745.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/audra-mcdonald-9650_afraid_i-choose-things-that-challenge-me-i-was_294745.jpg) > “I choose things that challenge me. I was afraid of the camera - that's why I chose to do 'Private Practice.' It's not like I left the theater.” [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She seeks growth by deliberately choosing challenging projects, confronting past fears to expand her craft. **In simple terms:** She chooses hard work to grow. Key Takeaway Embrace discomfort to develop talent. Themes growth fear challenge career self‑discovery Mood determined reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - audition prep - new role selection - public speaking - creative workshops Key Concepts risk‑taking personal development artistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - What fear could you face today? - How does challenge shape your identity? A Different Perspective Choosing challenges can lead to burnout if not balanced with rest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Camera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/camera/) [Challenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenge/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [The '80s were a time of technical wonder in filmmaking; unfortunately, some colleges didn't integrate their film and theater departments - so you had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/the-80s-were-a-time-of-technical-wonder-in-filmmaking-unfortunately/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I loved my time doing 'Private Practice' in Los Angeles, and I was quite challenged and excited to learn about the art of television,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-loved-my-time-doing-private-practice-in-los-angeles-and-i-was-quite/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [Everyone is really afraid of getting out there and not being good. That's the challenge: To be afraid and know people are staring at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-mullins/everyone-is-really-afraid-of-getting-out-there-and-not-being-good/) [Aimee Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-mullins/) > [I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadia-comaneci/i-don-t-run-away-from-a-challenge-because-i-am-afraid-instead-i-run-2/) [Nadia Comaneci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadia-comaneci/) > [“I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run towards it because the only way to escape fear is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadia-comaneci/i-don-t-run-away-from-a-challenge-because-i-am-afraid-instead-i-run/) [Nadia Comaneci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadia-comaneci/) > [Scared souls never ask themselves that how can you win the challenge if you are afraid of starting it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/scared-souls-never-ask-themselves-that-how-can-you-win-the-challenge/) Senoraroy > [The work I have done in private practice has been assisting companies and organizations to work with an incredibly complex federal government. I'm proud…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jolly/the-work-i-have-done-in-private-practice-has-been-assisting-companies/) [David Jolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jolly/) > [Private practice and marriage - those twin extinguishers of science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broca/private-practice-and-marriage-those-twin-extinguishers-of-science/) [Paul Broca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broca/) > [Soon after I returned to private practice, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger called me one day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-f-fielding/soon-after-i-returned-to-private-practice-former-supreme-court-chief/) [Fred F. Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-f-fielding/) > [I'll be directing some more 'Private Practice' episodes when we wrap 'Caprica.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-ll-be-directing-some-more-private-practice-episodes-when-we-wrap/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I have a wealth of experience, not only as a senior executive in different departments in the city, but I've also, in my private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-lightfoot/i-have-a-wealth-of-experience-not-only-as-a-senior-executive-in/) [Lori Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-lightfoot/) > [He said that private practice in medicine ought to be put down by law. When I asked him why, he said that private doctors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/he-said-that-private-practice-in-medicine-ought-to-be-put-down-by-law/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“Why did Fred Hugi, a private man, a loner, choose to be a courtroom lawyer in the first place? He detested publicity. Unlike many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-rule/why-did-fred-hugi-a-private-man-a-loner-choose-to-be-a-courtroom/) [Ann Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-rule/) > [I just decided to take some time off. I've been modeling since '93, '92, and that's a pretty long time. I'm a single mother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-murphy/i-just-decided-to-take-some-time-off-i-ve-been-modeling-since-93-92/) [Carolyn Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-murphy/) > [“None of us can chose where we will love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-kay/none-of-us-can-chose-where-we-will-love/) [Susan Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-kay/) ## More by Audra McDonald > [Anytime I get the chance to sing or work with Michael John, it is such an incredibly fertile and incredibly creative and safe and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/anytime-i-get-the-chance-to-sing-or-work-with-michael-john-it-is-such/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [One thing that is constantly on my iPod is India Arie - I like her a lot; I listen to her a lot. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/one-thing-that-is-constantly-on-my-ipod-is-india-arie-i-like-her-a/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [And I found the theater, and I found my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/and-i-found-the-theater-and-i-found-my-home/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I was a little girl with a pot belly and Afro puffs, hyperactive and overdramatic, and I found the theater and I found my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-was-a-little-girl-with-a-pot-belly-and-afro-puffs-hyperactive-and/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I find that I'm just drawn to anything that's going to challenge me as an actress. So, anything that's going to help me grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-find-that-i-m-just-drawn-to-anything-that-s-going-to-challenge-me/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [When you become a parent, it blows you open in ways that you never thought possible in terms of a level of love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/when-you-become-a-parent-it-blows-you-open-in-ways-that-you-never/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [Without theater, I don't think I would have thought I was a smart person or excelled at anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/without-theater-i-don-t-think-i-would-have-thought-i-was-a-smart/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I feel a connection to many songs that I won't sing because I don't think they are right for me! There is something in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-feel-a-connection-to-many-songs-that-i-won-t-sing-because-i-don-t/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I've spent my whole career trying to stay out of any box that anyone could put me in. 'I'm going to do a play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-ve-spent-my-whole-career-trying-to-stay-out-of-any-box-that-anyone/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I auditioned for Julliard because I wanted to live in New York, and I wanted to be on Broadway at the time. Julliard seemed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-auditioned-for-julliard-because-i-wanted-to-live-in-new-york-and-i/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I used to practice Tony speeches in my bathroom with my hairbrush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-used-to-practice-tony-speeches-in-my-bathroom-with-my-hairbrush/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I think in the end there is one ultimate goal with all my careers, and that is, as a performing artist, you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-think-in-the-end-there-is-one-ultimate-goal-with-all-my-careers-and/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I guess what I know now that I definitely didn't know as a child, is that being truest to yourself is the greatest weapon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-guess-what-i-know-now-that-i-definitely-didn-t-know-as-a-child-is/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [Every human being has a dream. I think what's special about the American Dream is that it implies, given everything that's happened with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/every-human-being-has-a-dream-i-think-what-s-special-about-the/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [There's a lot of traps you can fall into when you are playing someone who existed. If it comes out just as impersonation, that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/there-s-a-lot-of-traps-you-can-fall-into-when-you-are-playing-someone/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) [Explore all 71 Audra McDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I choose things that challenge me. 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