--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I gave up years ago on the concept that…" description: "\"I gave up years ago on the concept that you could actually have balance in your life, I think it's a phantom chase.\" — Barbara Corcoran" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/barbara-corcoran-4101_balance_i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that_1425273.png" --- # I gave up years ago on the concept that you could actually… ![“I gave up years ago on the concept that you could actually have balance in your life, I think it's a phantom chase.” quote by Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/barbara-corcoran-4101_balance_i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that_1425273.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/barbara-corcoran-4101_balance_i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that_1425273.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/barbara-corcoran-4101_balance_i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that_1425273.png) > “I gave up years ago on the concept that you could actually have balance in your life, I think it's a phantom chase.” [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing life is an illusion; chasing it often leads to frustration. **In simple terms:** Perfect balance is a myth. Key Takeaway Prioritize what matters most. Themes life balance success myth productivity entrepreneurship Mood practical motivational Type business self‑help When to use this quote - time management - goal setting - self‑care Key Concepts illusion expectation management well‑being Questions to Reflect On - What does a balanced day look like for you? - How can you accept imperfection? A Different Perspective Balance may be unattainable for some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actually Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actually-balance-506521/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Balance Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance-life/) [Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chase/) [Gave up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave-up/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Phantom Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phantom-chase-2193558/) [Phantoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phantoms/) [Think Phantom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-phantom-3955362/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [Travel, which had once charmed him, seemed, at length, unendurable, a business of color without substance, a phantom chase after his own dream's shadow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/travel-which-had-once-charmed-him-seemed-at-length-unendurable-a/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [Even when I rehearse down in the bowels of the Metropolitan Opera, you can't help but think why The Phantom of the Opera was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-stroman/even-when-i-rehearse-down-in-the-bowels-of-the-metropolitan-opera-you/) [Susan Stroman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-stroman/) > [If you want someone to tell you what to think," the phantom answered briskly, without looking up, "you will never be short of people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/if-you-want-someone-to-tell-you-what-to-think-the-phantom-answered/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [Bitcoin actually has the balance and incentives right, and that is why it is starting to take off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/bitcoin-actually-has-the-balance-and-incentives-right-and-that-is-why/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [“If you want someone to tell you what to think," the phantom answered briskly, without looking up, "you will never be short of people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/if-you-want-someone-to-tell-you-what-to-think-the-phantom-answered-2/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [The balance to life is kale cakes and cupcakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe/the-balance-to-life-is-kale-cakes-and-cupcakes/) [Joe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe/) > [I firmly believe everyone needs to have balance in their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-firmly-believe-everyone-needs-to-have-balance-in-their-life/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [“I balanced all, brought all to mind, The years to come seemed waste of breath, A waste of breath the years behind In balance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-alvarez/i-balanced-all-brought-all-to-mind-the-years-to-come-seemed-waste-of/) [Al Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-alvarez/) > [I always try to balance life by thinking failure of any kind, be it relationship or any project, should not affect me as an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karan-patel/i-always-try-to-balance-life-by-thinking-failure-of-any-kind-be-it/) [Karan Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karan-patel/) > [“Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/imagine-life-is-a-game-in-which-you-are-juggling-five-balls-the-balls/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [I try to exercise regularly every day, if I can. It renews you and it gives you more balance in your life. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-try-to-exercise-regularly-every-day-if-i-can-it-renews-you-and-it/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The challenges that I face today are the same challenges we all face. Trying to balance your life between work, family, loved ones, your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-challenges-that-i-face-today-are-the-same-challenges-we-all-face/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [I always feel more grounded and stable when I have balance in my life; I'm a Libra! I'm most often surrounded by people, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-always-feel-more-grounded-and-stable-when-i-have-balance-in-my-life/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [I am not a yogi yet, but I aspire to have more balance in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baratunde-thurston/i-am-not-a-yogi-yet-but-i-aspire-to-have-more-balance-in-my-life/) [Baratunde Thurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baratunde-thurston/) > [The goal is to balance a life that works with a life that counts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-block/the-goal-is-to-balance-a-life-that-works-with-a-life-that-counts/) [Peter Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-block/) ## More by Barbara Corcoran > [I like to wake up and just feel gratitude. Gratitude for waking up, for my health, for my kids, for my family. A lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/i-like-to-wake-up-and-just-feel-gratitude-gratitude-for-waking-up-for/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [So many people are good at starts and not so good at finishing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/so-many-people-are-good-at-starts-and-not-so-good-at-finishing/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [If I could set a world record, it would be that I have 150 business partners, all with thriving businesses of their own that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/if-i-could-set-a-world-record-it-would-be-that-i-have-150-business/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [I'm never in control of my time during the workday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/i-m-never-in-control-of-my-time-during-the-workday/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [It's rumored that doing well in real estate is to be able to close a deal. I did not find that to be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/it-s-rumored-that-doing-well-in-real-estate-is-to-be-able-to-close-a/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [I have found, whether you have a tiny business or a big business, if you don't jump on something right away, it's like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/i-have-found-whether-you-have-a-tiny-business-or-a-big-business-if/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [My greatest strength as a child, I realize now, was my imagination. While every other kid was reading and writing, I had seven whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/my-greatest-strength-as-a-child-i-realize-now-was-my-imagination/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [Sex appeal is in the workplace every day of the week. I'm not saying that's the only calling card, but it's a whole crayon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/sex-appeal-is-in-the-workplace-every-day-of-the-week-i-m-not-saying/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [If you get labeled a winner, people come along for the ride. Might as well enjoy it and they should too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/if-you-get-labeled-a-winner-people-come-along-for-the-ride-might-as/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [You can't study to be an entrepreneur. Sometimes, you just have to jump.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/you-can-t-study-to-be-an-entrepreneur-sometimes-you-just-have-to-jump/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [When you're building a business, you're either all in, or you're not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/when-you-re-building-a-business-you-re-either-all-in-or-you-re-not/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [The story of my billion-dollar business starts like this. I borrowed $1,000 from a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/the-story-of-my-billion-dollar-business-starts-like-this-i-borrowed-1/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [If you want to have a creative culture, you can't get it by reading books. You get it by example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/if-you-want-to-have-a-creative-culture-you-can-t-get-it-by-reading/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [You may not like the idea of putting money into a home when you're moving out. But it's demanded by the market. You need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/you-may-not-like-the-idea-of-putting-money-into-a-home-when-you-re/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [Confidence is overrated. It's when we're uncomfortable and looking for answers that we learn and grow the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/confidence-is-overrated-it-s-when-we-re-uncomfortable-and-looking-for/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) [Explore all 116 Barbara Corcoran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) ## More Balance quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [she got a reputation for an easy smile and a sharp tongue, and using one to balance the other, she seemed friendly but distant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/she-got-a-reputation-for-an-easy-smile-and-a-sharp-tongue-and-using/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [Life's unfairness is not irrevocable; we can help balance the scales for others, if not always for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/life-s-unfairness-is-not-irrevocable-we-can-help-balance-the-scales/) [Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/) > [“We don't need to strive towards balance, we rather need to work on the obstacles that are preventing the natural flow of balance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-alebraheem/we-don-t-need-to-strive-towards-balance-we-rather-need-to-work-on-the/) [A.A. Alebraheem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-alebraheem/) > [I think that kind of balance comes with the process of growing together as a band, the Little Dragon. We love to write, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/i-think-that-kind-of-balance-comes-with-the-process-of-growing/) [Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [At times of recession, running a budget deficit is highly desirable. Once the economy begins to recover, you have to balance the budget. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/at-times-of-recession-running-a-budget-deficit-is-highly-desirable/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [Once you've gotten your money in balance, you know how much you have to spend on things that are just fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/once-you-ve-gotten-your-money-in-balance-you-know-how-much-you-have/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [I never understood how much running changes your life. I'm now obsessed. When not trying to beat my personal best, I'm talking to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/i-never-understood-how-much-running-changes-your-life-i-m-now/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [Whatever needed to be done, I need to know how to do it just as well as my wife. You know, for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/whatever-needed-to-be-done-i-need-to-know-how-to-do-it-just-as-well/) [Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/) > [I don't think my parents would have let me go straight into acting full time when I was 12. I do like to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-don-t-think-my-parents-would-have-let-me-go-straight-into-acting/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [When it comes down to music, I have no balance. I am 100 percent. It is like full throttle. Five hundred miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/when-it-comes-down-to-music-i-have-no-balance-i-am-100-percent-it-is/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) [Browse all 5,166 Balance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I gave up years ago on the concept that you could actually have balance in your life, I think it's a phantom chase.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barbara Corcoran" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that-you-could-actually-have/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Balance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that-you-could-actually-have/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/barbara-corcoran-4101_balance_i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that_1425273.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/barbara-corcoran-4101_balance_i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that_1425273.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/barbara-corcoran-4101_balance_i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that_1425273.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I gave up years ago on the concept that you could actually have balance in your life, I think it's a phantom…” — Barbara Corcoran", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Barbara Corcoran", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I gave up years ago on...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that-you-could-actually-have/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/i-gave-up-years-ago-on-the-concept-that-you-could-actually-have/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```