--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not an overnight success. I've been…" description: "\"I'm not an overnight success. I've been doing it for 12 years. It's been lovely and varied so far.\" — Benedict Cumberbatch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_lovely_i-m-not-an-overnight-success-i-ve-been-d_2231738.jpg" --- # I'm not an overnight success. I've been doing it for 12… ![“I'm not an overnight success. I've been doing it for 12 years. It's been lovely and varied so far.” quote by Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_lovely_i-m-not-an-overnight-success-i-ve-been-d_2231738.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_lovely_i-m-not-an-overnight-success-i-ve-been-d_2231738.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_lovely_i-m-not-an-overnight-success-i-ve-been-d_2231738.jpg) > “I'm not an overnight success. I've been doing it for 12 years. It's been lovely and varied so far.” [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success is a long, varied journey, not an instant event. **In simple terms:** Success takes time and variety. Key Takeaway Embrace the process. Themes perseverance career growth Mood reflective optimistic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - artistic projects - skill learning - personal development Key Concepts long-term development skill diversification Questions to Reflect On - What does "lovely and varied" mean to you? - How do you sustain motivation over years? A Different Perspective Patience may not guarantee success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [12 Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/12-years/) [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [Doing 12](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-12-2265823/) [Lovely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lovely/) [Overnight success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overnight-success/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years Lovely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-lovely-2681837/) ## Related quotes > [I was an only child for 15 years and then this lovely present, Fred, came along. It was great - it meant I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilia-fox/i-was-an-only-child-for-15-years-and-then-this-lovely-present-fred/) [Emilia Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilia-fox/) > [The hardest thing about movies is doing take 12, 13, and 14, and finding new ways to do the same lines. So the early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sayles/the-hardest-thing-about-movies-is-doing-take-12-13-and-14-and-finding/) [John Sayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sayles/) > [I've been doing this since I was 12... I don't want to act much longer; I can't do one thing my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-gosling/i-ve-been-doing-this-since-i-was-12-i-don-t-want-to-act-much-longer-i/) [Ryan Gosling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-gosling/) > [It's so funny, this thing of 'overnight success.' I've been doing this for 20 years, but yes, sure, it happened overnight!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-goldstein/it-s-so-funny-this-thing-of-overnight-success-i-ve-been-doing-this/) [Brett Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-goldstein/) > [I see film roles as lovely presents that come along now and again. I feel really lucky and say thank you very much. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gambon/i-see-film-roles-as-lovely-presents-that-come-along-now-and-again-i/) [Michael Gambon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gambon/) > [An overnight success is ten years in the making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-clancy/an-overnight-success-is-ten-years-in-the-making/) [Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-clancy/) > [The media wants overnight successes (so they have someone to tear down). Ignore them. Ignore the early adopter critics that never have enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-media-wants-overnight-successes-so-they-have-someone-to-tear-down/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“Eventually, after years of blood, sweat, and lots of tears, you become an “overnight success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-wright/eventually-after-years-of-blood-sweat-and-lots-of-tears-you-become-an/) [Christy Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-wright/) > [It takes three years to be an overnight success, sometimes more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/it-takes-three-years-to-be-an-overnight-success-sometimes-more/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Chip maker Nvidia is the new old thing, an overnight success story years in the making that is having its moment and then some.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-lashinsky/chip-maker-nvidia-is-the-new-old-thing-an-overnight-success-story/) [Adam Lashinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-lashinsky/) > [My sister was cute, she said, 'Oh my gosh, you're an overnight success.' 'Oh,' I said, 'this is the longest night.' I've been at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-jordan/my-sister-was-cute-she-said-oh-my-gosh-you-re-an-overnight-success-oh/) [Leslie Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-jordan/) > [I was being ridiculed for going to school... But, you see, I had looked hard at the other musicians and the whole show-business scene...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-byrd/i-was-being-ridiculed-for-going-to-school-but-you-see-i-had-looked/) [Donald Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-byrd/) > [I tell you all this because it's worth recognizing that there is no such thing as an overnight success. You will do well to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/i-tell-you-all-this-because-it-s-worth-recognizing-that-there-is-no/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [Getting success really quickly - overnight success - it's a bit jarring at first, for sure, to transition into that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/violet-chachki/getting-success-really-quickly-overnight-success-it-s-a-bit-jarring/) [Violet Chachki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/violet-chachki/) > [I worked 18 years to become an overnight success. Now MagicPlace.com will short circuit that process for people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-angel/i-worked-18-years-to-become-an-overnight-success-now-magicplace-com/) [Criss Angel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-angel/) ## More by Benedict Cumberbatch > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [It's the same thing, I think, whether it's breathing or meditation or yoga. And running is a great way of doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/it-s-the-same-thing-i-think-whether-it-s-breathing-or-meditation-or/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being someone who is of our sensual reality, Stephen Strange has a lifestyle, he has a sexuality, he's materialistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-someone-who-is-of-our-sensual-reality-stephen-strange-has-a/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [If you have an over-preoccupation with perception and trying to please people's expectations, then you can go mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/if-you-have-an-over-preoccupation-with-perception-and-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being on set is quite difficult, because it's so big and you've got to try and relax, which isn't easy when you know you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-on-set-is-quite-difficult-because-it-s-so-big-and-you-ve-got-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I know that might sound perverse because I played Julian Assange but, honestly, I don't think it would be fair for me to judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-know-that-might-sound-perverse-because-i-played-julian-assange-but/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Maybe it's just getting older, but I don't want to miss things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/maybe-it-s-just-getting-older-but-i-don-t-want-to-miss-things/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think playing any iconic role when you're stepping into big shoes, into the shadow of people who have come before you and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-playing-any-iconic-role-when-you-re-stepping-into-big-shoes/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ \[While voicing cartoons\] you have to lose your sanity and inhibitions and any kind of dignity and just throw yourself around a bit. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/while-voicing-cartoons-you-have-to-lose-your-sanity-and-inhibitions/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I'm not very geeky. I'm quite homespun. I would say I'm more modern rustic than gadget-orientated. I like woollen things and log fires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-m-not-very-geeky-i-m-quite-homespun-i-would-say-i-m-more-modern/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [This is an odd profession, and sometimes people get jealous, but I haven't really experienced any of that. Everyone's been really happy for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/this-is-an-odd-profession-and-sometimes-people-get-jealous-but-i/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-can-feel-infinitely-alive-curled-up-on-the-sofa-reading-a-book/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think with any characterization there's a point where you empathize, no matter how much of a deviance his or her actions may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-with-any-characterization-there-s-a-point-where-you-empathize/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [When are you ever settled enough to have kids?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/when-are-you-ever-settled-enough-to-have-kids/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [You have to sometimes just run with the problem rather than trying to solve it with hi-tech wizardry and lots of planning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/you-have-to-sometimes-just-run-with-the-problem-rather-than-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) [Explore all 281 Benedict Cumberbatch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## More Doing quotes > [I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm damn well gonna do it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geri-halliwell/i-don-t-know-what-i-m-doing-but-i-m-damn-well-gonna-do-it/) [Geri Halliwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geri-halliwell/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [If you think you're doing everything right, then you have a tendency to stand pat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stockton/if-you-think-you-re-doing-everything-right-then-you-have-a-tendency/) [John Stockton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stockton/) > [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/) > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Doing the right things is more important than doing things right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ko-wen-je/doing-the-right-things-is-more-important-than-doing-things-right/) [Ko Wen-je](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ko-wen-je/) > [I was in high school and I had an independent album out, and we kept sending that out, and I was doing shows. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-hilton/i-was-in-high-school-and-i-had-an-independent-album-out-and-we-kept/) [Tyler Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-hilton/) > [If I'm not thinking about you then I am texting you , if I am not texting you then I am on the phone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-m-not-thinking-about-you-then-i-am-texting-you-if-i-am-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [.\*. why u hate me..Bitches be doing the most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kitty/why-u-hate-me-bitches-be-doing-the-most/) [Kitty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kitty/) > [“dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-michaels/dances-with-mine-as-if-we-ve-been-doing-this-our-whole/) [Corinne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-michaels/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the dollar collapses, it's not doing it in a vacuum. If the dollar loses value, it's doing so relative to some other currency.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/when-the-dollar-collapses-it-s-not-doing-it-in-a-vacuum-if-the-dollar/) [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) > [When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/when-i-made-it-i-still-didn-t-wave-the-flag-and-say-yeah-go-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [I really can't live without my In-N-Out burgers. Honestly, I can't. 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