--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes you have to make your own…" description: "\"Sometimes you have to make your own opportunities, and that's why I'm on TV. I wasn't going to sit around anymore, waiting for the damn phone to ring. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/bette-midler-1976_damn_sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-oppo_1510595.jpg" --- # Sometimes you have to make your own opportunities, and… ![“Sometimes you have to make your own opportunities, and that's why I'm on TV. I wasn't going to sit around anymore, waiting for the damn phone to ring. I had to create my own place - I've always done that.” quote by Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/bette-midler-1976_damn_sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-oppo_1510595.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/bette-midler-1976_damn_sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-oppo_1510595.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/bette-midler-1976_damn_sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-oppo_1510595.jpg) > “Sometimes you have to make your own opportunities, and that's why I'm on TV. I wasn't going to sit around anymore, waiting for the damn phone to ring. I had to create my own place - I've always done that.” [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creating opportunities requires proactive effort rather than waiting for chance. **In simple terms:** Take charge of your career. Key Takeaway Actively seek or build your platform. Themes career initiative self‑determination Mood motivational empowering Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - job hunting - networking events - media appearances - creative projects Key Concepts entrepreneurship personal branding opportunity creation Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to create your own platform? - How do you overcome fear of self‑promotion? A Different Perspective Not everyone can create their own stage; structural barriers exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Opportunities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunities/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phones/) ## Related quotes > [Career wise, I'm looking into different opportunities to do a TV show, but in some way that's not a goal in itself. To me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-giertz/career-wise-i-m-looking-into-different-opportunities-to-do-a-tv-show/) [Simone Giertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-giertz/) > [Wise men make more opportunities than they find.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wise-men-make-more-opportunities-than-they-find/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is not often that a man can make opportunities for himself. But he can put himself in such shape that when or if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-not-often-that-a-man-can-make-opportunities-for-himself-but-he/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon-sr/the-wise-man-will-make-more-opportunities-than-he-finds/) [Francis Bacon Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon-sr/) > [“To make 2013 (or any other)your year, keep it simple: 1) Count your blessings first 2) Whatever you did last year, Do it better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo/to-make-2013-or-any-other-your-year-keep-it-simple-1-count-your/) [Pablo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo/) > [Awise man will make more opportunities than he finds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/awise-man-will-make-more-opportunities-than-he-finds/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [“Is your home just another place of unmet expectations, to-do lists, and exhaustion? Or is your home a haven, the safest place on earth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myquillyn-smith/is-your-home-just-another-place-of-unmet-expectations-to-do-lists-and/) [Myquillyn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myquillyn-smith/) > [“But the truth is, home's an illusion. We try to create this place that's supposed to make us feel happy or safe, when in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-brockmann/but-the-truth-is-home-s-an-illusion-we-try-to-create-this-place-that/) [Suzanne Brockmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-brockmann/) > [And I don't have a God that I can create. In the place I live with the money I make. I have a God,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-harris/and-i-don-t-have-a-god-that-i-can-create-in-the-place-i-live-with-the/) [Mark Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-harris/) > [You need to create a place where young students can flesh out their business plans and further develop their research projects and then have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-philippe-courtois/you-need-to-create-a-place-where-young-students-can-flesh-out-their/) [Jean-Philippe Courtois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-philippe-courtois/) > [If you know certain places are not necessarily for you, why don't you create your own place? I often say to people 'why keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-blades/if-you-know-certain-places-are-not-necessarily-for-you-why-don-t-you/) [Jay Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-blades/) > [“We were just trying to create a place for ourselves in a world that didn’t want us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kazuo-ishiguro/we-were-just-trying-to-create-a-place-for-ourselves-in-a-world-that/) [Kazuo Ishiguro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kazuo-ishiguro/) > [I don't create from a place of me making art for art's sake, but wanting my work to actually do stuff... tangible things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamila-woods/i-don-t-create-from-a-place-of-me-making-art-for-art-s-sake-but/) [Jamila Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamila-woods/) > [I think it's really important, especially with the work space, to create a place that makes people feel creative, where they feel safe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-brent/i-think-it-s-really-important-especially-with-the-work-space-to/) [Jeremiah Brent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-brent/) > [When I'm directing films, I mostly try to create an environment on set that mimics what's in my mind as to the tone and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harmony-korine/when-i-m-directing-films-i-mostly-try-to-create-an-environment-on-set/) [Harmony Korine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harmony-korine/) ## More by Bette Midler > [If I could be granted a wish, I'd shine in your eye like a jewel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/if-i-could-be-granted-a-wish-i-d-shine-in-your-eye-like-a-jewel/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [I firmly believe that with the right footwear one can rule the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/i-firmly-believe-that-with-the-right-footwear-one-can-rule-the-world/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [You can't just have a clean public space - you also have to have people willing to use it, and something that will draw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/you-can-t-just-have-a-clean-public-space-you-also-have-to-have-people/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [I read neither good nor bad about me. I let it not even in my life, so it has no effect on me. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/i-read-neither-good-nor-bad-about-me-i-let-it-not-even-in-my-life-so/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [ If they \[at the audition\] don't like the way you sound they won't buy you anyway, ripped dress or no ripped dress, ass hanging… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/if-they-at-the-audition-don-t-like-the-way-you-sound-they-won-t-buy/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [The old forms of entertainment are not extinct. Live performances are the pinnacle. If you can something that people want to see live, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/the-old-forms-of-entertainment-are-not-extinct-live-performances-are/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/it-s-the-heart-afraid-of-breaking-that-never-learns-to-dance-it-is/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [I made a pact with myself a long time ago: Never watch anything stupider than you. It's helped me a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/i-made-a-pact-with-myself-a-long-time-ago-never-watch-anything/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [It's the one who won't be taken that cannot seem to give, and the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/it-s-the-one-who-won-t-be-taken-that-cannot-seem-to-give-and-the-soul/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [Culturally, it's very hard to change people's attitudes about public space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/culturally-it-s-very-hard-to-change-people-s-attitudes-about-public/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [As you age, feelings do diminish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/as-you-age-feelings-do-diminish/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [I decided years ago not to read stories about myself anymore. Each one is a potential minefield: Whatever it says, you're bound to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/i-decided-years-ago-not-to-read-stories-about-myself-anymore-each-one/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [Sometimes my brain goes on CD shuffle. You know, you put a bunch of CD's on and hit play and random things come out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/sometimes-my-brain-goes-on-cd-shuffle-you-know-you-put-a-bunch-of-cd/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [I come from an overly confident place. But I'm overconfident because of feelings of inferiority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/i-come-from-an-overly-confident-place-but-i-m-overconfident-because/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [My idea of superwoman is someone who scrubs her own floors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/my-idea-of-superwoman-is-someone-who-scrubs-her-own-floors/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) [Explore all 193 Bette Midler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) ## More Create quotes > [As far as Vern and I go, we have had situations where people have tried to take photographs of me and cut Vernon out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/as-far-as-vern-and-i-go-we-have-had-situations-where-people-have/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [To me, Caribbean food is about fresh, seasonal produce - using what's in season to create vibrant and great tasting food. The spicing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-harriott/to-me-caribbean-food-is-about-fresh-seasonal-produce-using-what-s-in/) [Ainsley Harriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-harriott/) > [You don't get lucky. You create lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-don-t-get-lucky-you-create-lucky/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [I'm a weirdo and an only child. That comes together to create one-woman shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seales/i-m-a-weirdo-and-an-only-child-that-comes-together-to-create-one/) [Amanda Seales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seales/) > [I'm proud to stand with U.S. Impact Team in their initiative to create harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-stanton-king/i-m-proud-to-stand-with-u-s-impact-team-in-their-initiative-to-create/) [Angela Stanton-King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-stanton-king/) > [I am not a nationalist in any way, and I hate flag waving, and I don't think much good has come out of nationalism.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stellan-skarsgard/i-am-not-a-nationalist-in-any-way-and-i-hate-flag-waving-and-i-don-t/) [Stellan Skarsgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stellan-skarsgard/) > [My favourite designers always create a strong silhouette, like McQueen and Tom Ford and Alaia. I like structured things that you can throw on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liberty-ross/my-favourite-designers-always-create-a-strong-silhouette-like-mcqueen/) [Liberty Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liberty-ross/) > [I'd take garbage, and I'd glue them together and create inventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-makosinski/i-d-take-garbage-and-i-d-glue-them-together-and-create-inventions/) [Ann Makosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-makosinski/) > [United Way works to create a safe and healthy home for everyone in our community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steward/united-way-works-to-create-a-safe-and-healthy-home-for-everyone-in/) [David Steward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steward/) > [Renewable energy could reduce emissions but also create jobs and improve public health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-polman/renewable-energy-could-reduce-emissions-but-also-create-jobs-and/) [Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-polman/) > [“If I can create something unique in the world, so can you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scifurz/if-i-can-create-something-unique-in-the-world-so-can-you/) SciFurz > [“If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/if-you-can-imagine-it-you-can-create-it-if-you-can-dream-it-you-can/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [For a long time at Blackburn and at Fulham last season, I was playing on the right wing. I've never seen myself as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-cairney/for-a-long-time-at-blackburn-and-at-fulham-last-season-i-was-playing/) [Tom Cairney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-cairney/) > [We've got to get back to a country that can get things done. And my whole career has been marching and charging at and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/we-ve-got-to-get-back-to-a-country-that-can-get-things-done-and-my/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) Browse all 5,654 Create quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes you have to make your own opportunities, and that's why I'm on TV. I wasn't going to sit around anymore, waiting for the damn phone to ring. I had to create my own place - I've always done that.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bette Midler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-opportunities-and-that-s-why-i-m/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Create" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-opportunities-and-that-s-why-i-m/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/bette-midler-1976_damn_sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-oppo_1510595.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/bette-midler-1976_damn_sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-oppo_1510595.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/bette-midler-1976_damn_sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-oppo_1510595.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sometimes you have to make your own opportunities, and that's why I'm on TV. I wasn't going to sit around…” — Bette Midler", "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": "Bette Midler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sometimes you have to make your...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-opportunities-and-that-s-why-i-m/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/sometimes-you-have-to-make-your-own-opportunities-and-that-s-why-i-m/#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 } } ] } ```