--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I enjoy acting now more than I ever have…" description: "\"I enjoy acting now more than I ever have. I've had lots of difficult times when I was younger, but that was all tied up with thwarted ambition. It's ha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/brian-cox-8883_about_i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have_181737.jpg" --- # I enjoy acting now more than I ever have. I've had lots of… ![“I enjoy acting now more than I ever have. I've had lots of difficult times when I was younger, but that was all tied up with thwarted ambition. It's hard being a young actor, because you don't realise until later that it's only ever about doing the work.” quote by Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/brian-cox-8883_about_i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have_181737.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/brian-cox-8883_about_i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have_181737.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/brian-cox-8883_about_i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have_181737.jpg) > “I enjoy acting now more than I ever have. I've had lots of difficult times when I was younger, but that was all tied up with thwarted ambition. It's hard being a young actor, because you don't realise until later that it's only ever about doing the work.” [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker finds current acting more enjoyable, recognizing past struggles stemmed from unfulfilled ambition, and learns that success hinges on focusing on the work itself. **In simple terms:** Acting now feels better; past hardships tied to blocked goals; success is about doing the work. Key Takeaway Focus on the work, not just ambition. Themes career growth resilience creativity self-awareness Mood reflective hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - young actors - career transitions - creative projects - overcoming past setbacks Key Concepts ambition fulfillment process experience Questions to Reflect On - How can you shift focus from outcome to process? - What past ambitions still influence you? A Different Perspective Ambition alone doesn't guarantee satisfaction; effort and mindset matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Difficult time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-time/) [Difficult times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-times/) [Doing The Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-the-work/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Thwarted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thwarted/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Young actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-actor/) ## Related quotes > [“So it is that in our world hopes are thwarted at every turn and the people's lot is always pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royall-tyler/so-it-is-that-in-our-world-hopes-are-thwarted-at-every-turn-and-the/) Royall Tyler > [In Henry Adams, I discovered not only the prototype of the modern thinker but also someone who is more interesting: a viper-toothed, puling, supercilious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-henry-adams-i-discovered-not-only-the-prototype-of-the-modern/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Bottom line is, you're not going to win the war against terrorism without the help of Muslims... as well as Hindus and a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-carson/bottom-line-is-you-re-not-going-to-win-the-war-against-terrorism/) [Andre Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-carson/) > [“Let every evil spirit seeking to frustrate my day and my assignment be thwarted. In the name of Jesus, amen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-trimm/let-every-evil-spirit-seeking-to-frustrate-my-day-and-my-assignment/) [Cindy Trimm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-trimm/) > [We tried our best for the longest time to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the matter, and at each step, we were thwarted by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-reno/we-tried-our-best-for-the-longest-time-to-negotiate-a-peaceful/) [Janet Reno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-reno/) > [Every thought derives from a thwarted sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/every-thought-derives-from-a-thwarted-sensation/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [So many financial dreams are thwarted by the failure to act upon good intentions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/so-many-financial-dreams-are-thwarted-by-the-failure-to-act-upon-good/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [“There were rumors that at age three Erica had thwarted a trio of bank robbers with only a juice box and a Slinky.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-gibbs/there-were-rumors-that-at-age-three-erica-had-thwarted-a-trio-of-bank/) [Stuart Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-gibbs/) > [Enemies are dispirited when they see you happy. They know their purpose can be thwarted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shriya-saran/enemies-are-dispirited-when-they-see-you-happy-they-know-their/) [Shriya Saran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shriya-saran/) > [The unconscious can become destructive if it is disregarded and thwarted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-unconscious-can-become-destructive-if-it-is-disregarded-and/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [When you are thwarted, it is your own attitude that is out of order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meister-eckhart/when-you-are-thwarted-it-is-your-own-attitude-that-is-out-of-order/) [Meister Eckhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meister-eckhart/) > [“She didn‟t like to be thwarted, and she certainly did not enjoy admitting that she might not be able to arrange her world—and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/she-didn-t-like-to-be-thwarted-and-she-certainly-did-not-enjoy/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [Western countries are thoroughly accustomed to being the centre of global attention, which they have come to regard as their natural birthright. Not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-jacques/western-countries-are-thoroughly-accustomed-to-being-the-centre-of/) [Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/) > [Once again, I've been thwarted by the massive difference between my vision of the successful me and the me I'm currently stuck with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-graham/once-again-i-ve-been-thwarted-by-the-massive-difference-between-my/) [Lauren Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-graham/) > [“In truth, the degree of anyone's succes depends on how often they can say the word 'yes' and hear the word 'no.' Those many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/in-truth-the-degree-of-anyone-s-succes-depends-on-how-often-they-can/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) ## More by Brian Cox > [You dig deeper and it gets more and more complicated, and you get confused, and it's tricky and it's hard, but... It is beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/you-dig-deeper-and-it-gets-more-and-more-complicated-and-you-get/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I didn't have this feeling that I should be a leading actor in the cinema. And I wouldn't want the responsibility of the opening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-didn-t-have-this-feeling-that-i-should-be-a-leading-actor-in-the/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/the-correct-statement-of-individual-rights-is-that-everyone-has-the/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I was living in London and I thought, 'There's nothing here for me anymore.' I don't want to become this actor who's going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-was-living-in-london-and-i-thought-there-s-nothing-here-for-me/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [The problem is that the U.K. in essence is a feudal society. It's everyone in their place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/the-problem-is-that-the-u-k-in-essence-is-a-feudal-society-it-s/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [Deeper understanding confers that most precious thing - wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/deeper-understanding-confers-that-most-precious-thing-wonder/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [“Later, we shall see that if it were possible to exceed the speed of light, we could construct time machines capable of transporting us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/later-we-shall-see-that-if-it-were-possible-to-exceed-the-speed-of/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [It would be wonderful if ideas could be the new rock 'n roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/it-would-be-wonderful-if-ideas-could-be-the-new-rock-n-roll/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I've directed a couple of times in the theater, but I wouldn't make a habit of it because it's too consuming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-ve-directed-a-couple-of-times-in-the-theater-but-i-wouldn-t-make-a/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [“I'm comfortable with the unknown -- that's the point of science. There are places out there, billions of places out there, that we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-m-comfortable-with-the-unknown-that-s-the-point-of-science-there/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [The story of the universe finally comes to an end. For the first time in its life, the universe will be permanent and unchanging.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/the-story-of-the-universe-finally-comes-to-an-end-for-the-first-time/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I did a film in which Andy Garcia and Michael Keaton both played the leads, 'Desperate Measures,' and interestingly enough it was their biggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-did-a-film-in-which-andy-garcia-and-michael-keaton-both-played-the/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [Science is too important not to be a part of popular culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/science-is-too-important-not-to-be-a-part-of-popular-culture/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I always think I look like the Elephant Man - I can't get used to my own image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-always-think-i-look-like-the-elephant-man-i-can-t-get-used-to-my/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [The hardest thing to do in movies is be a day-part player. You have to go in, make your mark, and get out. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/the-hardest-thing-to-do-in-movies-is-be-a-day-part-player-you-have-to/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) [Explore all 77 Brian Cox quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) Browse all 26,122 About quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I enjoy acting now more than I ever have. I've had lots of difficult times when I was younger, but that was all tied up with thwarted ambition. It's hard being a young actor, because you don't realise until later that it's only ever about doing the work.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brian Cox" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have-i-ve-had-lots-of-difficult/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have-i-ve-had-lots-of-difficult/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/brian-cox-8883_about_i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have_181737.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/brian-cox-8883_about_i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have_181737.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/brian-cox-8883_about_i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have_181737.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I enjoy acting now more than I ever have. I've had lots of difficult times when I was younger, but that was…” — Brian Cox", "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": "Brian Cox", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I enjoy acting now more than...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have-i-ve-had-lots-of-difficult/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have-i-ve-had-lots-of-difficult/#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 } } ] } ```