--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But you have to look at your work with an…" description: "\"But you have to look at your work with an honest critical eye. Work on the things that you need work on. Scare yourself. Surprise yourself. If you don'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/brian-michael-bendis-9912_best-things_but-you-have-to-look-at-your-work-with-a_1608159.jpg" --- # But you have to look at your work with an honest critical… ![“But you have to look at your work with an honest critical eye. Work on the things that you need work on. Scare yourself. Surprise yourself. If you don't like the way it's going, you have complete control over changing the course. That's one of the best things about doing this.” quote by Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/brian-michael-bendis-9912_best-things_but-you-have-to-look-at-your-work-with-a_1608159.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/brian-michael-bendis-9912_best-things_but-you-have-to-look-at-your-work-with-a_1608159.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/brian-michael-bendis-9912_best-things_but-you-have-to-look-at-your-work-with-a_1608159.jpg) > “But you have to look at your work with an honest critical eye. Work on the things that you need work on. Scare yourself. Surprise yourself. If you don't like the way it's going, you have complete control over changing the course. That's one of the best things about doing this.” [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑assessment and proactive change are essential for personal and professional growth. **In simple terms:** Look honestly at your work and act to improve it. Key Takeaway Take control and adjust your path. Themes self‑improvement control growth Mood determined reflective Type motivational practical When to use this quote - career development - creative projects - personal habits - team leadership Key Concepts critical self‑analysis self‑motivation Questions to Reflect On - What aspect of your work needs honest critique? - How can you create a safe space for self‑challenge? A Different Perspective Changing direction can be hindered by fear of failure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-things/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Changing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changing/) [Changing course](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changing-course/) [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Comic book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic-book/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Critical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Look Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look-work/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Need Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-work/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Scare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scare/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Work Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-honest-556329/) ## Related quotes > [Nobody is looking for work who doesn't need work. That's why we look for work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-adams/nobody-is-looking-for-work-who-doesn-t-need-work-that-s-why-we-look/) [Neal Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-adams/) > [Well, I needed the work - that's the honest answer. I haven't worked for a while, a couple of years. So I thought it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/well-i-needed-the-work-that-s-the-honest-answer-i-haven-t-worked-for/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [The nice part about being wealthy is I can do what I want to do. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/the-nice-part-about-being-wealthy-is-i-can-do-what-i-want-to-do-if-it/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [My work is to be honest. My work is to try to think clearly, then have the courage to make sure that what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/my-work-is-to-be-honest-my-work-is-to-try-to-think-clearly-then-have/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [If you are serious about your work, honest and straight-forward, you are labelled eccentric.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nana-patekar/if-you-are-serious-about-your-work-honest-and-straight-forward-you/) [Nana Patekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nana-patekar/) > [The things that have always been important: to be a good man, to try to live my life the way God would have me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/the-things-that-have-always-been-important-to-be-a-good-man-to-try-to/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [“your art is not about how many people like your work your art is about if your heart likes your work if your soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupi-kaur/your-art-is-not-about-how-many-people-like-your-work-your-art-is/) [Rupi Kaur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupi-kaur/) > [“It is better to work in an honest way. Similarly, we can build a good future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-jansen-easy-branches/it-is-better-to-work-in-an-honest-way-similarly-we-can-build-a-good/) [Jan Jansen Easy Branches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-jansen-easy-branches/) > [ I would say she \[Barbara Stanwyck\] did her job as best she could; an honest day's work for an honest day's pay - and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-wilson/i-would-say-she-barbara-stanwyck-did-her-job-as-best-she-could-an/) [Victoria Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-wilson/) > [If it's knowledge and wisdom you want, then seek out the company of those who do real work for an honest purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/if-it-s-knowledge-and-wisdom-you-want-then-seek-out-the-company-of/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [My policies are based not on some economics theory, but on things I and millions like me were brought up with: an honest day’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/my-policies-are-based-not-on-some-economics-theory-but-on-things-i/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [I've learned not to hide behind a veil of irony - to talk about my work in a more honest way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-welch/i-ve-learned-not-to-hide-behind-a-veil-of-irony-to-talk-about-my-work/) [Florence Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-welch/) > [You learn how to do good work by being honest with yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/you-learn-how-to-do-good-work-by-being-honest-with-yourself/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [All my shows are therapy, trying to navigate interesting subjects so I can work them out and to be honest and say some things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-brigstocke/all-my-shows-are-therapy-trying-to-navigate-interesting-subjects-so-i/) [Marcus Brigstocke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-brigstocke/) > [“If we are honest with honest people, it will work out well; if we are honest with dishonest people, it will not work out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-sivakumar-gowder/if-we-are-honest-with-honest-people-it-will-work-out-well-if-we-are/) [Dr Sivakumar Gowder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-sivakumar-gowder/) ## More by Brian Michael Bendis > [In the history of comics and movies and music too, it's always when things are at their bottomed-out, either creatively or financially, there's more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/in-the-history-of-comics-and-movies-and-music-too-it-s-always-when/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [I've been reading Ed Brubaker comics since the first appearance of Ed Brubaker comics and every single time he announces a new title I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/i-ve-been-reading-ed-brubaker-comics-since-the-first-appearance-of-ed/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [With every script, I write a note to my collaborator that says: 'I write full script. But see it as a guide. You take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/with-every-script-i-write-a-note-to-my-collaborator-that-says-i-write/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [Jeph (Loeb) will call me with updates, and I'll go, "Are you f--king with me?" I never saw this coming, and certainly never saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/jeph-loeb-will-call-me-with-updates-and-i-ll-go-are-you-f-king-with/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [It was a very excellent day over there at HBO/Cinemax when they bought 'Powers' . I felt like I graduated television college, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/it-was-a-very-excellent-day-over-there-at-hbo-cinemax-when-they/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [I didn't write superheroes for the first 10 years of my comic career. I was just doing fan fiction. I wasn't thinking about superheroes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/i-didn-t-write-superheroes-for-the-first-10-years-of-my-comic-career/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [ Before the TV show of Jessica Jones, the response to Miles \[Morales\] is so overwhelming, and so constant, and it's been five years now.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/before-the-tv-show-of-jessica-jones-the-response-to-miles-morales-is/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [In my mind jealousy would come with seeing people do something that makes it all look extremely easy when it's not, like artists who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/in-my-mind-jealousy-would-come-with-seeing-people-do-something-that/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [“There, there are no chicken wings”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/there-there-are-no-chicken-wings/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [“Fight today, cry tomorrow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/fight-today-cry-tomorrow/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [The books are the books, and a lot of the stuff is some version of your id or your ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/the-books-are-the-books-and-a-lot-of-the-stuff-is-some-version-of/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [ The one thing that Jessica \[Johnson\] and Miles\[Morales\] have in common is that there's a great many people in the audience who were desperate… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/the-one-thing-that-jessica-johnson-and-miles-morales-have-in-common/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [Reading Homicide by David Simon was the first time I said, "What if this was in a world of superheroes?" That was a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/reading-homicide-by-david-simon-was-the-first-time-i-said-what-if/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [“Stop thinking about the fact that the world has turned against you and the irony is you shouldn't even be here. You should have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/stop-thinking-about-the-fact-that-the-world-has-turned-against-you/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [If you loved everything you were writing, you would be deluding yourself or a complete and absolute narcissist. It's not about liking what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/if-you-loved-everything-you-were-writing-you-would-be-deluding/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) [Explore all 69 Brian Michael Bendis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) ## More Best things quotes > [I need the best things in life, that's women, thats cars. Cigars in Venice, bottle on ice, thats priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-need-the-best-things-in-life-that-s-women-thats-cars-cigars-in/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [It hurt, of course, but more often than not the best things do, I've found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/it-hurt-of-course-but-more-often-than-not-the-best-things-do-i-ve/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [The next best thing to being witty one's self, is to be able to be able to quote another's wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/the-next-best-thing-to-being-witty-one-s-self-is-to-be-able-to-be/) [Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/) > [I really believe that our past can really hold us back from growth, so the best thing that we can do is MOVE ON…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/i-really-believe-that-our-past-can-really-hold-us-back-from-growth-so/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [The best thing for you to do is shop at your local farmer's market and support the organic growers who are there. Because those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/the-best-thing-for-you-to-do-is-shop-at-your-local-farmer-s-market/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [The best thing about the term 'performance artist' is that it includes just about everything you might want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/the-best-thing-about-the-term-performance-artist-is-that-it-includes/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [The best things in life are free. Sunsets and sunrises are free. Air is free. Love is free. Death is free. The best things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-best-things-in-life-are-free-sunsets-and-sunrises-are-free-air-is/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I always wanted to be a player, but I never had the talent to make the big leagues. So I did the next best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-finley/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-player-but-i-never-had-the-talent-to-make-the/) [Charlie Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-finley/) > [I was a 36C or D, and at 5' 1'', I knew that being a small person with big boobs standing in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/i-was-a-36c-or-d-and-at-5-1-i-knew-that-being-a-small-person-with-big/) [Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/) > [Each time I stop somewhere and look out, there are more people sitting there than there were the time I came before. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-giglio/each-time-i-stop-somewhere-and-look-out-there-are-more-people-sitting/) [Louie Giglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-giglio/) > [One of the best things that happened for me as a playwright is becoming a comic-book writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-aguirre-sacasa/one-of-the-best-things-that-happened-for-me-as-a-playwright-is/) [Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-aguirre-sacasa/) > [I don't really know who I am as an actor: the best thing would be to experiment with it for the next 30 years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-barnes/i-don-t-really-know-who-i-am-as-an-actor-the-best-thing-would-be-to/) [Ben Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-barnes/) > [The best thing about time passing is the privilege of running out of it, of watching the wave of mortality break over me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-manguso/the-best-thing-about-time-passing-is-the-privilege-of-running-out-of/) [Sarah Manguso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-manguso/) > [What was the best thing before sliced bread?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/what-was-the-best-thing-before-sliced-bread/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [The best thing about waking up early is seeing the sun rise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridgit-mendler/the-best-thing-about-waking-up-early-is-seeing-the-sun-rise/) [Bridgit Mendler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridgit-mendler/) [Browse all 1,021 Best things quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-things/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But you have to look at your work with an honest critical eye. 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