--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My fabulous architect godfather and…" description: "\"My fabulous architect godfather and mentor told me once that striving toward a goal - or perfection - gives one focus and direction, which is a helluva..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/catherine-stock-51244_architect_my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-ment_526016.jpg" --- # My fabulous architect godfather and mentor told me once… ![“My fabulous architect godfather and mentor told me once that striving toward a goal - or perfection - gives one focus and direction, which is a helluva lot better than chasing one's tail.” quote by Catherine Stock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/catherine-stock-51244_architect_my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-ment_526016.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/catherine-stock-51244_architect_my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-ment_526016.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/catherine-stock-51244_architect_my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-ment_526016.jpg) > “My fabulous architect godfather and mentor told me once that striving toward a goal - or perfection - gives one focus and direction, which is a helluva lot better than chasing one's tail.” [Catherine Stock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-stock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pursuing a clear goal provides focus and direction, unlike aimless activity that wastes energy. **In simple terms:** Goals give focus; aimless chasing wastes time. Key Takeaway Set clear goals to stay directed. Themes goal-setting focus productivity Mood determined reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - career planning - project management - personal development - creative work Key Concepts psychology motivation efficiency Questions to Reflect On - What goal could you clarify right now? - How do you balance focus with adaptability? A Different Perspective Goals can become rigid, limiting flexibility and creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Architect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architect/) [Architecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architecture/) [Better Chasing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-chasing-920743/) [Chasing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chasing/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Fabulous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fabulous/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Focus Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus-direction-2808746/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goal Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal-perfection-2654741/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Mentor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentor/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Strive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strive/) [Striving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/striving/) [Striving Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/striving-goal-2118243/) [Tails](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tails/) ## Related quotes > [In striving towards your goal, you do not see many things that are under your nose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/in-striving-towards-your-goal-you-do-not-see-many-things-that-are/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Happiness is experienced largely in striving towards a goal, not in having attained things, because our nature is always to want to go on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/happiness-is-experienced-largely-in-striving-towards-a-goal-not-in/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [Striving toward a goal puts a more pleasing construction on our advance toward death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/striving-toward-a-goal-puts-a-more-pleasing-construction-on-our/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Saying goodbye is hard but its better than chasing after someone who isnt chasing you back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/saying-goodbye-is-hard-but-its-better-than-chasing-after-someone-who/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [Our thoughts create our reality - where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/our-thoughts-create-our-reality-where-we-put-our-focus-is-the/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [“If you expect to reach the goal of perfection, never look at the cup as being half empty, see it as being half full.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-hart/if-you-expect-to-reach-the-goal-of-perfection-never-look-at-the-cup/) [Barbara Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-hart/) > [The direction of your focus is the direction your life will move. Let yourself move toward what is good, valuable, strong and true](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-marston/the-direction-of-your-focus-is-the-direction-your-life-will-move-let/) [Ralph Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-marston/) > [I'm training all the time. My goal is perfection. But I will never reach perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/i-m-training-all-the-time-my-goal-is-perfection-but-i-will-never/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [The style of life is a unity because it has grown out of the difficulties of early life and out of the striving for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-adler/the-style-of-life-is-a-unity-because-it-has-grown-out-of-the/) [Alfred Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-adler/) > [Although we will hate and fight the machines, we will be supplanted anyway, and rightly so, for the intelligent machines to which we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/although-we-will-hate-and-fight-the-machines-we-will-be-supplanted/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [I love being able to come in every single day and work out and watch film and practice with guys who are all striving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-mahomes/i-love-being-able-to-come-in-every-single-day-and-work-out-and-watch/) [Patrick Mahomes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-mahomes/) > [Life is only meaningful when we are striving for a goal .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/life-is-only-meaningful-when-we-are-striving-for-a-goal/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [“Always remember that striving and struggling precede success, even in the dictionary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/always-remember-that-striving-and-struggling-precede-success-even-in/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [America is not static. America is striving. And sometimes, America requires critique. Jingoism is an avoidance of realism. You can simultaneously love and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-blow/america-is-not-static-america-is-striving-and-sometimes-america/) [Charles M. Blow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-blow/) > [“When you finally give up striving, you will be left with what you have been striving for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/when-you-finally-give-up-striving-you-will-be-left-with-what-you-have/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) ## More by Catherine Stock > [If one is constantly challenged, one grows. If one becomes complacent, one stultifies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/if-one-is-constantly-challenged-one-grows-if-one-becomes-complacent/) [Catherine Stock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-stock/) > [I refer to my non-productive periods as fallow times. I think they are essential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/i-refer-to-my-non-productive-periods-as-fallow-times-i-think-they-are/) [Catherine Stock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-stock/) > [The muse on my shoulder is very sensitive and does not abide claptrap of any kind... Only when I am totally immersed... absorbed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/the-muse-on-my-shoulder-is-very-sensitive-and-does-not-abide-claptrap/) [Catherine Stock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-stock/) > [My biggest fear is expending the best and most exciting energy in sketches, no matter how quickly executed. I often need to empty the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/my-biggest-fear-is-expending-the-best-and-most-exciting-energy-in/) [Catherine Stock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-stock/) > [Art is a business, like any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/art-is-a-business-like-any-other/) [Catherine Stock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-stock/) > [I am holed up in a small village where I am doing my own work and it feels great. I have a small gallery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/i-am-holed-up-in-a-small-village-where-i-am-doing-my-own-work-and-it/) [Catherine Stock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-stock/) [Explore all 7 Catherine Stock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-stock/) ## More Architect quotes > [When I am asked what I believe in, I say that I believe in architecture. Architecture is the mother of the arts. I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-meier/when-i-am-asked-what-i-believe-in-i-say-that-i-believe-in/) [Richard Meier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-meier/) > [Some architects have a preconceived notion of what a building should be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-w-fentress/some-architects-have-a-preconceived-notion-of-what-a-building-should/) [Curtis W. Fentress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-w-fentress/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-it-comes-to-getting-things-done-we-need-fewer-architects-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Architects mostly work for privileged people, people who have money and power, Power and money are invisible, so people hire us to visualize their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shigeru-ban/architects-mostly-work-for-privileged-people-people-who-have-money/) [Shigeru Ban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shigeru-ban/) > [I was the chairman of the Budget Committee and the lead architect the last time it happened in Washington, and when we did it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/i-was-the-chairman-of-the-budget-committee-and-the-lead-architect-the/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [The architect is very interesting because the architect is the commander, meaning the one who commands all the workers. The architect is also the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-architect-is-very-interesting-because-the-architect-is-the/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [The pursuit of peace resembles the building of a great cathedral. It is the work of a generation. In concept it requires a mater-architect;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/the-pursuit-of-peace-resembles-the-building-of-a-great-cathedral-it/) [Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/) > [Yes, Garnett Grey was an Architect. Were a psychoanalyst to approach him from behind, tap his shoulder, and say 'Humanity,' Garrett'd spin and respond,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-kidd/yes-garnett-grey-was-an-architect-were-a-psychoanalyst-to-approach/) [Chip Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-kidd/) > [The challenge of today's generation of architects is the environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-ross-barney/the-challenge-of-today-s-generation-of-architects-is-the-environment/) [Carol Ross Barney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-ross-barney/) > [I stand on this rostrum with a sense of deep humility and great pride - humility in the weight of those great American architects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-macarthur/i-stand-on-this-rostrum-with-a-sense-of-deep-humility-and-great-pride/) [Douglas MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-macarthur/) > [Architects in the past have tended to concentrate their attention on the building as a static object. I believe dynamics are more important: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/architects-in-the-past-have-tended-to-concentrate-their-attention-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was the chairman of the House Budget Committee and one of the chief architects the last time we balanced a budget, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/i-was-the-chairman-of-the-house-budget-committee-and-one-of-the-chief/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [No matter what an architect may be at home, he becomes a monumentalist when he comes to Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ada-louise-huxtable/no-matter-what-an-architect-may-be-at-home-he-becomes-a-monumentalist/) [Ada Louise Huxtable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ada-louise-huxtable/) > [As an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-foster/as-an-architect-you-design-for-the-present-with-an-awareness-of-the/) [Norman Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-foster/) [Browse all 836 Architect quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architect/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My fabulous architect godfather and mentor told me once that striving toward a goal - or perfection - gives one focus and direction, which is a helluva lot better than chasing one's tail.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Catherine Stock" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-mentor-told-me-once-that-striving/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Architect" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-mentor-told-me-once-that-striving/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/catherine-stock-51244_architect_my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-ment_526016.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/catherine-stock-51244_architect_my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-ment_526016.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/catherine-stock-51244_architect_my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-ment_526016.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My fabulous architect godfather and mentor told me once that striving toward a goal - or perfection - gives…” — Catherine Stock", "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": "Catherine Stock", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-stock/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My fabulous architect godfather and mentor...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-mentor-told-me-once-that-striving/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-stock/my-fabulous-architect-godfather-and-mentor-told-me-once-that-striving/#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 } } ] } ```