--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've had far more success than I ever…" description: "\"I've had far more success than I ever expected. But I do think that a lot of successful artists have an aim to be successful, even if they don't outwar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97b/jim-shaw-31101_aim_i-ve-had-far-more-success-than-i-ever-ex_2767309.jpg" --- # I've had far more success than I ever expected. But I do… ![“I've had far more success than I ever expected. But I do think that a lot of successful artists have an aim to be successful, even if they don't outwardly sound like it. I never really expected success.” quote by Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97b/jim-shaw-31101_aim_i-ve-had-far-more-success-than-i-ever-ex_2767309.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97b/jim-shaw-31101_aim_i-ve-had-far-more-success-than-i-ever-ex_2767309.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97b/jim-shaw-31101_aim_i-ve-had-far-more-success-than-i-ever-ex_2767309.jpg) > “I've had far more success than I ever expected. But I do think that a lot of successful artists have an aim to be successful, even if they don't outwardly sound like it. I never really expected success.” [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success often stems from hidden aims, not outwardly obvious goals. **In simple terms:** Success comes from hidden aims. Key Takeaway Identify and pursue your true motivations. Themes success motivation authenticity Mood thoughtful motivational Type inspirational analytical When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - artistic pursuits - personal growth Key Concepts psychology career development Questions to Reflect On - What hidden aim drives your work? - How can you align hidden motives with transparent goals? A Different Perspective Hidden motives may conflict with ethical standards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Being successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-successful/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Successful artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful-artists/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I never actually expected success, but it doesn't surprise me when it comes because I know how much work I put into what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-crowe/i-never-actually-expected-success-but-it-doesn-t-surprise-me-when-it/) [Russell Crowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-crowe/) > [Accept failure better than success. Success is expected, failure is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesser-weaver/accept-failure-better-than-success-success-is-expected-failure-is-not/) Jesser Weaver > [We must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/we-must-never-be-afraid-to-go-too-far-for-success-lies-just-beyond/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [As far as success, I have always felt that success is determined by competitiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-warner/as-far-as-success-i-have-always-felt-that-success-is-determined-by/) [Kurt Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-warner/) > [As far as from a standpoint of success, the only person who is in a position to make a claim like that sort \[for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/as-far-as-from-a-standpoint-of-success-the-only-person-who-is-in-a/) T.I > [Some of the most successful artists are the weirdest ones - look at Lady Gaga. I've done shows with her and she's amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trace-cyrus/some-of-the-most-successful-artists-are-the-weirdest-ones-look-at/) [Trace Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trace-cyrus/) > [Far from the richest rapper, but my biggest personal achievement thus far in my life has been retiring my mom early from her job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/far-from-the-richest-rapper-but-my-biggest-personal-achievement-thus/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [Success for an artist is completed work. Very successful artists complete a lot of work. It's that simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-russo/success-for-an-artist-is-completed-work-very-successful-artists/) [Paul Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-russo/) > [If you're not a successful artist it's your fault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-lefsetz/if-you-re-not-a-successful-artist-it-s-your-fault/) [Bob Lefsetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-lefsetz/) > [You have to learn how to read contracts, how to position yourself, and about marketing. That is why you find the most successful artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colm-wilkinson/you-have-to-learn-how-to-read-contracts-how-to-position-yourself-and/) [Colm Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colm-wilkinson/) > [Successful artists don't follow trends; they create them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nafessa-williams/successful-artists-don-t-follow-trends-they-create-them/) [Nafessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nafessa-williams/) > [I think that most successful artists - not always, but a lot of them, in any field - have business savvy as well and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-wayne/i-think-that-most-successful-artists-not-always-but-a-lot-of-them-in/) [Teddy Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-wayne/) > [I didn't become a commercially successful artist by design, and actually I think that commercially successful just means, if you analyse it, that a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-collins/i-didn-t-become-a-commercially-successful-artist-by-design-and/) [Phil Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-collins/) > [The art of compromise centers on the willingness to give up something in order to get something else in return. Successful artists get more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-raiffa/the-art-of-compromise-centers-on-the-willingness-to-give-up-something/) [Howard Raiffa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-raiffa/) > [There is nothing fiercer than a failed artist. The energy remains, but, having no outlet, it implodes in a great black fart of rage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/there-is-nothing-fiercer-than-a-failed-artist-the-energy-remains-but/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) ## More by Jim Shaw > [When you're younger, you go out and you're convivial because you have to be. But once you don't have to meet people anymore, what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/when-you-re-younger-you-go-out-and-you-re-convivial-because-you-have/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [There's a lot of different kinds of success. I'm so dedicated to the making of the art that the rest of my life atrophies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/there-s-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-success-i-m-so-dedicated-to-the/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [Warhol was a prime example of a schizoid person. Maybe he had Asperger's, or maybe he was just an amorous human being on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/warhol-was-a-prime-example-of-a-schizoid-person-maybe-he-had-asperger/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [If I don't have a deadline, I could fuss around with stuff for forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss-around-with-stuff-for-forever/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [There's so much art and it's gotten so flashy. In the global marketplace, having art that's shiny and has neon lights is almost what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/there-s-so-much-art-and-it-s-gotten-so-flashy-in-the-global/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [There's so many bigger things in the world. The art world is such a tiny little thing compared to wars and migration crises. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/there-s-so-many-bigger-things-in-the-world-the-art-world-is-such-a/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I realized that I wasn't naturally born to good taste. I understand what it is, but I am happy to wear bright colors. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-realized-that-i-wasn-t-naturally-born-to-good-taste-i-understand/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I feel like I have to avoid certain thrift store-isms, having been known for the thrift store paintings. It's like I have to not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-feel-like-i-have-to-avoid-certain-thrift-store-isms-having-been/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [The one thing I'm jealous of a signature-artist situation is that if you just do one thing and slight variations on it, you wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/the-one-thing-i-m-jealous-of-a-signature-artist-situation-is-that-if/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I'm getting more and more isolated as I get on in years. I think people's insanity starts to slowly take over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-m-getting-more-and-more-isolated-as-i-get-on-in-years-i-think/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I can never remember names. I'm so self-centered and have a terrible memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-can-never-remember-names-i-m-so-self-centered-and-have-a-terrible/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [They say the one thing that people who live the longest have in common is that they have a religious belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/they-say-the-one-thing-that-people-who-live-the-longest-have-in/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I feel like schizoid is a precursor to schizophrenia or manic depression. I feel like I'm manic. I have parts of schizoid, parts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-feel-like-schizoid-is-a-precursor-to-schizophrenia-or-manic/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [One thing I noticed over time is that if I got a bad review, usually the bad part of it was at the very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/one-thing-i-noticed-over-time-is-that-if-i-got-a-bad-review-usually/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I'm jealous of that time when you could afford lofts and survive on almost nothing. You can't do that anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-m-jealous-of-that-time-when-you-could-afford-lofts-and-survive-on/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) [Explore all 16 Jim Shaw quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've had far more success than I ever expected. But I do think that a lot of successful artists have an aim to be successful, even if they don't outwardly sound like it. 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