--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In terms of work, I never felt that I've…" description: "\"In terms of work, I never felt that I've done it right. I always want to have done it differently, to have done it better, a different way.\" — Joan Didion" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c01/joan-didion-497_different_in-terms-of-work-i-never-felt-that-i-ve_2494749.jpg" --- # In terms of work, I never felt that I've done it right. I… ![“In terms of work, I never felt that I've done it right. I always want to have done it differently, to have done it better, a different way.” quote by Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c01/joan-didion-497_different_in-terms-of-work-i-never-felt-that-i-ve_2494749.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c01/joan-didion-497_different_in-terms-of-work-i-never-felt-that-i-ve_2494749.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c01/joan-didion-497_different_in-terms-of-work-i-never-felt-that-i-ve_2494749.jpg) > “In terms of work, I never felt that I've done it right. I always want to have done it differently, to have done it better, a different way.” [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perfectionism can hinder satisfaction; embracing imperfection leads to growth. **In simple terms:** Accept that work is never perfect. Key Takeaway Focus on progress, not flawless outcomes. Themes perfectionism self‑criticism growth Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - writing drafts - project completion - personal goals - learning new skills - performance reviews Key Concepts mindset creative process Questions to Reflect On - What would you change if you let go of perfection? - How can you measure success beyond perfection? A Different Perspective Striving for perfection can fuel excellence when balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [“I guess we can all look back and see things in our lives that we could or should have done differently—and better—and”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duff-mckagan/i-guess-we-can-all-look-back-and-see-things-in-our-lives-that-we/) [Duff McKagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duff-mckagan/) > [“Think differently, BE better!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-l-johnson/think-differently-be-better/) [Darren L Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-l-johnson/) > [In terms of my own behavior and activity, the funny thing about regrets and saying "I'm sorry," is that there's so much I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/in-terms-of-my-own-behavior-and-activity-the-funny-thing-about/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [All of us from time to time look back and think we could've handled things differently or better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-berejiklian/all-of-us-from-time-to-time-look-back-and-think-we-could-ve-handled/) [Gladys Berejiklian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-berejiklian/) > [We want to see ourselves - but differently. 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Don't blend in. Show yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/islam-elnady/don-t-live-you-life-as-anyone-ordinary-in-the-crowd-live-differently/) [Islam Elnady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/islam-elnady/) > [Pitchers pitch differently. Hitters, hardly anyone has the same stance. 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Sometimes I don't accomplish anything every day, but if I don't work every day, I get depressed and get afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-work-every-day-sometimes-i-don-t-accomplish-anything-every-day-but/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [Style is character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/style-is-character/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [California is a place in which a boom mentality and a sense of Chekhovian loss meet in uneasy suspension.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/california-is-a-place-in-which-a-boom-mentality-and-a-sense-of/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [“I went because I was interested in the alchemy of issues.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-went-because-i-was-interested-in-the-alchemy-of-issues/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [“Why did I write it down? 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Later he said that if John had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-just-can-t-see-the-upside-in-this-i-heard-myself-say-by-way-of/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [ I read so ravenously that I would read through whole categories. I was crazy about reading biographies. \[...\] I think biographies are very urgent… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-read-so-ravenously-that-i-would-read-through-whole-categories-i-was/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [To those of us who remained committed mainly to the exploration of moral distinctions and ambiguities, the feminist analysis may have seemed a particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/to-those-of-us-who-remained-committed-mainly-to-the-exploration-of/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) [Explore all 515 Joan Didion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) ## More Different quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. 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