--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was always so engrossed with being…" description: "\"I was always so engrossed with being successful that that was my worth and my identity. And then when things weren't going well, I felt like I was wort..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/justin-kan-4459_always_i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-suc_2332371.jpg" --- # I was always so engrossed with being successful that that… ![“I was always so engrossed with being successful that that was my worth and my identity. And then when things weren't going well, I felt like I was worthless.” quote by Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/justin-kan-4459_always_i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-suc_2332371.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/justin-kan-4459_always_i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-suc_2332371.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/justin-kan-4459_always_i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-suc_2332371.jpg) > “I was always so engrossed with being successful that that was my worth and my identity. And then when things weren't going well, I felt like I was worthless.” [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success defined self‑worth leads to fragile identity; setbacks feel like personal failure. **In simple terms:** Success became self‑worth; setbacks felt like failure. Key Takeaway Separate identity from achievement. Themes self‑worth identity failure resilience Mood reflective empathetic Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career setbacks - personal crisis - mental health - relationship stress Key Concepts psychology self‑concept mindset Questions to Reflect On - How can you define worth beyond success? - What values sustain you in failure? A Different Perspective Identity can be rebuilt through values beyond achievement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Worth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth/) ## Related quotes > [The wrong person will treat you like you're WORTHLESS and if you don't know your worth you'll WASTE TIME trying to prove your worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/the-wrong-person-will-treat-you-like-you-re-worthless-and-if-you-don/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [“fame in a world like this is worthless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/fame-in-a-world-like-this-is-worthless/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Security represents your sense of worth, your identity, your emotional anchorage, your self-esteem, your basic personal strength or lack of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/security-represents-your-sense-of-worth-your-identity-your-emotional/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you knew your worth you wouldn't put up with someone that TREATS YOU like you're worthless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/if-you-knew-your-worth-you-wouldn-t-put-up-with-someone-that-treats/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [“but things weren’t hot enough in the bedroom. Story of my life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/but-things-weren-t-hot-enough-in-the-bedroom-story-of-my-life/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [She had this desire for things that weren't good for her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/she-had-this-desire-for-things-that-weren-t-good-for-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Just then things weren't going so well in my life. My business was precariously perched on the brink of bankruptcy, my anemic love life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lashner/just-then-things-weren-t-going-so-well-in-my-life-my-business-was/) [William Lashner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lashner/) > [“Things weren't black and white, but that didn't mean you couldn't pick a side.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-simmons/things-weren-t-black-and-white-but-that-didn-t-mean-you-couldn-t-pick/) [Kristen Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-simmons/) > [There were eleven of us. Each more different than the next. All with the same mindset. Things weren't the way they were meant to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-were-eleven-of-us-each-more-different-than-the-next-all-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was a basket case, you know? When I got mad, I threw clubs, you know? And if things weren't going well, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daly/i-was-a-basket-case-you-know-when-i-got-mad-i-threw-clubs-you-know/) [John Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daly/) > [“Things weren’t permanent, things could always fall apart, never get too comfortable, and even those you trust, those you trust as authority figures and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hastings/things-weren-t-permanent-things-could-always-fall-apart-never-get-too/) [Michael Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hastings/) > [The worst things weren't outside of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-voigt/the-worst-things-weren-t-outside-of-you/) [Cynthia Voigt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-voigt/) > [I found that things weren't going well upstairs. Carter was a crumpled heap of chicken warrior on the slope of the pyramid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-found-that-things-weren-t-going-well-upstairs-carter-was-a-crumpled/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I have a theory that children remember two things-when you weren't there and when they threw up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/i-have-a-theory-that-children-remember-two-things-when-you-weren-t/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [“He wasn't in a safe little story where wrongs were automatically righted; he was still in the real world, where bad bitter things happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/he-wasn-t-in-a-safe-little-story-where-wrongs-were-automatically/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) ## More by Justin Kan > [The big thing was realizing for myself that I had tied my ego to the outcomes and to startups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/the-big-thing-was-realizing-for-myself-that-i-had-tied-my-ego-to-the/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [During the pandemic, obviously gaming has become almost like a primary activity. People are at home all the time, they need to entertain themselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/during-the-pandemic-obviously-gaming-has-become-almost-like-a-primary/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [I want to inspire the youth to become entrepreneurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-want-to-inspire-the-youth-to-become-entrepreneurs/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [My advice is flip a coin. If you regret the way it landed, then go with your gut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/my-advice-is-flip-a-coin-if-you-regret-the-way-it-landed-then-go-with/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [I think when you start talking about selling a company or a company wants to buy you, then you start thinking about how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-think-when-you-start-talking-about-selling-a-company-or-a-company/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [If you look at things that are popular apps, it doesn't mean it's going to stick around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/if-you-look-at-things-that-are-popular-apps-it-doesn-t-mean-it-s/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [I'm looking for a girl who's an exhibitionist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-m-looking-for-a-girl-who-s-an-exhibitionist/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [If justin.tv can succeed, then nobody has an excuse. It was a terrible idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/if-justin-tv-can-succeed-then-nobody-has-an-excuse-it-was-a-terrible/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [It's nice to watch someone else perform instead of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/it-s-nice-to-watch-someone-else-perform-instead-of-me/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [I can't promise you will succeed if you stick with your start-up. What I can promise is that if you give up, you won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-can-t-promise-you-will-succeed-if-you-stick-with-your-start-up-what/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [It helps tremendously to have operating startup experience when advising startups. It is much easier to tell people how to talk to customers, build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/it-helps-tremendously-to-have-operating-startup-experience-when/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [Alcohol was this crutch for me, to be able to be confident or go do those things I was scared to do. Eventually, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/alcohol-was-this-crutch-for-me-to-be-able-to-be-confident-or-go-do/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [I like the idea that I can make a big difference to a startup in a short period of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-like-the-idea-that-i-can-make-a-big-difference-to-a-startup-in-a/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [Companies are bought not sold, an investment banker told me that once and it is very true. Basically what it means is you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/companies-are-bought-not-sold-an-investment-banker-told-me-that-once/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [Most people aren't good at creating generally interesting video.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/most-people-aren-t-good-at-creating-generally-interesting-video/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) [Explore all 110 Justin Kan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was always so engrossed with being successful that that was my worth and my identity. And then when things weren't going well, I felt like I was worthless.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Justin Kan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-successful-that-that-was-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-successful-that-that-was-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/justin-kan-4459_always_i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-suc_2332371.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/justin-kan-4459_always_i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-suc_2332371.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/justin-kan-4459_always_i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-suc_2332371.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was always so engrossed with being successful that that was my worth and my identity. And then when things…” — Justin Kan", "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": "Justin Kan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was always so engrossed with...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-successful-that-that-was-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-was-always-so-engrossed-with-being-successful-that-that-was-my/#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 } } ] } ```