--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't work for awards; they're just an…" description: "\"I don't work for awards; they're just an icing on the cake.\" — Kalki Koechlin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c98/kalki-koechlin-5288_awards_i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an_1741454.jpg" --- # I don't work for awards; they're just an icing on the cake. ![“I don't work for awards; they're just an icing on the cake.” quote by Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c98/kalki-koechlin-5288_awards_i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an_1741454.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c98/kalki-koechlin-5288_awards_i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an_1741454.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c98/kalki-koechlin-5288_awards_i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an_1741454.jpg) > “I don't work for awards; they're just an icing on the cake.” [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Awards are secondary; intrinsic motivation drives work more than external validation. **In simple terms:** Work for purpose, not praise. Key Takeaway Focus on craft, not accolades. Themes motivation recognition purpose Mood reflective determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career development - creative projects - team leadership Key Concepts intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation self‑determination Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure success beyond awards? - What drives you when no one is watching? A Different Perspective External rewards may still influence behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Award](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/award/) [Awards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awards/) [Awards Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awards-just-1523765/) [Cake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cake/) [Icing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/icing/) [Icing Cake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/icing-cake-780076/) [Icing on the cake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/icing-on-the-cake/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Just Icing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-icing-1373871/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Awards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-awards-871210/) ## Related quotes > [We have always said that advertising is just the icing on the cake. It is not the cake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-whitman/we-have-always-said-that-advertising-is-just-the-icing-on-the-cake-it/) [Meg Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-whitman/) > [It's so much fun that the money is just icing on the cake. There seems to be a lot of icing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/it-s-so-much-fun-that-the-money-is-just-icing-on-the-cake-there-seems/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [I told her that I can't be doing with the Wonder part of these trips, but she said it should be the icing on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/i-told-her-that-i-can-t-be-doing-with-the-wonder-part-of-these-trips/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [Every job after the first job I got was icing on the cake. This is so much fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katee-sackhoff/every-job-after-the-first-job-i-got-was-icing-on-the-cake-this-is-so/) [Katee Sackhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katee-sackhoff/) > [The icing on the cake is when other people enjoy your vision and support what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cise-star/the-icing-on-the-cake-is-when-other-people-enjoy-your-vision-and/) [Cise Star](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cise-star/) > [Stories aren't the icing on the cake; they are the cake!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-guber/stories-aren-t-the-icing-on-the-cake-they-are-the-cake/) [Peter Guber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-guber/) > [“Flow can be described as the icing on the cake”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-tate/flow-can-be-described-as-the-icing-on-the-cake/) [Derek Tate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-tate/) > [If the theory turns out to be right, that will be tremendously thick and tasty icing on the cake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/if-the-theory-turns-out-to-be-right-that-will-be-tremendously-thick/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [Nine times out of ten, I'm trying to meet someone else's expectations, whether it's the director or the writer or the animator, when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-pasdar/nine-times-out-of-ten-i-m-trying-to-meet-someone-else-s-expectations/) [Adrian Pasdar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-pasdar/) > [Its just the icing on the cupcake, fuckface](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-miller/its-just-the-icing-on-the-cupcake-fuckface/) [Mac Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-miller/) > [Words that say you care are just icing on the cake of action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-f-shubnell-2/words-that-say-you-care-are-just-icing-on-the-cake-of-action/) [Thomas F Shubnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-f-shubnell-2/) > [ “\[T\]he parent-child relationship was one way, you gave them all your love and they were under no obligation to pay a penny back. Of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-atkinson/t-he-parent-child-relationship-was-one-way-you-gave-them-all-your/) [Kate Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-atkinson/) > [“You're the icing on the cake on the table at my wake, You're the extra ton of cash on my sinking life raft, You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/modest-mouse/you-re-the-icing-on-the-cake-on-the-table-at-my-wake-you-re-the-extra/) [Modest Mouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/modest-mouse/) > [“I think it's more accurate to think of aesthetics as a key ingredient in a recipe, as opposed to the icing on the cake.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-p-anderson/i-think-it-s-more-accurate-to-think-of-aesthetics-as-a-key-ingredient/) [Stephen P. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-p-anderson/) > [When it comes to the awards and everything, and the press, the publicity, this is all icing on the cake to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/when-it-comes-to-the-awards-and-everything-and-the-press-the/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) ## More by Kalki Koechlin > [Everybody should read 'Slaughterhouse-Five' by Kurt Vonnegut. This book is about the hypocrisy of war, told in satire, and is hard-hitting and truthful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/everybody-should-read-slaughterhouse-five-by-kurt-vonnegut-this-book/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [If you want to have a nice laugh, then 'My Friend Pinto' is a movie to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/if-you-want-to-have-a-nice-laugh-then-my-friend-pinto-is-a-movie-to/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [I, in particular, am in a confusing spot because I am Indian, but I am white, which people don't get. So often I find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-in-particular-am-in-a-confusing-spot-because-i-am-indian-but-i-am/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [I like Kerala a lot. The beautiful beaches there, the backwaters - I have good memories of the place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-like-kerala-a-lot-the-beautiful-beaches-there-the-backwaters-i-have/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [People like Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut are really paving the way for successful women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/people-like-priyanka-chopra-and-kangana-ranaut-are-really-paving-the/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [I am probably spiritual in the sense that I do believe there is more to life than what we see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-am-probably-spiritual-in-the-sense-that-i-do-believe-there-is-more/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [It's all a part of this world where we're all kind of mixing a lot, and… in that way we're all a bit confused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/it-s-all-a-part-of-this-world-where-we-re-all-kind-of-mixing-a-lot/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [What makes us really human is it's in the presence of death that we start valuing life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/what-makes-us-really-human-is-it-s-in-the-presence-of-death-that-we/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [Being a feminist means asking for equality. But people take it the other way at times. It is looked down upon is because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/being-a-feminist-means-asking-for-equality-but-people-take-it-the/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [I don't want to choose between commercial and independent cinema. I just want to choose between a good film and a bad film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-don-t-want-to-choose-between-commercial-and-independent-cinema-i/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [I consider myself as a human being with lots of ups and downs and learning from a lot of failures before I can succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-consider-myself-as-a-human-being-with-lots-of-ups-and-downs-and/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [I think, no matter how successful you are, there is some struggle of one kind or the other for every actor at every level.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-think-no-matter-how-successful-you-are-there-is-some-struggle-of/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [I am always open to any film from any place, given the role and the script is interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-am-always-open-to-any-film-from-any-place-given-the-role-and-the/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [A film is a mirror image of our society. If there's something wrong with the way we make films or the way women are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/a-film-is-a-mirror-image-of-our-society-if-there-s-something-wrong/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [There's a thing about opinions... They are formulated over time. They tend to change with time, and you are going to change your mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/there-s-a-thing-about-opinions-they-are-formulated-over-time-they/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) [Explore all 102 Kalki Koechlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) ## More Award quotes > [Professionally speaking, the proudest moment was when I booked the 'Human Stain.' I knew it had Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Gary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/professionally-speaking-the-proudest-moment-was-when-i-booked-the/) [Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/) > [I love my role in 'Deshamuduru' but I did not get any award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali/i-love-my-role-in-deshamuduru-but-i-did-not-get-any-award/) [Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [Some of my contemporaries don't want to talk about the female problem because they feel like whenever they get a teaching position or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/du-yun/some-of-my-contemporaries-don-t-want-to-talk-about-the-female-problem/) [Du Yun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/du-yun/) > [I'm not a great believer in awards-of course the fact that I've never won one has nothing to do with it at all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-banks/i-m-not-a-great-believer-in-awards-of-course-the-fact-that-i-ve-never/) [Iain Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-banks/) > [Any award the NBA gives you, whether it's on the court or off the court, it's definitely an honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-thompson/any-award-the-nba-gives-you-whether-it-s-on-the-court-or-off-the/) [Tristan Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-thompson/) > [I look to a time when brotherhood needs no publicity; to a time when a brotherhood award would be as ridiculous as an award…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-mich/i-look-to-a-time-when-brotherhood-needs-no-publicity-to-a-time-when-a/) [Daniel D. Mich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-d-mich/) > [I am not after any award. Love and affection of the audience is the biggest award for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mukesh-tiwari/i-am-not-after-any-award-love-and-affection-of-the-audience-is-the/) [Mukesh Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mukesh-tiwari/) > [I don't like the energy at award shows. It's rehearsed and everybody is just focused on themselves and nobody wants to genuinely applaud for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaani-kapoor/i-don-t-like-the-energy-at-award-shows-it-s-rehearsed-and-everybody/) [Vaani Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaani-kapoor/) > [You don't want to make awards the reason you're doing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nolte/you-don-t-want-to-make-awards-the-reason-you-re-doing-things/) [Nick Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nolte/) > [Winning or not winning an award doesn't affect me. I just like to do my work in the best possible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kk/winning-or-not-winning-an-award-doesn-t-affect-me-i-just-like-to-do/) [KK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kk/) > [I don't feel I have to acknowledge how I'm doing by an award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/i-don-t-feel-i-have-to-acknowledge-how-i-m-doing-by-an-award/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [I never thought I would get a National Award. For me, it was huge, and I got complacent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/i-never-thought-i-would-get-a-national-award-for-me-it-was-huge-and-i/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [You don't do a play to compete for an award. This was the argument I always had over the Oscars. I didn't win them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenda-jackson/you-don-t-do-a-play-to-compete-for-an-award-this-was-the-argument-i/) [Glenda Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenda-jackson/) > [I was on MTV's 'Real World' at the time when 'Queer Eye' came out. I remember, the first time I won an award, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karamo-brown/i-was-on-mtv-s-real-world-at-the-time-when-queer-eye-came-out-i/) [Karamo Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karamo-brown/) [Browse all 647 Award quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/award/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't work for awards; they're just an icing on the cake.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kalki Koechlin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an-icing-on-the-cake/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Award" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an-icing-on-the-cake/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c98/kalki-koechlin-5288_awards_i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an_1741454.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c98/kalki-koechlin-5288_awards_i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an_1741454.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c98/kalki-koechlin-5288_awards_i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an_1741454.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I don't work for awards; they're just an icing on the cake.” — Kalki Koechlin", "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": "Kalki Koechlin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I don't work for awards; they're...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an-icing-on-the-cake/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-don-t-work-for-awards-they-re-just-an-icing-on-the-cake/#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 } } ] } ```