---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I learned that it's OK to be stubborn…"
description: "\"I learned that it's OK to be stubborn about your craft, and it's OK to demand excellence from the industry.\" — Kat Graham"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kat-graham-4328_excellence_i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-ab_257576.jpg"
---

#  I learned that it's OK to be stubborn about your craft…

![“I learned that it's OK to be stubborn about your craft, and it's OK to demand excellence from the industry.” quote by Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kat-graham-4328_excellence_i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-ab_257576.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kat-graham-4328_excellence_i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-ab_257576.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kat-graham-4328_excellence_i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-ab_257576.jpg)

> “I learned that it's OK to be stubborn about your craft, and it's OK to demand excellence from the industry.”

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Stubbornness in craft can drive excellence, but demanding it from industry may cause tension.

**In simple terms:** Be persistent, seek quality.

Key Takeaway

Balance persistence with collaboration.

Themes

craft excellence stubbornness

Mood

determined critical

Type

professional motivational

When to use this quote

- artistic projects
- career negotiations
- team collaborations
- client relations
- skill development

Key Concepts

creative integrity industry standards

Questions to Reflect On

- Is your stubbornness constructive?
- How to request excellence without alienating others?

A Different Perspective

Industry may resist change.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Industry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/industry/)

## Related quotes

> [I demand excellence from the people I work with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-schroder/i-demand-excellence-from-the-people-i-work-with/)

[Ricky Schroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-schroder/)

> [“You demand excellence and excellence demands your every move better”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myra-yadav-move-on/you-demand-excellence-and-excellence-demands-your-every-move-better/)

Myra Yadav, Move On

> [That's just how I live my life. That's how I was raised: to demand excellence out of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezekiel-elliott/that-s-just-how-i-live-my-life-that-s-how-i-was-raised-to-demand/)

[Ezekiel Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezekiel-elliott/)

> [When backed up against a wall, dig deep, demand excellence, stand tall, and be strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/when-backed-up-against-a-wall-dig-deep-demand-excellence-stand-tall/)

[Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/)

> [Having success for a year or two, that's called being hot. Being in demand. Excellence is being able to perform at a high level…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z-2/having-success-for-a-year-or-two-that-s-called-being-hot-being-in/)

[Jay Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z-2/)

> [We don't know everything all the time, and that's OK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zara-mcdermott/we-don-t-know-everything-all-the-time-and-that-s-ok/)

[Zara McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zara-mcdermott/)

> [Long time ago, people would make the Bible, right? The guy said it, somebody wrote it down. And then if you wanted another copy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-burns/long-time-ago-people-would-make-the-bible-right-the-guy-said-it/)

[Ursula Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-burns/)

> [Yes, e-commerce is a strange situation for an old guy like me. You can buy a TV online, OK, but to buy a dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-azria/yes-e-commerce-is-a-strange-situation-for-an-old-guy-like-me-you-can/)

[Max Azria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-azria/)

> [We'd been noticing how much more important the internet had become - once information is out there in the world now, anyone can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-tweedy/we-d-been-noticing-how-much-more-important-the-internet-had-become/)

[Jeff Tweedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-tweedy/)

> [I actually love Twitter and Instagram. I do think it's so strange to think that 20 years ago, people would never have known personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/i-actually-love-twitter-and-instagram-i-do-think-it-s-so-strange-to/)

[Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/)

> [If people are talking about your movie and they're like, 'Yeah, it was ok' - that's the last reaction I would want! I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caity-lotz/if-people-are-talking-about-your-movie-and-they-re-like-yeah-it-was/)

[Caity Lotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caity-lotz/)

> [It took me a long time to make that leap to being a grown-up and responsible adult because I carried on being a child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dexter-fletcher/it-took-me-a-long-time-to-make-that-leap-to-being-a-grown-up-and/)

[Dexter Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dexter-fletcher/)

> [I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the Armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-pace/i-believe-that-homosexual-acts-between-individuals-are-immoral-and/)

[Peter Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-pace/)

> [There's been times where I sold the place out, and I walked in and the guy's like, 'Uh, ID?' 'No, you can't ID me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannibal-buress/there-s-been-times-where-i-sold-the-place-out-and-i-walked-in-and-the/)

[Hannibal Buress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannibal-buress/)

> [People take years learning how to act; it's a skill, not just a job. If I tried it out and thought I'd be OK,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/people-take-years-learning-how-to-act-it-s-a-skill-not-just-a-job-if/)

[Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/)

## More by Kat Graham

> [I'm into Gucci a lot, like vintage '70s everything. I'm into Versace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-m-into-gucci-a-lot-like-vintage-70s-everything-i-m-into-versace/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I think Sephora is great; it's so accessible, and there are so many different palettes that you can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-think-sephora-is-great-it-s-so-accessible-and-there-are-so-many/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I like different statement jewelry, especially around the ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-like-different-statement-jewelry-especially-around-the-ears/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [Sometimes fashion designers will be like, 'This is what's hot right now, and you will be cool if you wear this,' but sometimes it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/sometimes-fashion-designers-will-be-like-this-is-what-s-hot-right-now/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I think a lot of young girls see actresses, and they think of red carpets, and they think of 'Us Weekly,' and they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-think-a-lot-of-young-girls-see-actresses-and-they-think-of-red/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [Live performances always feel like such a moment with all of the costumes and theatrics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/live-performances-always-feel-like-such-a-moment-with-all-of-the/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I just wanna be a good artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-just-wanna-be-a-good-artist/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I'd really like to work with Gwen Stefani and Cee Lo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-d-really-like-to-work-with-gwen-stefani-and-cee-lo/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [Take chances, find your voice in fashion, and find what you like, and find what makes you feel good, and do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/take-chances-find-your-voice-in-fashion-and-find-what-you-like-and/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I love a cool bralette paired with a high-waisted jean, maybe with Chanel suspenders and a good platform shoe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-love-a-cool-bralette-paired-with-a-high-waisted-jean-maybe-with/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I would really love to collaborate with Gwen Stefani and M.I.A.; artists that kind of make sense with me vocally. And in terms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-would-really-love-to-collaborate-with-gwen-stefani-and-m-i-a/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I wanted to be the first female, young teenager producer, and it didn't happen. And when it finally did happen, I was shelved because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-wanted-to-be-the-first-female-young-teenager-producer-and-it-didn-t/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I like the idea of being so passionate about everything I do and the fact that I might wake up tomorrow and say 'I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-like-the-idea-of-being-so-passionate-about-everything-i-do-and-the/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [When I see other working actresses that are brown, I get so excited. I get so excited when I see Zoe Kravitz, Janelle Monae,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/when-i-see-other-working-actresses-that-are-brown-i-get-so-excited-i/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

> [I'm still somebody that listens to a lot of James Brown, a lot of The O'Jays, a lot of TLC... in that era, producers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-m-still-somebody-that-listens-to-a-lot-of-james-brown-a-lot-of-the/)

[Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

[Explore all 112 Kat Graham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/)

## More Excellence quotes

> [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/)

[Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/)

> [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/)

[Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/)

> [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/)

[Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/)

> [You learn a lot from quality players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/you-learn-a-lot-from-quality-players/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

> [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [We want to promote the great quality of athletics - and maintain it's integrity - all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-juantorena/we-want-to-promote-the-great-quality-of-athletics-and-maintain-it-s/)

[Alberto Juantorena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-juantorena/)

> [“Anytime I see a rainbow, what comes into my mind is how skillful and talented someone was to create an ark that didn't leak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/anytime-i-see-a-rainbow-what-comes-into-my-mind-is-how-skillful-and/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-you-are-the-master-be-sometimes-blind-if-you-are-the-servant-be/)

[R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/)

> [We may be masters of our every lot By bearing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/we-may-be-masters-of-our-every-lot-by-bearing-it/)

[Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/)

> [Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/quality-means-doing-it-right-when-no-one-is-looking/)

[Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/)

> [We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly followed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-cannot-all-be-masters-nor-all-masters-cannot-be-truly-followed/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Leadership, pure and simple, is the assumption of responsibility for the pursuit of excellence in group life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-selznick/leadership-pure-and-simple-is-the-assumption-of-responsibility-for/)

Philip Selznick

> [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

[Browse all 4,187 Excellence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I learned that it's OK to be stubborn about your craft, and it's OK to demand excellence from the industry.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Kat Graham"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-about-your-craft-and-it-s-ok-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Excellence"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-about-your-craft-and-it-s-ok-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kat-graham-4328_excellence_i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-ab_257576.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kat-graham-4328_excellence_i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-ab_257576.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/kat-graham-4328_excellence_i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-ab_257576.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I learned that it's OK to be stubborn about your craft, and it's OK to demand excellence from the industry.” — Kat Graham",
                "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": "Kat Graham",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I learned that it's OK to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-about-your-craft-and-it-s-ok-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-about-your-craft-and-it-s-ok-to/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
