--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was crazy poor, but I was learning and…" description: "\"I was crazy poor, but I was learning and putting myself out there and getting hired to do whatever gig I could and auditioning.\" — Kay Cannon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/kay-cannon-21247_auditioning_i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and_116160.jpg" --- # I was crazy poor, but I was learning and putting myself… ![“I was crazy poor, but I was learning and putting myself out there and getting hired to do whatever gig I could and auditioning.” quote by Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/kay-cannon-21247_auditioning_i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and_116160.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/kay-cannon-21247_auditioning_i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and_116160.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/kay-cannon-21247_auditioning_i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and_116160.jpg) > “I was crazy poor, but I was learning and putting myself out there and getting hired to do whatever gig I could and auditioning.” [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Despite extreme poverty, the speaker pursued learning and took any available work, emphasizing perseverance and proactive self‑promotion. **In simple terms:** Hard work and hustle helped me rise from poverty. Key Takeaway Active effort and adaptability can break economic barriers. Themes perseverance career development hustle learning Mood determined optimistic Type inspirational real‑world When to use this quote - freelancing while studying - networking at industry events - taking low‑pay gigs to gain experience Key Concepts resilience initiative Practical Applications - adopt a gig‑economy mindset for skill building - create a personal brand to attract opportunities Questions to Reflect On - What personal habits helped you move forward during tough times? - How can you support others facing similar barriers? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic obstacles that individual effort alone cannot overcome. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) ## Related quotes > [Dating is sort of like auditioning. Even on your worst day, if you're right for the role, you're going to get another shot; you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/dating-is-sort-of-like-auditioning-even-on-your-worst-day-if-you-re/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [Usually when you're auditioning for something, you are taking whatever is coming at you and saying 'yes' because you have to to survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-ralph/usually-when-you-re-auditioning-for-something-you-are-taking-whatever/) [Jason Ralph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-ralph/) > [When I was six years old my friend was auditioning for 'Annie,' and I decided I wanted to audition with her. My mom was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-emerson/when-i-was-six-years-old-my-friend-was-auditioning-for-annie-and-i/) [Jacqueline Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-emerson/) > [I was in a play just outside of London and started auditioning for 'Sex Education,' but I just completely had the mindset that it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ncuti-gatwa/i-was-in-a-play-just-outside-of-london-and-started-auditioning-for/) [Ncuti Gatwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ncuti-gatwa/) > [Auditioning is always so different for different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hutcherson/auditioning-is-always-so-different-for-different-things/) [Josh Hutcherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hutcherson/) > [Woody Allen, that was a dream come true, although I never really talked to him. Auditioning was fun, because you don't really hear much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jacobson/woody-allen-that-was-a-dream-come-true-although-i-never-really-talked/) [Peter Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jacobson/) > [I found myself in this conundrum of loving acting, but not liking the path that you have to take to do it. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-whannell/i-found-myself-in-this-conundrum-of-loving-acting-but-not-liking-the/) [Leigh Whannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-whannell/) > [There's no enemy in the auditioning process. Everybody wants you to be the right person when you walk in the room. We're all just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mosley/there-s-no-enemy-in-the-auditioning-process-everybody-wants-you-to-be/) [Michael Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mosley/) > [When I'm auditioning for something, if it's not me, I really hope the part doesn't go to me. You know what I mean? I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-keller/when-i-m-auditioning-for-something-if-it-s-not-me-i-really-hope-the/) [Rachel Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-keller/) > [All you have to remember is 'audition' is synonymous with 'opportunity. I mean, if you absolutely hate auditioning, do you also hate opportunities? That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-swank/all-you-have-to-remember-is-audition-is-synonymous-with-opportunity-i/) [Hilary Swank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-swank/) > [I don't get jobs in films by auditioning. I'm not blonde. You can't place me in movies the way you can with certain actors.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-oh/i-don-t-get-jobs-in-films-by-auditioning-i-m-not-blonde-you-can-t/) [Sandra Oh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-oh/) > [Auditioning is a horrible experience because you know you are being absolutely scrutinized and judged. There are days where you can do it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/auditioning-is-a-horrible-experience-because-you-know-you-are-being/) [Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/) > [There are several times when I walked into a room and just felt like such a sham. That's the problem with auditioning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lillard/there-are-several-times-when-i-walked-into-a-room-and-just-felt-like/) [Matthew Lillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lillard/) > [When I was auditioning for 'Gotham,' I got a handful of comics from different decades, so I had a perspective - it's been around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-michael-smith/when-i-was-auditioning-for-gotham-i-got-a-handful-of-comics-from/) [Cory Michael Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-michael-smith/) > [I auditioned for 'Coco' when I was nine years old, and I had no idea I was auditioning for a Disney/Pixar movie. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-gonzalez/i-auditioned-for-coco-when-i-was-nine-years-old-and-i-had-no-idea-i/) [Anthony Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-gonzalez/) ## More by Kay Cannon > [I didn't set out to write some female-empowering movie; I just wanted to write a funny college comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-didn-t-set-out-to-write-some-female-empowering-movie-i-just-wanted/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [On '30 Rock,' the hours were really intense, and I was often on set. I'm glad I didn't have a kid then because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/on-30-rock-the-hours-were-really-intense-and-i-was-often-on-set-i-m/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [It's not about having luck; it's about putting yourself in a position of luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/it-s-not-about-having-luck-it-s-about-putting-yourself-in-a-position/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [On the set of 'Girlboss,' I had to keep introducing myself as the show runner - literally, 'Hi, I'm the boss' - to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/on-the-set-of-girlboss-i-had-to-keep-introducing-myself-as-the-show/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > ['Bridesmaids,' I think, opened up a door to allow women to show a bunch of different women in different ways of being funny. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/bridesmaids-i-think-opened-up-a-door-to-allow-women-to-show-a-bunch/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [It's not about having luck; it's about putting yourself in a position of luck. Meaning, get into a situation where you are with like-minded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/it-s-not-about-having-luck-it-s-about-putting-yourself-in-a-position-2/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [Writers who sit down and write might judge what they're putting down, but I always just try to barf it out. I'm writing crap,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/writers-who-sit-down-and-write-might-judge-what-they-re-putting-down/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [There's still only maybe three female writers or two female writers to 10 guys in any kind of writer's room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/there-s-still-only-maybe-three-female-writers-or-two-female-writers/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [I was the runt of the family, the shortest and the smallest, so I think they perceived me as the one who was like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-was-the-runt-of-the-family-the-shortest-and-the-smallest-so-i-think/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [I didn't really feel like I fit any of the parts. You either have to be this crazy beautiful supermodel lady, or you're a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-didn-t-really-feel-like-i-fit-any-of-the-parts-you-either-have-to/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [I love that feeling, that feeling of team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-love-that-feeling-that-feeling-of-team/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > ['Pitch Perfect' was my first screenplay, so it was like my little baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/pitch-perfect-was-my-first-screenplay-so-it-was-like-my-little-baby/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [Tina Fey is my mentor, whether she likes it or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/tina-fey-is-my-mentor-whether-she-likes-it-or-not/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [I'm a huge fan of Ace of Base. 'The Sign?' I love that song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-m-a-huge-fan-of-ace-of-base-the-sign-i-love-that-song/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) > [I played volleyball and basketball, and I did track and volleyball in college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-played-volleyball-and-basketball-and-i-did-track-and-volleyball-in/) [Kay Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) [Explore all 29 Kay Cannon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/) ## More Auditioning quotes > [When I was six years old my friend was auditioning for 'Annie,' and I decided I wanted to audition with her. My mom was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-emerson/when-i-was-six-years-old-my-friend-was-auditioning-for-annie-and-i/) [Jacqueline Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-emerson/) > [When I was auditioning for 'Gotham,' I got a handful of comics from different decades, so I had a perspective - it's been around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-michael-smith/when-i-was-auditioning-for-gotham-i-got-a-handful-of-comics-from/) [Cory Michael Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-michael-smith/) > [There are several times when I walked into a room and just felt like such a sham. That's the problem with auditioning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lillard/there-are-several-times-when-i-walked-into-a-room-and-just-felt-like/) [Matthew Lillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lillard/) > [Dating is sort of like auditioning. Even on your worst day, if you're right for the role, you're going to get another shot; you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/dating-is-sort-of-like-auditioning-even-on-your-worst-day-if-you-re/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [Auditioning is a horrible experience because you know you are being absolutely scrutinized and judged. There are days where you can do it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/auditioning-is-a-horrible-experience-because-you-know-you-are-being/) [Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/) > [I don't get jobs in films by auditioning. I'm not blonde. You can't place me in movies the way you can with certain actors.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-oh/i-don-t-get-jobs-in-films-by-auditioning-i-m-not-blonde-you-can-t/) [Sandra Oh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-oh/) > [All you have to remember is 'audition' is synonymous with 'opportunity. I mean, if you absolutely hate auditioning, do you also hate opportunities? That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-swank/all-you-have-to-remember-is-audition-is-synonymous-with-opportunity-i/) [Hilary Swank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-swank/) > [When I'm auditioning for something, if it's not me, I really hope the part doesn't go to me. You know what I mean? I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-keller/when-i-m-auditioning-for-something-if-it-s-not-me-i-really-hope-the/) [Rachel Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-keller/) > [There's no enemy in the auditioning process. Everybody wants you to be the right person when you walk in the room. We're all just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mosley/there-s-no-enemy-in-the-auditioning-process-everybody-wants-you-to-be/) [Michael Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mosley/) > [I found myself in this conundrum of loving acting, but not liking the path that you have to take to do it. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-whannell/i-found-myself-in-this-conundrum-of-loving-acting-but-not-liking-the/) [Leigh Whannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-whannell/) > [Usually when you're auditioning for something, you are taking whatever is coming at you and saying 'yes' because you have to to survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-ralph/usually-when-you-re-auditioning-for-something-you-are-taking-whatever/) [Jason Ralph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-ralph/) > [Woody Allen, that was a dream come true, although I never really talked to him. Auditioning was fun, because you don't really hear much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jacobson/woody-allen-that-was-a-dream-come-true-although-i-never-really-talked/) [Peter Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jacobson/) > [Auditioning is always so different for different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hutcherson/auditioning-is-always-so-different-for-different-things/) [Josh Hutcherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hutcherson/) > [I was in a play just outside of London and started auditioning for 'Sex Education,' but I just completely had the mindset that it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ncuti-gatwa/i-was-in-a-play-just-outside-of-london-and-started-auditioning-for/) [Ncuti Gatwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ncuti-gatwa/) > [I auditioned for 'Coco' when I was nine years old, and I had no idea I was auditioning for a Disney/Pixar movie. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-gonzalez/i-auditioned-for-coco-when-i-was-nine-years-old-and-i-had-no-idea-i/) [Anthony Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-gonzalez/) Browse all 277 Auditioning quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was crazy poor, but I was learning and putting myself out there and getting hired to do whatever gig I could and auditioning.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kay Cannon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and-putting-myself-out-there-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Auditioning" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and-putting-myself-out-there-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/kay-cannon-21247_auditioning_i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and_116160.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/kay-cannon-21247_auditioning_i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and_116160.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/kay-cannon-21247_auditioning_i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and_116160.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was crazy poor, but I was learning and putting myself out there and getting hired to do whatever gig I…” — Kay Cannon", "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": "Kay Cannon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-cannon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was crazy poor, but I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and-putting-myself-out-there-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-cannon/i-was-crazy-poor-but-i-was-learning-and-putting-myself-out-there-and/#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 } } ] } ```