--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: well it used to be about trying to do…" description: "\"“well it used to be about trying to do something, now it is about trying to be someone”\" — Margaret Thatcher" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/margaret-thatcher-463_quote_well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-so_1412327.jpg" --- # well it used to be about trying to do something, now it is… ![“well it used to be about trying to do something, now it is about trying to be someone” quote by Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/margaret-thatcher-463_quote_well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-so_1412327.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/margaret-thatcher-463_quote_well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-so_1412327.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/margaret-thatcher-463_quote_well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-so_1412327.jpg) > ““well it used to be about trying to do something, now it is about trying to be someone”” [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The focus shifted from accomplishing tasks to constructing identity; now success is measured by who you become. **In simple terms:** Success is now about being, not doing. Key Takeaway Cultivate character over tasks. Themes identity purpose self‑definition Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career advancement - social media presence - leadership development - personal growth Key Concepts Existentialism social perception personal branding Questions to Reflect On - What identity are you building? - How does your self‑image affect your actions? A Different Perspective Identity can be fluid and hard to pin down. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-something-now-it-s-about-trying-to/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [You're doing it wrong if you still remind yourself of what you used to have together when you're trying to move on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-re-doing-it-wrong-if-you-still-remind-yourself-of-what-you-used/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It isn't a matter of hope. It's a matter of - between the options of trying nothing and trying something, let's try something but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathon-keats/it-isn-t-a-matter-of-hope-it-s-a-matter-of-between-the-options-of/) [Jonathon Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathon-keats/) > [Having a record company and putting out my own CD. There's clothes and shoes. There's also an upcoming book deal that I'm trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/metta-world-peace/having-a-record-company-and-putting-out-my-own-cd-there-s-clothes-and/) [Metta World Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/metta-world-peace/) > [Either they're trying to con you or they're trying to con themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/either-they-re-trying-to-con-you-or-they-re-trying-to-con-themselves/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [Sometime love to be so dumb for just trying and trying...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritesh/sometime-love-to-be-so-dumb-for-just-trying-and-trying/) [Ritesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritesh/) > [I'm trying to be myself, trying and be aggressive no matter what percentage I'm shooting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bojan-bogdanovic/i-m-trying-to-be-myself-trying-and-be-aggressive-no-matter-what/) [Bojan Bogdanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bojan-bogdanovic/) > [“I wish I could ask the future whether I should give up or keep trying. Then again, what if trying, even in the face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-manguso/i-wish-i-could-ask-the-future-whether-i-should-give-up-or-keep-trying/) [Sarah Manguso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-manguso/) > [I try. I am trying. I was trying. I will try. I shall in the meantime try. I sometimes have tried. I shall still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-glancy/i-try-i-am-trying-i-was-trying-i-will-try-i-shall-in-the-meantime-try/) [Diane Glancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-glancy/) > [There was no giving up. Trying and trying. That's what I'm all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonita-alizadeh/there-was-no-giving-up-trying-and-trying-that-s-what-i-m-all-about/) [Sonita Alizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonita-alizadeh/) > [“We were each of us trying; trying to undo our own history while wishing for Superman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-garibay/we-were-each-of-us-trying-trying-to-undo-our-own-history-while/) [Amber Garibay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-garibay/) > [If you want to do or change something. Then trying is the least you could do. But then trying your best is the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ash-sweeney/if-you-want-to-do-or-change-something-then-trying-is-the-least-you/) [Ash Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ash-sweeney/) > [“I am. Trying, I'm trying it. But he means something else. I'm trying it like, you find a coin on the table and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-handler/i-am-trying-i-m-trying-it-but-he-means-something-else-i-m-trying-it/) [Daniel Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-handler/) > [I'm trying to put on a show, trying to entertain the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-alcaraz/i-m-trying-to-put-on-a-show-trying-to-entertain-the-people/) [Carlos Alcaraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-alcaraz/) > [On one-on-one, I'm either trying to get the first down or trying to score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-jackson/on-one-on-one-i-m-either-trying-to-get-the-first-down-or-trying-to/) [Lamar Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-jackson/) ## More by Margaret Thatcher > [When you stop a dictator, there are always risks. But there are greater risks in not stopping a dictator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/when-you-stop-a-dictator-there-are-always-risks-but-there-are-greater/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Ideally, when Christians meet, as Christians do, to take counsel together, their purpose is not ( or should not be) to ascertain what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/ideally-when-christians-meet-as-christians-do-to-take-counsel/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [There are dangers in consensus: it could be an attempt to satisfy people holding no particular views about anything. ... No great party can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/there-are-dangers-in-consensus-it-could-be-an-attempt-to-satisfy/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [If it's me against 48, I feel sorry for the 48.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/if-it-s-me-against-48-i-feel-sorry-for-the-48/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [ \[When asked how it felt to be a female prime minister:\] I don't know: I've never experienced the alternative. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/when-asked-how-it-felt-to-be-a-female-prime-minister-i-don-t-know-i/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [It is sometimes said that because of our past we, as a people, expect too much and set our sights too high. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/it-is-sometimes-said-that-because-of-our-past-we-as-a-people-expect/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Unless we change our ways and our direction, our greatness as a nation will soon be a footnote in the history books, a distant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/unless-we-change-our-ways-and-our-direction-our-greatness-as-a-nation/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [I don't think any woman in power really has a happy life unless she's got a large number of women friends ... because you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/i-don-t-think-any-woman-in-power-really-has-a-happy-life-unless-she-s/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [People from my sort of background needed grammar schools to compete with children from privileged homes like Shirley Williams and Anthony Wedgwood Benn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/people-from-my-sort-of-background-needed-grammar-schools-to-compete/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing; knowing that it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/what-is-success-i-think-it-is-a-mixture-of-having-a-flair-for-the/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Personal virtue is no substitute for political hard-headedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/personal-virtue-is-no-substitute-for-political-hard-headedness/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [The Government wants a peaceful settlement. But we totally reject a peaceful sell-out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/the-government-wants-a-peaceful-settlement-but-we-totally-reject-a/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Major international interventions are doomed unless the US is directly or indirectly involved. But if American politicians, officials and servicemen are to be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/major-international-interventions-are-doomed-unless-the-us-is/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [We have made too much of one or two people, and we think that they can win or lose elections for us. Don't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/we-have-made-too-much-of-one-or-two-people-and-we-think-that-they-can/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [I pay tribute to John Major's achievement in persuading the other 11 Community Heads of Government that they could move ahead to a Social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/i-pay-tribute-to-john-major-s-achievement-in-persuading-the-other-11/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) [Explore all 539 Margaret Thatcher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) ## More Trying quotes > [I would tell kids not be like me, but to try and be better than me. Because I always wanted to be better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danica-patrick/i-would-tell-kids-not-be-like-me-but-to-try-and-be-better-than-me/) [Danica Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danica-patrick/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [I train my muscles, and I do a lot of stretching, and try to kick higher. But for me, practicing kung-fu is a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-chow/i-train-my-muscles-and-i-do-a-lot-of-stretching-and-try-to-kick/) [Stephen Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-chow/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/pain-is-meant-to-wake-us-up-people-try-to-hide-their-pain-but-they-re/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [I would drink gallons of coffee a day. Even now, off caffeine, I talk faster than anyone you've ever met. I finally recognized that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-englander/i-would-drink-gallons-of-coffee-a-day-even-now-off-caffeine-i-talk/) [Nathan Englander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-englander/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [I'm not here trying to convince anybody to vote for Donald Trump. I think every Christian needs to make up his own mind about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jeffress/i-m-not-here-trying-to-convince-anybody-to-vote-for-donald-trump-i/) [Robert Jeffress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jeffress/) > [ Brad \[Dourif\] would tell himself that he was not intentionally trying to mimic Jack Nicholson in any way. I think that actually bothers him… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-kirschner/brad-dourif-would-tell-himself-that-he-was-not-intentionally-trying/) [David Kirschner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kirschner/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [People who try to predict the future by extrapolating in a line of more of what exists - they are always wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/people-who-try-to-predict-the-future-by-extrapolating-in-a-line-of/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [The only thing I try to watch carefully is that I never lose the love for the instrument. That's also why I decided against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nils-frahm/the-only-thing-i-try-to-watch-carefully-is-that-i-never-lose-the-love/) [Nils Frahm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nils-frahm/) Browse all 43,167 Trying quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“well it used to be about trying to do something, now it is about trying to be someone”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Margaret Thatcher" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-something-now-it-is-about/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Trying" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-something-now-it-is-about/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/margaret-thatcher-463_quote_well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-so_1412327.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/margaret-thatcher-463_quote_well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-so_1412327.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/margaret-thatcher-463_quote_well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-so_1412327.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“well it used to be about trying to do something, now it is about trying to be someone” — Margaret Thatcher", "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": "Margaret Thatcher", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“well it used to be about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-something-now-it-is-about/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/well-it-used-to-be-about-trying-to-do-something-now-it-is-about/#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 } } ] } ```