--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On an average day, we allow ourselves the…" description: "\"On an average day, we allow ourselves the fiction that we own a piece of our workplace. That's part of what it takes to get the job done. Deeper down, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/mary-schmich-10979_average_on-an-average-day-we-allow-ourselves-the_350425.png" --- # On an average day, we allow ourselves the fiction that we… ![“On an average day, we allow ourselves the fiction that we own a piece of our workplace. That's part of what it takes to get the job done. Deeper down, we know it's all on loan.” quote by Mary Schmich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/mary-schmich-10979_average_on-an-average-day-we-allow-ourselves-the_350425.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/mary-schmich-10979_average_on-an-average-day-we-allow-ourselves-the_350425.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/mary-schmich-10979_average_on-an-average-day-we-allow-ourselves-the_350425.png) > “On an average day, we allow ourselves the fiction that we own a piece of our workplace. That's part of what it takes to get the job done. Deeper down, we know it's all on loan.” [Mary Schmich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-schmich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We feel a temporary sense of ownership at work, but ultimately recognize it as a loan. **In simple terms:** We think we own our job, but it's temporary. Key Takeaway Act with humility and stewardship. Themes ownership humility workplace psychology Mood reflective balanced Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - team projects - leadership roles - career planning Key Concepts psychological ownership temporary stewardship Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing work as a loan change your behavior? - What practices keep you grounded? A Different Perspective Ownership can breed entitlement if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Workplace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workplace/) ## Related quotes > [Successful people do whatever it takes to get the job done, whether or not they feel like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-olson/successful-people-do-whatever-it-takes-to-get-the-job-done-whether-or/) [Jeff Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-olson/) > [“It's not that heroes have no fear; it's just that they understand what it takes, to get the job done!!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-armstrong/it-s-not-that-heroes-have-no-fear-it-s-just-that-they-understand-what/) [Robert Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-armstrong/) > [When you have to stay late, you stay late, and when you don't have to stay late, you go home. 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