--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I'm going to work, I often stop and…" description: "\"When I'm going to work, I often stop and wonder how I've got here. I don't mean literally, but just thinking back to when I first had the idea of being..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/maxine-peake-6526_actress_when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and_2599348.jpg" --- # When I'm going to work, I often stop and wonder how I've… ![“When I'm going to work, I often stop and wonder how I've got here. I don't mean literally, but just thinking back to when I first had the idea of being an actress, it seemed so unreal, so unlikely. People like me just didn't become actresses. Every new job I get comes as shock. It's almost as if…” quote by Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/maxine-peake-6526_actress_when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and_2599348.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/maxine-peake-6526_actress_when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and_2599348.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/maxine-peake-6526_actress_when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and_2599348.jpg) > “When I'm going to work, I often stop and wonder how I've got here. I don't mean literally, but just thinking back to when I first had the idea of being an actress, it seemed so unreal, so unlikely. People like me just didn't become actresses. Every new job I get comes as shock. It's almost as if I'm waiting to be found out.” [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reflects on the surprise and self‑doubt that accompany unexpected career paths, feeling like an impostor. **In simple terms:** Unexpected success feels like a secret being discovered. Key Takeaway Embrace the surprise and own your achievements. Themes self‑doubt career impostor syndrome growth confidence Mood anxious hopeful reflective Type motivational personal When to use this quote - acting auditions - new job starts - career transitions - public speaking Key Concepts identity impostor syndrome career trajectory Questions to Reflect On - What evidence disproves your impostor feeling? - How can you reframe surprise as validation? A Different Perspective Feeling like a fraud can undermine confidence and limit risk‑taking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) [New job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-job/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I reckoned my accent and class would count against me; I didn't see actresses as being working-class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-reckoned-my-accent-and-class-would-count-against-me-i-didn-t-see/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I liked the idea of being an actress, but thought better of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-cox/i-liked-the-idea-of-being-an-actress-but-thought-better-of-it/) [Sara Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-cox/) > [I had such total, unequivocal, enthusiastic encouragement to be an actress. Looking back, I really find that to be a total mystery. Don't ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-had-such-total-unequivocal-enthusiastic-encouragement-to-be-an/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I hated the whole idea of being an actress. I used to throw up before every performance and cry afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-holliday/i-hated-the-whole-idea-of-being-an-actress-i-used-to-throw-up-before/) [Judy Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-holliday/) > [I've always refused to buy into the idea that I should look a certain way. People say I don't conform to the idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-quentin/i-ve-always-refused-to-buy-into-the-idea-that-i-should-look-a-certain/) [Caroline Quentin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-quentin/) > [I kind of shy away from that idea of being an actress because it seems to me to be such a cliché. Also, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edie-campbell/i-kind-of-shy-away-from-that-idea-of-being-an-actress-because-it/) [Edie Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edie-campbell/) > [I think that actresses can be in all different shapes and sizes, but it is a profession, and as an actor, your body is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebel-wilson/i-think-that-actresses-can-be-in-all-different-shapes-and-sizes-but/) [Rebel Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebel-wilson/) > [I made up my mind to be an actress when I was 4 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-gabor/i-made-up-my-mind-to-be-an-actress-when-i-was-4-years-old/) [Eva Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-gabor/) > [I knew I wanted to be an actress as soon as I popped out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-wallace/i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-as-soon-as-i-popped-out/) [Dee Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-wallace/) > [As a black actress you've got to work doubly hard. But it doesn't ever get me to the point where I give up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naturi-naughton/as-a-black-actress-you-ve-got-to-work-doubly-hard-but-it-doesn-t-ever/) [Naturi Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naturi-naughton/) > [I am going to be a great actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivien-leigh/i-am-going-to-be-a-great-actress/) [Vivien Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivien-leigh/) > [There's certain things I try to avoid, as an actress, just to keep my world from being as narrow as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/famke-janssen/there-s-certain-things-i-try-to-avoid-as-an-actress-just-to-keep-my/) [Famke Janssen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/famke-janssen/) > [There are a lot of great actresses out there. You learn to appreciate each one for what they offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-pratt/there-are-a-lot-of-great-actresses-out-there-you-learn-to-appreciate/) [Victoria Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-pratt/) > [Marilyn was a great actress, not a dumb blond bombshell. She was very smart, very astute and a good businesswoman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-schiller/marilyn-was-a-great-actress-not-a-dumb-blond-bombshell-she-was-very/) [Lawrence Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-schiller/) > [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) ## More by Maxine Peake > [My favourite outfit is a giant bunny suit. I wore it in a music video for 'Are You One?' by the Chanteuse & the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/my-favourite-outfit-is-a-giant-bunny-suit-i-wore-it-in-a-music-video/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I'd rather go down with an almighty bang than play it safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-d-rather-go-down-with-an-almighty-bang-than-play-it-safe/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I'm a big techphobe. Someone else helps me run my Twitter; I wouldn't be able to trust myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-m-a-big-techphobe-someone-else-helps-me-run-my-twitter-i-wouldn-t/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I watch 'Take Me Out' mainly for Paddy McGuinness. When we were younger, we worked together as lifeguards at the Bolton Leisure Centre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-watch-take-me-out-mainly-for-paddy-mcguinness-when-we-were-younger/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [Crying does not equal good acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/crying-does-not-equal-good-acting/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [As I've got older, I've got slightly more fussy. You've got less time; you need to use it wisely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/as-i-ve-got-older-i-ve-got-slightly-more-fussy-you-ve-got-less-time/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [We take things at face value, don't we? You form an opinion about something immediately, but you ought to step back a bit. Take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/we-take-things-at-face-value-don-t-we-you-form-an-opinion-about/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I think you can tell a lot by someone's footwear - cowboy boots would put me off, as would a man in Ugg boots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-think-you-can-tell-a-lot-by-someone-s-footwear-cowboy-boots-would/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I'm inspired by films from the early '50s, especially Jean Simmons in 'The Clouded Yellow' - and by vintage swing, psychobilly gigs, sea shanties,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-m-inspired-by-films-from-the-early-50s-especially-jean-simmons-in/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I care about my work, but I don't care about getting it wrong. The more you do, the more you realise nobody's going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-care-about-my-work-but-i-don-t-care-about-getting-it-wrong-the-more/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I remember when New Labour got in. I was at Salford Tech studying drama, and everyone was jumping up and down, and I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-remember-when-new-labour-got-in-i-was-at-salford-tech-studying/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I love 'Splash!' and 'Take Me Out.' Not that I'd ever do 'Splash!' It's the parading on British TV in a swimming costume I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-love-splash-and-take-me-out-not-that-i-d-ever-do-splash-it-s-the/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [For me, politics is about passion. It doesn't matter what you know; it's your actions that count. I meet people who say they're socialists,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/for-me-politics-is-about-passion-it-doesn-t-matter-what-you-know-it-s/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [If I were to appear in a programme like 'Sex and the City,' I'm sure I'd be cast as the downtrodden one staying at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/if-i-were-to-appear-in-a-programme-like-sex-and-the-city-i-m-sure-i-d/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) > [I get very irate with actors when they talk about how distressing it all is. I mean, it's only acting. Please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/i-get-very-irate-with-actors-when-they-talk-about-how-distressing-it/) [Maxine Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) [Explore all 99 Maxine Peake quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/) ## More Actress quotes > [Sigourney Weaver is a wonderful person. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to meet and work with such an amazing actress. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-henn/sigourney-weaver-is-a-wonderful-person-i-was-so-lucky-to-have-the/) [Carrie Henn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-henn/) > [People forget I'm an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-heatherton/people-forget-i-m-an-actress/) [Joey Heatherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-heatherton/) > [I adore Kelly Bishop as a human being and as an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-gunn/i-adore-kelly-bishop-as-a-human-being-and-as-an-actress/) [Sean Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-gunn/) > [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) > [Marilyn was a great actress, not a dumb blond bombshell. She was very smart, very astute and a good businesswoman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-schiller/marilyn-was-a-great-actress-not-a-dumb-blond-bombshell-she-was-very/) [Lawrence Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-schiller/) > [I'm an actress, not a pin-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-annis/i-m-an-actress-not-a-pin-up/) [Francesca Annis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-annis/) > [My father was a GP; my mother was a teacher and amateur actress. My father was a bit of a storyteller, but the acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ciaran-hinds/my-father-was-a-gp-my-mother-was-a-teacher-and-amateur-actress-my/) [Ciaran Hinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ciaran-hinds/) > [I never wished that I was a superstar. Hell, I never even wished that I was an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-lane/i-never-wished-that-i-was-a-superstar-hell-i-never-even-wished-that-i/) [Diane Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-lane/) > [Many of the heroines from outside Karnataka have worked in my films, but the attitude and adjusting nature of top South Indian actress Nayantara…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rockline-venkatesh/many-of-the-heroines-from-outside-karnataka-have-worked-in-my-films/) [Rockline Venkatesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rockline-venkatesh/) > [There are a lot of great actresses out there. You learn to appreciate each one for what they offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-pratt/there-are-a-lot-of-great-actresses-out-there-you-learn-to-appreciate/) [Victoria Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-pratt/) > [There's certain things I try to avoid, as an actress, just to keep my world from being as narrow as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/famke-janssen/there-s-certain-things-i-try-to-avoid-as-an-actress-just-to-keep-my/) [Famke Janssen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/famke-janssen/) > [I never wanted to be an opera singer. I wanted to be an actress, maybe a rock singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristine-opolais/i-never-wanted-to-be-an-opera-singer-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-maybe/) [Kristine Opolais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristine-opolais/) > [When an actor charges high fees, nobody says anything. But when an actress does the same, it becomes news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijayashanti/when-an-actor-charges-high-fees-nobody-says-anything-but-when-an/) [Vijayashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijayashanti/) > [I am going to be a great actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivien-leigh/i-am-going-to-be-a-great-actress/) [Vivien Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivien-leigh/) > [As a black actress you've got to work doubly hard. But it doesn't ever get me to the point where I give up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naturi-naughton/as-a-black-actress-you-ve-got-to-work-doubly-hard-but-it-doesn-t-ever/) [Naturi Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naturi-naughton/) Browse all 2,244 Actress quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I'm going to work, I often stop and wonder how I've got here. I don't mean literally, but just thinking back to when I first had the idea of being an actress, it seemed so unreal, so unlikely. People like me just didn't become actresses. Every new job I get comes as shock. It's almost as if I'm waiting to be found out.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maxine Peake" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and-wonder-how-i-ve-got-here-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actress" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and-wonder-how-i-ve-got-here-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/maxine-peake-6526_actress_when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and_2599348.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/maxine-peake-6526_actress_when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and_2599348.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/maxine-peake-6526_actress_when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and_2599348.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I'm going to work, I often stop and wonder how I've got here. I don't mean literally, but just thinking…” — Maxine Peake", "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": "Maxine Peake", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-peake/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I'm going to work, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and-wonder-how-i-ve-got-here-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-peake/when-i-m-going-to-work-i-often-stop-and-wonder-how-i-ve-got-here-i/#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 } } ] } ```