--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Throughout my career, there has always…" description: "\"Throughout my career, there has always been an element of surprise. Sometimes there are moments of disappointment; sometimes there are moments of surpr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/michael-mcdonald-6275_been_throughout-my-career-there-has-always-be_2545814.jpg" --- # Throughout my career, there has always been an element of… ![“Throughout my career, there has always been an element of surprise. Sometimes there are moments of disappointment; sometimes there are moments of surprising success.” quote by Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/michael-mcdonald-6275_been_throughout-my-career-there-has-always-be_2545814.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/michael-mcdonald-6275_been_throughout-my-career-there-has-always-be_2545814.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/michael-mcdonald-6275_been_throughout-my-career-there-has-always-be_2545814.jpg) > “Throughout my career, there has always been an element of surprise. Sometimes there are moments of disappointment; sometimes there are moments of surprising success.” [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A career is marked by unexpected highs and lows, with surprise being a constant element. **In simple terms:** Surprises shape a professional journey. Key Takeaway Embrace both successes and setbacks. Themes career uncertainty surprise resilience Mood reflective optimistic Type professional philosophical When to use this quote - project launches - product releases - public reception - career pivots Key Concepts adaptability expectation management growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - How do you prepare for surprise? - What strategies turn disappointment into opportunity? A Different Perspective Unexpected outcomes can derail plans. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been/) [Disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment/) [Element of surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/element-of-surprise/) [Element Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/element-surprise-270702/) [Moments Surprising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments-surprising-1474464/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) [Surprise Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise-moments-1474463/) [Surprising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprising/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I want to keep looking for roles that have an element of surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahir-raj-bhasin/i-want-to-keep-looking-for-roles-that-have-an-element-of-surprise/) [Tahir Raj Bhasin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahir-raj-bhasin/) > [The element of surprise is the most important thing and what keeps me interested in writing. I can feel it if I've written that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/the-element-of-surprise-is-the-most-important-thing-and-what-keeps-me/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [The element of surprise wasn't allowed near the Periodic Table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/the-element-of-surprise-wasn-t-allowed-near-the-periodic-table/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [“So much for the element of surprise,” I said. She sniffed. “I’d rather have the element of naked threat any day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-r-green/so-much-for-the-element-of-surprise-i-said-she-sniffed-i-d-rather/) [Simon R. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-r-green/) > [What I always got excited about with 'Arrested Development' was the element of surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hale/what-i-always-got-excited-about-with-arrested-development-was-the/) [Tony Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hale/) > [It's that element of surprise. When you lose control, you discover new things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-lanois/it-s-that-element-of-surprise-when-you-lose-control-you-discover-new/) [Daniel Lanois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-lanois/) > [That element of surprise is what I look for when I am writing. It is my way of judging what I am doing -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-s-naipaul/that-element-of-surprise-is-what-i-look-for-when-i-am-writing-it-is/) [V. S. Naipaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-s-naipaul/) > [When I go to the cinema, I'm often frustrated because I can guess exactly what is going to happen about ten minutes into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-leone/when-i-go-to-the-cinema-i-m-often-frustrated-because-i-can-guess/) [Sergio Leone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-leone/) > [The element of surprise - where you think you know where a joke is going, and then you're wrong. Those are my favorite kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riki-lindhome/the-element-of-surprise-where-you-think-you-know-where-a-joke-is/) [Riki Lindhome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riki-lindhome/) > [The director Steve McQueen has found a way to constantly include the element of surprise in his work, both as an artist and as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/the-director-steve-mcqueen-has-found-a-way-to-constantly-include-the/) [Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/) > [I love the element of surprise, throwing people off of what they think they know about what I can do and who I am.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tyree-henry/i-love-the-element-of-surprise-throwing-people-off-of-what-they-think/) [Brian Tyree Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tyree-henry/) > [Life will be interesting only when there is an element of surprise in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamsalekha/life-will-be-interesting-only-when-there-is-an-element-of-surprise-in/) [Hamsalekha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamsalekha/) > [Element of surprise is really fun for me in comedy. I have to be surprised, and everything's been done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-galifianakis/element-of-surprise-is-really-fun-for-me-in-comedy-i-have-to-be/) [Zach Galifianakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-galifianakis/) > [If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-in-difficulties-with-a-book-try-the-element-of-surprise/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In fight, by 'knowing what to do next', element of surprise can be overcomed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/in-fight-by-knowing-what-to-do-next-element-of-surprise-can-be/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) ## More by Michael McDonald > [Beck is obviously a consummate musician. He plays instruments, many instruments. He can make his own record without having a fleet of computer operators…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/beck-is-obviously-a-consummate-musician-he-plays-instruments-many/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [I'd say that Ray Charles is definitely the biggest influence on my singing. Also Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/i-d-say-that-ray-charles-is-definitely-the-biggest-influence-on-my/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [Since the '60s, we've lived so much in an age of quick fixes that the culture itself has become a quick fix.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/since-the-60s-we-ve-lived-so-much-in-an-age-of-quick-fixes-that-the/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [Hey, I'd love to have a hit single, but if that doesn't happen, I'm not going to complain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/hey-i-d-love-to-have-a-hit-single-but-if-that-doesn-t-happen-i-m-not/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [I truly cherish the time and experience with friends that I have been making music with for so many years, even decades now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/i-truly-cherish-the-time-and-experience-with-friends-that-i-have-been/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [While making any record, you look for the opportunity to bring someone who will help generate something special in the music environments you create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/while-making-any-record-you-look-for-the-opportunity-to-bring-someone/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [I do love the Nat King Cole stuff, the classic Christmas records. There's something about putting those records on and hearing his voice at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/i-do-love-the-nat-king-cole-stuff-the-classic-christmas-records-there/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [I've always written short stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/i-ve-always-written-short-stories/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [I've always felt like the Forrest Gump of the music business. I've been fortunate to work with a lot of great people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/i-ve-always-felt-like-the-forrest-gump-of-the-music-business-i-ve/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [Rap is like any other genre: There are the people who are very creative with it and do remarkable things... and then there's that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/rap-is-like-any-other-genre-there-are-the-people-who-are-very/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [I wish I wrote songs like Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, Don Henley, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, so many of the songwriters I admire. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/i-wish-i-wrote-songs-like-donald-fagen-walter-becker-don-henley/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [Most of my life is taken up with family. It takes me awhile to get a record together that I feel is worthy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/most-of-my-life-is-taken-up-with-family-it-takes-me-awhile-to-get-a/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > ['Livin' on the Fault Line' was kind of a commercial disappointment for us, although it seemed to have a certain buzz with the smaller…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/livin-on-the-fault-line-was-kind-of-a-commercial-disappointment-for/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [We try to promote the Christmas season and remind people that it is a season of peace. That's what the season's real meaning is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/we-try-to-promote-the-christmas-season-and-remind-people-that-it-is-a/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [My wife is, by and large, the best thing that ever happened to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/my-wife-is-by-and-large-the-best-thing-that-ever-happened-to-me/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) [Explore all 99 Michael McDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) ## More Been quotes > [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 once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Here's the reality. The image of a white Jesus has been used to justify enslavement, conquest, colonialism, the genocide of indigenous peoples. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/here-s-the-reality-the-image-of-a-white-jesus-has-been-used-to/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Well, I've been politically involved for a really long time. Growing up in the segregated South, it was a very painful experience for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cybill-shepherd/well-i-ve-been-politically-involved-for-a-really-long-time-growing-up/) [Cybill Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cybill-shepherd/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [Windmills and solar cells are carbon-free sources of electricity. But they are costly. If you've been investing in those, give it up. That game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-fisher/windmills-and-solar-cells-are-carbon-free-sources-of-electricity-but/) [Kenneth Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-fisher/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I've always been a believer in research. It's great to have an instinctual human reaction to a character, too, of course, but it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/i-ve-always-been-a-believer-in-research-it-s-great-to-have-an/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) [Browse all 13,699 Been quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Throughout my career, there has always been an element of surprise. Sometimes there are moments of disappointment; sometimes there are moments of surprising success.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael McDonald" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/throughout-my-career-there-has-always-been-an-element-of-surprise/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Been" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/throughout-my-career-there-has-always-been-an-element-of-surprise/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/michael-mcdonald-6275_been_throughout-my-career-there-has-always-be_2545814.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/michael-mcdonald-6275_been_throughout-my-career-there-has-always-be_2545814.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/michael-mcdonald-6275_been_throughout-my-career-there-has-always-be_2545814.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Throughout my career, there has always been an element of surprise. Sometimes there are moments of…” — Michael McDonald", "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": "Michael McDonald", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Throughout my career, there has always...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/throughout-my-career-there-has-always-been-an-element-of-surprise/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/throughout-my-career-there-has-always-been-an-element-of-surprise/#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 } } ] } ```