--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: if you take action just for the sake of…" description: "\"“if you take action just for the sake of doing it, without expecting a reward, you will find that you enjoy every action you do. Rewards will come, but..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/miguel-ruiz-3193_reward_if-you-take-action-just-for-the-sake-of_276594.jpg" --- # if you take action just for the sake of doing it, without… ![“if you take action just for the sake of doing it, without expecting a reward, you will find that you enjoy every action you do. Rewards will come, but you are not attached to the reward.” quote by Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/miguel-ruiz-3193_reward_if-you-take-action-just-for-the-sake-of_276594.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/miguel-ruiz-3193_reward_if-you-take-action-just-for-the-sake-of_276594.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/miguel-ruiz-3193_reward_if-you-take-action-just-for-the-sake-of_276594.jpg) > ““if you take action just for the sake of doing it, without expecting a reward, you will find that you enjoy every action you do. Rewards will come, but you are not attached to the reward.”” [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting without expectation of reward leads to intrinsic enjoyment; external rewards may follow, but they should not be the focus. **In simple terms:** Do things for their own sake. Key Takeaway Practice selfless action. Themes motivation reward mindfulness Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical self‑help When to use this quote - personal development - creative work - volunteering - habit formation Key Concepts intrinsic motivation detachment psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance intrinsic joy with practical needs? - What practices help maintain non‑attachment? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on detachment can cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Reward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reward/) ## Related quotes > [Doing your best is taking the action because you love it, not because you're expecting a reward. Most people do the exact opposite: They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/doing-your-best-is-taking-the-action-because-you-love-it-not-because/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-woolley/but-love-your-enemies-do-good-to-them-and-lend-to-them-without/) [Michele Woolley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-woolley/) > [When we can do nothing else, we can still love, without expecting any reward or change or gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/when-we-can-do-nothing-else-we-can-still-love-without-expecting-any/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [I enjoy action movies - it's the kind of space I'm comfortable with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikitin-dheer/i-enjoy-action-movies-it-s-the-kind-of-space-i-m-comfortable-with/) [Nikitin Dheer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikitin-dheer/) > [I think there's certain things that I know in my head that I enjoy: action movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-till/i-think-there-s-certain-things-that-i-know-in-my-head-that-i-enjoy/) [Lucas Till](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-till/) > [My son does enjoy my action films. But the women in my family would be happier if I did socially relevant films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suniel-shetty/my-son-does-enjoy-my-action-films-but-the-women-in-my-family-would-be/) [Suniel Shetty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suniel-shetty/) > [ “Research shows that levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine surge when the brain is expecting a reward.\[xi\] Introducing variability multiplies the effect, creating a focused… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/research-shows-that-levels-of-the-neurotransmitter-dopamine-surge/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [Father monks, why do you fast! Why do you expect reward in heaven for that?...No, saintly monk, you try being virtuous in the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/father-monks-why-do-you-fast-why-do-you-expect-reward-in-heaven-for/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Doing your best is taking the action because you love it, not because you're expecting a reward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/doing-your-best-is-taking-the-action-because-you-love-it-not-because-2/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [“You see," he said, "that's reward enough; you see, you see.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-traubel/you-see-he-said-that-s-reward-enough-you-see-you-see/) Horace Traubel > [“If you give up, you reward failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/if-you-give-up-you-reward-failure/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [When I'm working on something and I get to the point where I feel it getting interesting, that's my reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-peter-lindstr-m/when-i-m-working-on-something-and-i-get-to-the-point-where-i-feel-it/) [Hans-Peter Lindstrøm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-peter-lindstr-m/) > [It's a sport about risk and reward. It's a sport about becoming a legend. You look at guys that have stepped up on last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyron-woodley/it-s-a-sport-about-risk-and-reward-it-s-a-sport-about-becoming-a/) [Tyron Woodley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyron-woodley/) > [I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-the-great/i-like-to-praise-and-reward-loudly-to-blame-quietly/) [Catherine the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-the-great/) > [The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-highest-reward-that-god-gives-us-for-good-work-is-the-ability-to/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) ## More by Miguel Ruiz > [“If you are impeccable with your word, if you don’t take anything personally, if you don’t make assumptions, if you always do your best,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/if-you-are-impeccable-with-your-word-if-you-don-t-take-anything/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth. We could swear they are real.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/the-problem-with-making-assumptions-is-that-we-believe-they-are-the/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“Under any circumstance, always do your best, no more and no less. But keep in mind that your best is never going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/under-any-circumstance-always-do-your-best-no-more-and-no-less-but/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“The big difference between a warrior and a victim is that the victim represses, and the warrior refrains. Victims repress because they are afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/the-big-difference-between-a-warrior-and-a-victim-is-that-the-victim/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“All of humanity is searching for truth, justice, and beauty. We are on an eternal search for the truth because we only believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/all-of-humanity-is-searching-for-truth-justice-and-beauty-we-are-on/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/find-the-courage-to-ask-questions-and-to-express-what-you-really-want/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“It is very interesting how the human mind works. We have the need to justify everything, to explain and understand everything, in order to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/it-is-very-interesting-how-the-human-mind-works-we-have-the-need-to/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“Even when a situation seems so personal, even if others insult you directly, it has nothing to do with you. What they say, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/even-when-a-situation-seems-so-personal-even-if-others-insult-you/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“You don’t need to worship idols of the Virgin Mary, the Christ, or the Buddha. You can if you want to; if it feels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/you-don-t-need-to-worship-idols-of-the-virgin-mary-the-christ-or-the/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“The warrior has awareness...we are aware that we are at war , and the war in our minds requires discipline. Not the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/the-warrior-has-awareness-we-are-aware-that-we-are-at-war-and-the-war/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“The happiest moments in our lives are when we are playing just like children, when we are singing and dancing, when we are exploring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/the-happiest-moments-in-our-lives-are-when-we-are-playing-just-like/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“Gossip is black magic because it spreads emotional poison, perpetuates fear, and keeps others down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/gossip-is-black-magic-because-it-spreads-emotional-poison-perpetuates/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“How can you ask for something you don't think you deserve?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/how-can-you-ask-for-something-you-don-t-think-you-deserve/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“Tener fe es creer incondicionalmente.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/tener-fe-es-creer-incondicionalmente/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [“Gossiping has become the main form of communication in human society. It has become the way we feel close to each other, because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/gossiping-has-become-the-main-form-of-communication-in-human-society/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) [Explore all 123 Miguel Ruiz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) ## More Reward quotes > [The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-highest-reward-that-god-gives-us-for-good-work-is-the-ability-to/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-the-great/i-like-to-praise-and-reward-loudly-to-blame-quietly/) [Catherine the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-the-great/) > [It's a sport about risk and reward. It's a sport about becoming a legend. You look at guys that have stepped up on last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyron-woodley/it-s-a-sport-about-risk-and-reward-it-s-a-sport-about-becoming-a/) [Tyron Woodley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyron-woodley/) > [When I'm working on something and I get to the point where I feel it getting interesting, that's my reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-peter-lindstr-m/when-i-m-working-on-something-and-i-get-to-the-point-where-i-feel-it/) [Hans-Peter Lindstrøm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-peter-lindstr-m/) > [“If you give up, you reward failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/if-you-give-up-you-reward-failure/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [“You see," he said, "that's reward enough; you see, you see.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-traubel/you-see-he-said-that-s-reward-enough-you-see-you-see/) Horace Traubel > [The reward is in doing, but doing without expecting anything...doing unselfishly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-reward-is-in-doing-but-doing-without-expecting-anything-doing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Do not expect human beings to reward you, don't even think about it, just LOVE, because you know at the end of the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-sanchez/do-not-expect-human-beings-to-reward-you-don-t-even-think-about-it/) [Bo Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-sanchez/) > [There are challenges on this path of life but then we must understand that it is a journey well worth the effort because its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/there-are-challenges-on-this-path-of-life-but-then-we-must-understand/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [The world more often rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-la-rochefoucauld/the-world-more-often-rewards-the-appearance-of-merit-than-merit-itself/) [Francois La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-la-rochefoucauld/) > [At a certain point, we need to figure out how to reward those who choose a path that offers, often, almost no reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/at-a-certain-point-we-need-to-figure-out-how-to-reward-those-who/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a Thousand Points of Light...We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-w-bush/we-can-find-meaning-and-reward-by-serving-some-higher-purpose-than/) [George H. W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) > [Everybody loves to spend money at least some of the time - because everybody loves the stuff you can buy with it. The key…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-kluger/everybody-loves-to-spend-money-at-least-some-of-the-time-because/) [Jeffrey Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-kluger/) > [Happiness is the reward of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/happiness-is-the-reward-of-virtue/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [We need to reward the 'thankless job' of substitute teaching with better pay and chances for permanent positions. I look forward to the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/we-need-to-reward-the-thankless-job-of-substitute-teaching-with/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) [Browse all 957 Reward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reward/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“if you take action just for the sake of doing it, without expecting a reward, you will find that you enjoy every action you do. 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