--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My definition of success is not having…" description: "\"My definition of success is not having things thrown at me!\" — Orson Welles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/orson-welles-1628_definition-of-succes_my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-t_1981453.jpg" --- # My definition of success is not having things thrown at me! ![“My definition of success is not having things thrown at me!” quote by Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/orson-welles-1628_definition-of-succes_my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-t_1981453.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/orson-welles-1628_definition-of-succes_my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-t_1981453.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/orson-welles-1628_definition-of-succes_my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-t_1981453.jpg) > “My definition of success is not having things thrown at me!” [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success should be earned through proactive effort, not passive receipt of opportunities. **In simple terms:** Earn success, don’t wait for it. Key Takeaway Take initiative, shape your own path. Themes success agency proactivity Mood motivational determined Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - creative projects - job hunting - personal development Key Concepts self‑determination career strategy Questions to Reflect On - What actions can you take today toward your goals? - How do you measure proactive success? A Different Perspective Passive expectations can lead to stagnation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Definition of success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definition-of-success/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [The ultimate definition of success is: you could lose everything that you have and truly be okay with it. Your happiness isn't based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hsieh/the-ultimate-definition-of-success-is-you-could-lose-everything-that/) [Tony Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hsieh/) > [There isn't a formal definition of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-sosa/there-isn-t-a-formal-definition-of-success/) [Ernest Sosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-sosa/) > [Conclusions are based in time. We live in time. So any definition of success is bound up with time. With other things you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/conclusions-are-based-in-time-we-live-in-time-so-any-definition-of/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [I do hip-hop music, and I've gotten famous off of hip-hop music, and I know that I'm successful, and I've created my own definition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hopsin/i-do-hip-hop-music-and-i-ve-gotten-famous-off-of-hip-hop-music-and-i/) [Hopsin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hopsin/) > [“God wants each and every one of us to succeed, provided that our definition of success is right. God wants us to reach our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newberry-tommy/god-wants-each-and-every-one-of-us-to-succeed-provided-that-our/) [Newberry, Tommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newberry-tommy/) > [This idea of doing it all is the enemy of equality, not the path to do it. It's impossible to do two full-time jobs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/this-idea-of-doing-it-all-is-the-enemy-of-equality-not-the-path-to-do/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [For Builders, the real definition of success is a life and work that brings personal fulfillment and lasting relationships and makes a difference in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-i-porras/for-builders-the-real-definition-of-success-is-a-life-and-work-that/) [Jerry I. Porras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-i-porras/) > [“Making others' lives easier is my definition of success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-bekoe/making-others-lives-easier-is-my-definition-of-success/) [Marion Bekoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-bekoe/) > [“One woman's definition of success may not be another's. Is success, as the world defines it, an accomplishment in a society this sick?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-lynn-hope/one-woman-s-definition-of-success-may-not-be-another-s-is-success-as/) [Donna Lynn Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-lynn-hope/) > [My definition of success is to live your life in a way that causes you to feel a ton of pleasure and very little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/my-definition-of-success-is-to-live-your-life-in-a-way-that-causes/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [I try to be professional; I try to be on time. I don't take anything I have for granted. That's my definition of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena-gomez/i-try-to-be-professional-i-try-to-be-on-time-i-don-t-take-anything-i/) [Selena Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selena-gomez/) > [“It is necessary to prepare, to plan, so that we don't fritter away our lives. Without a goal, there can be no real success.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/it-is-necessary-to-prepare-to-plan-so-that-we-don-t-fritter-away-our/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“One definition of success is achieving what your haters don't want you to achieve. Them wanting you not to achieve it means it's worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-zeyara/one-definition-of-success-is-achieving-what-your-haters-don-t-want/) Mohammed Zeyara > [The definition of success for me is happiness. If you aren't happy then nothing can make you feel successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonu-kakkar/the-definition-of-success-for-me-is-happiness-if-you-aren-t-happy/) [Sonu Kakkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonu-kakkar/) > [My definition of success? The more you are actively and practically engaged, the more successful you will feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/my-definition-of-success-the-more-you-are-actively-and-practically/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) ## More by Orson Welles > [The two things you cannot do effectively on stage are pray and copulate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/the-two-things-you-cannot-do-effectively-on-stage-are-pray-and/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [There are a thousand ways of playing a good classic. If it were effective, I would play Hamlet on a trapeze.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/there-are-a-thousand-ways-of-playing-a-good-classic-if-it-were/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [I am essentially a hack, a commercial person. If I had a hobby, I would immediately make money on it or abandon it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/i-am-essentially-a-hack-a-commercial-person-if-i-had-a-hobby-i-would/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [The essential is to excite the spectators. If that means playing Hamlet on a flying trapeze or in an aquarium, you do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/the-essential-is-to-excite-the-spectators-if-that-means-playing/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [There are three intolerable things in life - cold coffee, lukewarm champagne, and overexcited women...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/there-are-three-intolerable-things-in-life-cold-coffee-lukewarm/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [I'm extremely surprised to learn that a story, which has become familiar to children through the medium of comic strips and many succeeding novels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/i-m-extremely-surprised-to-learn-that-a-story-which-has-become/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [I hate women, hate them generally, not in particular but in an abstract way. I hate them because one never really learns anything about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/i-hate-women-hate-them-generally-not-in-particular-but-in-an-abstract/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [When television came along, I'd already done more than 10 years of radio work and I thought everyone would want me. I sat around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/when-television-came-along-i-d-already-done-more-than-10-years-of/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [Look at the real prodigies, and I look like nothing compared to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/look-at-the-real-prodigies-and-i-look-like-nothing-compared-to-them/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [The laws and the stage, both are a form of exhibitionism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/the-laws-and-the-stage-both-are-a-form-of-exhibitionism/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [In the theater there are 1,500 cameras rolling at the same time - in the cinema, only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/in-the-theater-there-are-1-500-cameras-rolling-at-the-same-time-in/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [In Italy, for 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/in-italy-for-30-years-under-the-borgias-they-had-warfare-terror/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [I would rather be on the set than doing anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/i-would-rather-be-on-the-set-than-doing-anything/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [I prefer people who rock the boat to people who jump out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/i-prefer-people-who-rock-the-boat-to-people-who-jump-out/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [If I don't like somebody's looks, I don't like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/if-i-don-t-like-somebody-s-looks-i-don-t-like-them/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) [Explore all 218 Orson Welles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) ## More Definition of success quotes > [“Without a clear definition of success, board discussions can become disjointed, with members focusing on different priorities and potentially conflicting agendas. It can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/without-a-clear-definition-of-success-board-discussions-can-become/) [Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/) > [I have two definitions of success - one on the basketball court and one in my personal life. In basketball, success means making my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/i-have-two-definitions-of-success-one-on-the-basketball-court-and-one/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) > [My definition of success is to live your life in a way that causes you to feel a ton of pleasure and very little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/my-definition-of-success-is-to-live-your-life-in-a-way-that-causes/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [The definition of success for me is happiness. If you aren't happy then nothing can make you feel successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonu-kakkar/the-definition-of-success-for-me-is-happiness-if-you-aren-t-happy/) [Sonu Kakkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonu-kakkar/) > [“One definition of success is achieving what your haters don't want you to achieve. Them wanting you not to achieve it means it's worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-zeyara/one-definition-of-success-is-achieving-what-your-haters-don-t-want/) Mohammed Zeyara > [“It is necessary to prepare, to plan, so that we don't fritter away our lives. Without a goal, there can be no real success.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/it-is-necessary-to-prepare-to-plan-so-that-we-don-t-fritter-away-our/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“We have only minimal control over the rewards for our work and effort - other people’s validation, recognition, rewards. It’s far better when doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/we-have-only-minimal-control-over-the-rewards-for-our-work-and-effort/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [Make treating yourself a priority and always remember your life is happening now. Don't put off all your dreams and pleasures to another day.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mireille-guiliano/make-treating-yourself-a-priority-and-always-remember-your-life-is/) [Mireille Guiliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mireille-guiliano/) > [There isn't a formal definition of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-sosa/there-isn-t-a-formal-definition-of-success/) [Ernest Sosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-sosa/) > [Conclusions are based in time. We live in time. So any definition of success is bound up with time. With other things you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/conclusions-are-based-in-time-we-live-in-time-so-any-definition-of/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [I try to be professional; I try to be on time. I don't take anything I have for granted. That's my definition of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena-gomez/i-try-to-be-professional-i-try-to-be-on-time-i-don-t-take-anything-i/) [Selena Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selena-gomez/) > [The ultimate definition of success is: you could lose everything that you have and truly be okay with it. Your happiness isn't based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hsieh/the-ultimate-definition-of-success-is-you-could-lose-everything-that/) [Tony Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hsieh/) > [“One woman's definition of success may not be another's. Is success, as the world defines it, an accomplishment in a society this sick?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-lynn-hope/one-woman-s-definition-of-success-may-not-be-another-s-is-success-as/) [Donna Lynn Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-lynn-hope/) > [“Making others' lives easier is my definition of success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-bekoe/making-others-lives-easier-is-my-definition-of-success/) [Marion Bekoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-bekoe/) > [“gratitude noun \\ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\\ 1. The word thrown in your face by people who covet what you want and believe that your lack of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/gratitude-noun-gra-t-t-d-ty-d-1-the-word-thrown-in-your-face-by/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) [Browse all 107 Definition of success quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definition-of-success/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My definition of success is not having things thrown at me!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Orson Welles" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-things-thrown-at-me/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Definition of success" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-things-thrown-at-me/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/orson-welles-1628_definition-of-succes_my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-t_1981453.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/orson-welles-1628_definition-of-succes_my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-t_1981453.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/orson-welles-1628_definition-of-succes_my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-t_1981453.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My definition of success is not having things thrown at me!” — Orson Welles", "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": "Orson Welles", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My definition of success is not...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-things-thrown-at-me/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/my-definition-of-success-is-not-having-things-thrown-at-me/#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 } } ] } ```