--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But the more I focused on my interests…" description: "\"“But the more I focused on my interests, the more it brought out things I liked about myself”\" — Raina Telgemeier" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/raina-telgemeier-29988_quote_but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-t_1343807.jpg" --- # But the more I focused on my interests, the more it… ![“But the more I focused on my interests, the more it brought out things I liked about myself” quote by Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/raina-telgemeier-29988_quote_but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-t_1343807.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/raina-telgemeier-29988_quote_but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-t_1343807.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/raina-telgemeier-29988_quote_but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-t_1343807.jpg) > ““But the more I focused on my interests, the more it brought out things I liked about myself”” [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing on personal interests reveals positive self‑traits, fostering self‑discovery and confidence. **In simple terms:** Pursuing interests uncovers personal strengths. Key Takeaway Explore passions, notice strengths. Themes self‑discovery confidence interest growth Mood encouraging optimistic Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - hobbies - education - career choices - mental health Key Concepts identity formation positive psychology creative expression Questions to Reflect On - What interests reveal about you? - How can you balance focus with openness? A Different Perspective Over‑focus can limit broader perspective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of my colleagues have been people with broad interests in economics, not just narrowly focused interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-peter-hansen/a-lot-of-my-colleagues-have-been-people-with-broad-interests-in/) [Lars Peter Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-peter-hansen/) > [“Nobody does anything for the good of others; but as he pursues his own interests, he is brought to work unwittingly for the benefit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/nobody-does-anything-for-the-good-of-others-but-as-he-pursues-his-own/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [I would say out of all the things I studied growing up, math was probably one of the things that I liked the least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hikaru-nakamura/i-would-say-out-of-all-the-things-i-studied-growing-up-math-was/) [Hikaru Nakamura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hikaru-nakamura/) > [Modeling was sort of a way to not work in a bar - it gave me time to really think about what I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-martin/modeling-was-sort-of-a-way-to-not-work-in-a-bar-it-gave-me-time-to/) [Stacy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-martin/) > [As I matured, the things that I liked influenced the music I wanted to make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonlock/as-i-matured-the-things-that-i-liked-influenced-the-music-i-wanted-to/) [Shonlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonlock/) > [I like to have around me the things I like today, not the things I once liked many years ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-robin-milne/i-like-to-have-around-me-the-things-i-like-today-not-the-things-i/) [Christopher Robin Milne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-robin-milne/) > [Some of the things I liked in my years as a student in workshops: the occasional in-class prompt; discussions about what it means to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-miller/some-of-the-things-i-liked-in-my-years-as-a-student-in-workshops-the/) [Mary J. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-miller/) > [One of the the things she most liked about the city -apart from all its obvious attractions, the theatre, the galleries, the exhilarating walks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-gregson/one-of-the-the-things-she-most-liked-about-the-city-apart-from-all/) [Julia Gregson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-gregson/) > [“There were so many things I liked. That was the awful thing about being alive: there were so many things one liked. The awful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-duncan/there-were-so-many-things-i-liked-that-was-the-awful-thing-about/) [Glen Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-duncan/) > [I liked the education. I liked people learning things all around me and I liked going to people's classes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-paley/i-liked-the-education-i-liked-people-learning-things-all-around-me/) [Grace Paley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-paley/) > [I definitely think my work comes from things that I liked as a kid, and things I still like now. Monsters and magic and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-selznick/i-definitely-think-my-work-comes-from-things-that-i-liked-as-a-kid/) [Brian Selznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-selznick/) > [Nothing lasts. So it's my belief, yes, I know a lot of the things that we liked didn't last, but maybe things we don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/nothing-lasts-so-it-s-my-belief-yes-i-know-a-lot-of-the-things-that/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [There have been some things I'd have liked to have changed if I could, on and off the field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicklas-bendtner/there-have-been-some-things-i-d-have-liked-to-have-changed-if-i-could/) [Nicklas Bendtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicklas-bendtner/) > [Of all things, I liked books best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-tesla/of-all-things-i-liked-books-best/) [Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/) > [“Narrow all your interests until your mind, heart, and body are focused on Jesus Christ.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/narrow-all-your-interests-until-your-mind-heart-and-body-are-focused/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) ## More by Raina Telgemeier > [When I sit down to begin penciling a page, most of the hard work for me is done. I can concentrate solely on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/when-i-sit-down-to-begin-penciling-a-page-most-of-the-hard-work-for/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [I've always believed in working hard, and I'm grateful that people seem to connect with the kinds of stories I'm passionate about telling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/i-ve-always-believed-in-working-hard-and-i-m-grateful-that-people/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [“Weird...something happens when you smile at people. They smile back”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/weird-something-happens-when-you-smile-at-people-they-smile-back/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [Typically, a book is published and gets one season in the sun. Eventually, you write another book, and maybe your old books get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/typically-a-book-is-published-and-gets-one-season-in-the-sun/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [New York is great for busy creative types. The city has a pulse that races, and you either keep up with it or you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/new-york-is-great-for-busy-creative-types-the-city-has-a-pulse-that/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [“Why did I ever ask for a sister”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/why-did-i-ever-ask-for-a-sister/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [All of the narration in 'Smile' is first-person. Most of the books that I grew up reading had first-person narrators for some reason. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/all-of-the-narration-in-smile-is-first-person-most-of-the-books-that/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [“drama is a good book”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/drama-is-a-good-book/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [I know how long it takes me to draw a page, how long it takes me to complete a project, how long I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/i-know-how-long-it-takes-me-to-draw-a-page-how-long-it-takes-me-to/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [I wanted to be into fashion, but I was never the kind of person who could keep up with fashion trends, and I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/i-wanted-to-be-into-fashion-but-i-was-never-the-kind-of-person-who/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [I used to rely on black-and-white, and while I was working on 'Smile,' I learned to adapt to color on my end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/i-used-to-rely-on-black-and-white-and-while-i-was-working-on-smile-i/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [I did keep detailed journals from about fifth grade on, and every so often as I was growing up, I would re-read them and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/i-did-keep-detailed-journals-from-about-fifth-grade-on-and-every-so/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [I was kind of a cross between Kristy and Mary Anne among 'The Baby-Sitters Club' characters. I was shy, but I was also kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/i-was-kind-of-a-cross-between-kristy-and-mary-anne-among-the-baby/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [Making comic adaptations means making a lot of choices - you need to adjust the pacing, the dialogue, and in this case, a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/making-comic-adaptations-means-making-a-lot-of-choices-you-need-to/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) > [Going to so many book events keeps me connected with my readership while constantly reminding me that all the long hours at the drawing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/going-to-so-many-book-events-keeps-me-connected-with-my-readership/) [Raina Telgemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) [Explore all 18 Raina Telgemeier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/) ## More Focused quotes > [They are focused on whether they can do something. They never think whether they should do something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/they-are-focused-on-whether-they-can-do-something-they-never-think/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [“If you're focused, you can't get bored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/if-you-re-focused-you-can-t-get-bored/) [Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/) > [All I'm focused on is playing my game. Everything else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/all-i-m-focused-on-is-playing-my-game-everything-else-will-take-care/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [I get pretty focused when I start working on something. And I drink a lot of water, way more than most people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-woodman/i-get-pretty-focused-when-i-start-working-on-something-and-i-drink-a/) [Nick Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-woodman/) > [Angela Merkel has been focused on the right things. She has focused on the interests of her citizens - and not just in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/angela-merkel-has-been-focused-on-the-right-things-she-has-focused-on/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [It is ironic since whenever I have met with our elected officials they are invariably thoughtful, well-meaning people. And yet collectively 90% of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergey-brin/it-is-ironic-since-whenever-i-have-met-with-our-elected-officials/) [Sergey Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergey-brin/) > [We're focused on providing innovations in software, driving the continuous improvement for a much better experience, and there's a lot going on here that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-re-focused-on-providing-innovations-in-software-driving-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I'm focused on the music. I think, as long as I keep making music just because I like to make it, people are gonna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bishop-nehru/i-m-focused-on-the-music-i-think-as-long-as-i-keep-making-music-just/) [Bishop Nehru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bishop-nehru/) > [I was focused on The Hunger Games movie with my director, with the studio, and with the cast and crew. We all just focused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-jacobson/i-was-focused-on-the-hunger-games-movie-with-my-director-with-the/) [Nina Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-jacobson/) > [Our thoughts are either focused on what's eternal, life-changing, and true, or lost in the details of our temporary, selfish, false beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/our-thoughts-are-either-focused-on-what-s-eternal-life-changing-and/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [I'm staying focused and clear about what I want in life, and I'm going to get it, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-brown/i-m-staying-focused-and-clear-about-what-i-want-in-life-and-i-m-going/) [Bobby Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-brown/) > [God puts you where God needs you. You are where you are supposed to be. The job you are doing may not be any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-kushner/god-puts-you-where-god-needs-you-you-are-where-you-are-supposed-to-be/) [Lawrence Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-kushner/) > [Consider developing your whole self with the same raw focus and intensity that you develop a particular skill set. Get focused. Go out, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-holden/consider-developing-your-whole-self-with-the-same-raw-focus-and/) [Anthony Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-holden/) > [Because YouTube is focused on a lot of different types of content at the same time, it has many opportunities, and the hardest thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kyncl/because-youtube-is-focused-on-a-lot-of-different-types-of-content-at/) [Robert Kyncl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kyncl/) > [At Epcot Center the Disney corporation has focused its attention on two things greatly in need of Disneyfication: the tedious future and the annoying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/at-epcot-center-the-disney-corporation-has-focused-its-attention-on/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) [Browse all 2,614 Focused quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But the more I focused on my interests, the more it brought out things I liked about myself”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Raina Telgemeier" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-the-more-it-brought-out-things/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Focused" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-the-more-it-brought-out-things/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/raina-telgemeier-29988_quote_but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-t_1343807.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/raina-telgemeier-29988_quote_but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-t_1343807.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/raina-telgemeier-29988_quote_but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-t_1343807.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“But the more I focused on my interests, the more it brought out things I liked about myself” — Raina Telgemeier", "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": "Raina Telgemeier", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-telgemeier/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“But the more I focused on...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-the-more-it-brought-out-things/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-telgemeier/but-the-more-i-focused-on-my-interests-the-more-it-brought-out-things/#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 } } ] } ```