--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So your first job is to work on yourself…" description: "\"So your first job is to work on yourself. The greatest thing you can do for another human being is to get your own house in order and find your true sp..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08a/ram-dass-784_can-do_so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself_2145826.png" --- # So your first job is to work on yourself. The greatest… ![“So your first job is to work on yourself. The greatest thing you can do for another human being is to get your own house in order and find your true spiritual heart.” quote by Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08a/ram-dass-784_can-do_so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself_2145826.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08a/ram-dass-784_can-do_so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself_2145826.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08a/ram-dass-784_can-do_so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself_2145826.png) > “So your first job is to work on yourself. The greatest thing you can do for another human being is to get your own house in order and find your true spiritual heart.” [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑work is the foundation for helping others effectively. **In simple terms:** Improve yourself first. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner balance before serving. Themes self‑improvement service spirituality Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - coaching - volunteering - leadership development Key Concepts mindfulness personal responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance self‑care with service? - What practices nurture your spiritual heart? A Different Perspective Self‑focus can become selfish. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-job/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Work On Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-on-yourself/) ## Related quotes > [“For in the average human house there is one hole by which money comes in and a hundred by which it goes out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/for-in-the-average-human-house-there-is-one-hole-by-which-money-comes/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [The God within is your Spiritual Heart. Your Soul. And in that individual Soul, rests God- rests the One. Go into your soul and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-god-within-is-your-spiritual-heart-your-soul-and-in-that/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The suffering is in the mind. The mind. In the mind. Witness it. From your spiritual heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-suffering-is-in-the-mind-the-mind-in-the-mind-witness-it-from/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [When you concentrate on the middle of your chest - this is where loving awareness lives. This is the spiritual heart. Not the beating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/when-you-concentrate-on-the-middle-of-your-chest-this-is-where-loving/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I get rid of the thoughts, and I get in my witness, which is down in my spiritual heart. The witness that witnesses being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/i-get-rid-of-the-thoughts-and-i-get-in-my-witness-which-is-down-in-my/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [“Work is the greatest thing in the world. So we should save some of it for tomorrow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-herold/work-is-the-greatest-thing-in-the-world-so-we-should-save-some-of-it/) [Don Herold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-herold/) > [“I have noted that those who desire to do the most good often work the greatest harm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-rider-haggard/i-have-noted-that-those-who-desire-to-do-the-most-good-often-work-the/) [H. Rider Haggard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-rider-haggard/) > [Work is the greatest thing in the world, so we should always save some of it for tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-herold/work-is-the-greatest-thing-in-the-world-so-we-should-always-save-some/) [Don Herold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-herold/) > [I can do nothing for you but work on myself...you can do nothing for me but work on yourself!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/i-can-do-nothing-for-you-but-work-on-myself-you-can-do-nothing-for-me/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [So you work on yourself as a gift to other human beings. Then you use every situation you have with other human beings as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/so-you-work-on-yourself-as-a-gift-to-other-human-beings-then-you-use/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Where you place your focus, there will be your Heart and that will be the Spiritual Heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-delano-hinkins/where-you-place-your-focus-there-will-be-your-heart-and-that-will-be/) [Roger Delano Hinkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-delano-hinkins/) > [Learn to drink as you pour, so the spiritual heart cannot run dry and you always have love to give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jaya/learn-to-drink-as-you-pour-so-the-spiritual-heart-cannot-run-dry-and/) [Ma Jaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jaya/) > [Love enters only one gates - the spiritual heart opened towards! And then the reciprocal wave of love arises in it, streaming outside. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-aleksandrovich-antonov/love-enters-only-one-gates-the-spiritual-heart-opened-towards-and/) [Vladimir Aleksandrovich Antonov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-aleksandrovich-antonov/) > [The idea of a spiritual heart transplant is a vivid image to me; once you have the heart of somebody else inside you, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-idea-of-a-spiritual-heart-transplant-is-a-vivid-image-to-me-once/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Separation happens in so many different dimensions. We see it everywhere. I believe we are all part of the spiritual heart. We all come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agapi-stassinopoulos/separation-happens-in-so-many-different-dimensions-we-see-it/) [Agapi Stassinopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agapi-stassinopoulos/) ## More by Ram Dass > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [This is the pathless path - returning to where you were initially before you got lost. The deepest truth in you is where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/this-is-the-pathless-path-returning-to-where-you-were-initially/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Souls love. That’s what souls do. Egos don’t, but souls do. Become a soul, look around, and you’ll be amazed-all the beings around you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/souls-love-that-s-what-souls-do-egos-don-t-but-souls-do-become-a-soul/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion--and where it isn't, that's where my work lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/i-would-like-my-life-to-be-a-statement-of-love-and-compassion-and/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The spiritual journey is individual, highly personal. It can't be organized or regulated. It isn't true that everyone should follow one path. Listen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-spiritual-journey-is-individual-highly-personal-it-can-t-be/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The person who says, 'I'm enlightened' probably isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-person-who-says-i-m-enlightened-probably-isn-t/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Accidents are just from where you're looking; to the ego, it looks like it's miracles and accidents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/accidents-are-just-from-where-you-re-looking-to-the-ego-it-looks-like/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Fear of death only comes through the brittleness of the ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/fear-of-death-only-comes-through-the-brittleness-of-the-ego/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Just because you are seeing divine light, experiencing waves of bliss, or conversing with Gods and Goddesses is no reason to not know your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/just-because-you-are-seeing-divine-light-experiencing-waves-of-bliss/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Along with faith comes the requirement for dogged persistence. At first meditation may bring you mild highs or some relief from suffering. But there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/along-with-faith-comes-the-requirement-for-dogged-persistence-at/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I help people as a way to work on myself, and I work on myself to help people ... to me, that's what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/i-help-people-as-a-way-to-work-on-myself-and-i-work-on-myself-to-help/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Old age spiritualizes people naturally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/old-age-spiritualizes-people-naturally/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The ego is a tool. You don't separate it. It's a tool for the spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-ego-is-a-tool-you-don-t-separate-it-it-s-a-tool-for-the-spirit/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [It's very hard to grow, because it's difficult to let go of the models of ourselves in which we've invested so heavily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/it-s-very-hard-to-grow-because-it-s-difficult-to-let-go-of-the-models/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [All that you seek is already within you. In Hinduism it is called the Atman, in Buddhism the pure Buddha-Mind. Christ said, 'the kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/all-that-you-seek-is-already-within-you-in-hinduism-it-is-called-the/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) [Explore all 369 Ram Dass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) ## More Can do quotes > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [If I had a million dollars, I just wouldn't just completely set back. I'd have to get out there and show my face to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muddy-waters/if-i-had-a-million-dollars-i-just-wouldn-t-just-completely-set-back-i/) [Muddy Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muddy-waters/) > [Anybody can be Prince Charming one day a year, with the dinner and the flowers and all that. But you know what impresses me?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-howard/anybody-can-be-prince-charming-one-day-a-year-with-the-dinner-and-the/) [Ryan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-howard/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The amount of things you can do with a kettlebell is unsurpassed by any other training equipment - dumbbells, resistance machines, free weights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/the-amount-of-things-you-can-do-with-a-kettlebell-is-unsurpassed-by/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [It's nice when you've done enough movies that you can do your own anthology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/it-s-nice-when-you-ve-done-enough-movies-that-you-can-do-your-own/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [If people don't have their own vision, all they can do is 'sign-up' for someone else's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/if-people-don-t-have-their-own-vision-all-they-can-do-is-sign-up-for/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) > [The one thing that flies in the face of all human history and experience, is that the government can do a superior job than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/the-one-thing-that-flies-in-the-face-of-all-human-history-and/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [...what I can do is offer myself, wholehearted and present, to walk with the people I love through the fear and the mess. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/what-i-can-do-is-offer-myself-wholehearted-and-present-to-walk-with/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [A professional is a man who can do his job when he doesn't feel like it. An amateur is a man who can't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-agate/a-professional-is-a-man-who-can-do-his-job-when-he-doesn-t-feel-like/) [James Agate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-agate/) > [The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, as it pleases him, for he can do all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/the-lord-gives-and-the-lord-takes-away-as-it-pleases-him-for-he-can/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [I'm not an educated man. I only know what I'm told, and I'm not told that much; I have no frame of reference for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/i-m-not-an-educated-man-i-only-know-what-i-m-told-and-i-m-not-told/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) Browse all 5,673 Can do quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "So your first job is to work on yourself. The greatest thing you can do for another human being is to get your own house in order and find your true spiritual heart.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ram Dass" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself-the-greatest-thing-you-can/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Can do" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself-the-greatest-thing-you-can/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08a/ram-dass-784_can-do_so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself_2145826.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08a/ram-dass-784_can-do_so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself_2145826.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08a/ram-dass-784_can-do_so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself_2145826.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“So your first job is to work on yourself. The greatest thing you can do for another human being is to get…” — Ram Dass", "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": "Ram Dass", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "So your first job is to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself-the-greatest-thing-you-can/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/so-your-first-job-is-to-work-on-yourself-the-greatest-thing-you-can/#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 } } ] } ```