--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I should have been trying to build a…" description: "\"I should have been trying to build a career, rather than leaving it in the hands of somebody else.\" — Ray Walston" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/ray-walston-31912_career_i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-car_3201681.jpg" --- # I should have been trying to build a career, rather than… ![“I should have been trying to build a career, rather than leaving it in the hands of somebody else.” quote by Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/ray-walston-31912_career_i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-car_3201681.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/ray-walston-31912_career_i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-car_3201681.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/ray-walston-31912_career_i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-car_3201681.jpg) > “I should have been trying to build a career, rather than leaving it in the hands of somebody else.” [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Relying on others for your career can undermine personal agency; proactive effort builds destiny. **In simple terms:** Take charge of your career. Key Takeaway Actively shape your professional path. Themes career self‑reliance initiative Mood motivational pragmatic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - job search - skill building - entrepreneurship - networking Key Concepts personal agency career development Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take today to advance your career? - How do you balance self‑initiative with collaboration? A Different Perspective External factors still affect outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) ## Related quotes > [Celebrate the excitement of trying build something new and wonderful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-banerjee/celebrate-the-excitement-of-trying-build-something-new-and-wonderful/) [Abhijit Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-banerjee/) > [I suppose I'm trying to build an architecture that's as timeless as possible, although we're all creatures of our age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chipperfield/i-suppose-i-m-trying-to-build-an-architecture-that-s-as-timeless-as/) [David Chipperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chipperfield/) > [I'm trying to build an empire, because after this, I cannot get a normal job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-polizzi/i-m-trying-to-build-an-empire-because-after-this-i-cannot-get-a/) [Nicole Polizzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-polizzi/) > [I think I've always just been trying to build my game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-i-ve-always-just-been-trying-to-build-my-game/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [The goal of a private company is, first, zero to one: Get past the product-market fit; figure out whether people actually care about what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chamath-palihapitiya/the-goal-of-a-private-company-is-first-zero-to-one-get-past-the-2/) [Chamath Palihapitiya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chamath-palihapitiya/) > [“A brick could be used as a symbol for the kind of life I’m trying to build. The question now is, what kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-as-a-symbol-for-the-kind-of-life-i-m-trying-to/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [I'm trying to build a brand. I'm not just doing one-off projects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-t-jackson/i-m-trying-to-build-a-brand-i-m-not-just-doing-one-off-projects/) [Brandon T. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-t-jackson/) > [I'm trying to build something where people will go every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-levchin/i-m-trying-to-build-something-where-people-will-go-every-day/) [Max Levchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-levchin/) > [We're trying to build the largest start-up ever without becoming a big company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-lutke/we-re-trying-to-build-the-largest-start-up-ever-without-becoming-a/) [Tobias Lutke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-lutke/) > [I'm not trying to build my own brand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/i-m-not-trying-to-build-my-own-brand/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [I'm trying to build a brand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trina/i-m-trying-to-build-a-brand/) [Trina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trina/) > [It's really lonely trying to build something by yourself. It's good to have thought partners to bounce ideas off of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/payal-kadakia/it-s-really-lonely-trying-to-build-something-by-yourself-it-s-good-to/) [Payal Kadakia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/payal-kadakia/) > [When you're doing something that hasn't been done before, and you're trying to build something that hasn't been built before on a platform that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelieu-dennis/when-you-re-doing-something-that-hasn-t-been-done-before-and-you-re/) [Richelieu Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelieu-dennis/) > [We were trying to build a car that would last, that had the quality of eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-delorean/we-were-trying-to-build-a-car-that-would-last-that-had-the-quality-of/) [John DeLorean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-delorean/) > [“Trying to build my dreams with what I have now, it's like building a forty-five story house with thirty-four bricks. (DoubleDuce.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-cometbus/trying-to-build-my-dreams-with-what-i-have-now-it-s-like-building-a/) Aaron Cometbus ## More by Ray Walston > [If it's not in New York, let's say it's in St. Louis, then they've got to find a place or get with someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/if-it-s-not-in-new-york-let-s-say-it-s-in-st-louis-then-they-ve-got/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I don't see all the movies that come out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-don-t-see-all-the-movies-that-come-out/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I feel that the thing that probably aided me the most in that scene with the dog was the utilization and using an actual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-feel-that-the-thing-that-probably-aided-me-the-most-in-that-scene/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [Talent will come out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/talent-will-come-out/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [You could walk the streets, no matter how hungry people were, not matter how long theyd been out of jobs, you could walk the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/you-could-walk-the-streets-no-matter-how-hungry-people-were-not/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I was very conscious of the actor; watched what he did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-was-very-conscious-of-the-actor-watched-what-he-did/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [But I would like to think that it's the actor that makes the difference in these cases. Not the director, not the guy that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/but-i-would-like-to-think-that-it-s-the-actor-that-makes-the/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I don't watch television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-don-t-watch-television/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I have worked with some very great directors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-have-worked-with-some-very-great-directors/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I love going on location, and the location was nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-love-going-on-location-and-the-location-was-nice/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I've often wondered, when they've done Of Mice And Men on stage, and I've seen it, how they did that gun thing. I've watched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-ve-often-wondered-when-they-ve-done-of-mice-and-men-on-stage-and-i/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I didn't study acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-didn-t-study-acting/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [If they're working in a workshop somewhere, where there is, let's say, uh... only twenty people, or something like that, that's still, when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/if-they-re-working-in-a-workshop-somewhere-where-there-is-let-s-say/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I suppose when I was a kid, and I went to movies, and later went to some plays on my own when I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-suppose-when-i-was-a-kid-and-i-went-to-movies-and-later-went-to/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) [Explore all 15 Ray Walston quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) ## More Career quotes > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [There are so many things you can do with your life, you can go to school and study toward your career, you can become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/there-are-so-many-things-you-can-do-with-your-life-you-can-go-to/) [Simphiwe Scientist Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/) > [I always knew I wanted to have a good career, so I made it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chord-overstreet/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-have-a-good-career-so-i-made-it-happen/) [Chord Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chord-overstreet/) > [I am a very big fan of Brian Eno, of his work as an artist and making his music, and as a producer. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rostam-batmanglij/i-am-a-very-big-fan-of-brian-eno-of-his-work-as-an-artist-and-making/) [Rostam Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rostam-batmanglij/) > [If I can beat a proven champion like Canelo, that will take my career to a different level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennady-golovkin/if-i-can-beat-a-proven-champion-like-canelo-that-will-take-my-career/) [Gennady Golovkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennady-golovkin/) > [My non-career. My excuse for a career? Honestly, I never think about the word 'career.' I've had managers, the minute they say it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/my-non-career-my-excuse-for-a-career-honestly-i-never-think-about-the/) [Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/) > [“The vocation of a man lies in his vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vocation-of-a-man-lies-in-his-vision/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/) [John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/) > [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-doubleday/growing-up-i-did-commercials-and-things-like-that-but-nothing-serious/) [Portia Doubleday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-doubleday/) > [You can have a career and kids who love you. But you have to nurture yourself and find a way to be fulfilled so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-reitman/you-can-have-a-career-and-kids-who-love-you-but-you-have-to-nurture/) [Catherine Reitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-reitman/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Even though I'm already successful and have a career, it is always good to have your eggs in more than one basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farrah-abraham/even-though-i-m-already-successful-and-have-a-career-it-is-always/) [Farrah Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farrah-abraham/) [Browse all 11,387 Career quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I should have been trying to build a career, rather than leaving it in the hands of somebody else.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ray Walston" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-career-rather-than-leaving-it-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Career" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-career-rather-than-leaving-it-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/ray-walston-31912_career_i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-car_3201681.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/ray-walston-31912_career_i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-car_3201681.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/ray-walston-31912_career_i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-car_3201681.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I should have been trying to build a career, rather than leaving it in the hands of somebody else.” — Ray Walston", "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": "Ray Walston", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I should have been trying to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-career-rather-than-leaving-it-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-should-have-been-trying-to-build-a-career-rather-than-leaving-it-in/#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 } } ] } ```