--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My thing was always trying to do as much…" description: "\"My thing was always trying to do as much as I possibly could do. I wanted to do all the things the other kids did in the neighborhood.\" — Stevie Wonder" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/stevie-wonder-2107_always-trying_my-thing-was-always-trying-to-do-as-much_134149.jpg" --- # My thing was always trying to do as much as I possibly… ![“My thing was always trying to do as much as I possibly could do. I wanted to do all the things the other kids did in the neighborhood.” quote by Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/stevie-wonder-2107_always-trying_my-thing-was-always-trying-to-do-as-much_134149.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/stevie-wonder-2107_always-trying_my-thing-was-always-trying-to-do-as-much_134149.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/stevie-wonder-2107_always-trying_my-thing-was-always-trying-to-do-as-much_134149.jpg) > “My thing was always trying to do as much as I possibly could do. I wanted to do all the things the other kids did in the neighborhood.” [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desire to match peers leads to overcommitment and burnout. **In simple terms:** Trying to do everything can be exhausting. Key Takeaway Focus on what truly matters. Themes peer pressure ambition burnout Mood reflective motivational Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - school projects - extracurriculars - family expectations Key Concepts self‑efficacy social comparison Questions to Reflect On - What activities truly fulfill you? - How can you set realistic limits? A Different Perspective Overloading can reduce quality and happiness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-trying/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Neighborhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighborhood/) ## Related quotes > [Other kids did drugs; I did crafts. I never knew where I fit in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathie-lee-gifford/other-kids-did-drugs-i-did-crafts-i-never-knew-where-i-fit-in/) [Kathie Lee Gifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathie-lee-gifford/) > [Kids did anybody pray for giant shoes!?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-flanders/kids-did-anybody-pray-for-giant-shoes/) [Ned Flanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-flanders/) > [When I was 11 yrs old I was walking down the st with my friends; there were 5 kids who were staring at me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah/when-i-was-11-yrs-old-i-was-walking-down-the-st-with-my-friends-there/) [Sarah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah/) > [As kids, we did see the Disney movies and the kids' adventure stories of the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-coen/as-kids-we-did-see-the-disney-movies-and-the-kids-adventure-stories/) [Ethan Coen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-coen/) > [ “She looked at the kids, who did not see \[them\] because they were past the age of twenty-five...” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/she-looked-at-the-kids-who-did-not-see-them-because-they-were-past/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [If the kids did want to get into showbiz then so be it, but I would never project anything on to my children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadie-frost/if-the-kids-did-want-to-get-into-showbiz-then-so-be-it-but-i-would/) [Sadie Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadie-frost/) > [The last thing my kids ever did to earn money was lose their baby teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-diller/the-last-thing-my-kids-ever-did-to-earn-money-was-lose-their-baby/) [Phyllis Diller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-diller/) > [I never played a musical instrument growing up but I knew kids who did and took it very seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-james/i-never-played-a-musical-instrument-growing-up-but-i-knew-kids-who/) [Kevin James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-james/) > [“kids could and did swim in it happily as in their native element, at least until some teacher or professor told them they had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/kids-could-and-did-swim-in-it-happily-as-in-their-native-element-at/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [I was growing up in the suburbs; I was one of eight kids. So I did have a community when I was younger, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/i-was-growing-up-in-the-suburbs-i-was-one-of-eight-kids-so-i-did-have/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [Cindy had two kids. We did manage to keep playing and doing summer tours with the Go-Gos, the Pretenders, and Blondie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-pierson/cindy-had-two-kids-we-did-manage-to-keep-playing-and-doing-summer/) [Kate Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-pierson/) > [We hung out on the streets, played stickball, and did all of the things that other kids did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-cousy/we-hung-out-on-the-streets-played-stickball-and-did-all-of-the-things/) [Bob Cousy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-cousy/) > [I just wanted friends. I just wanted people to like me. I just wanted for things to be simple and good. So, for five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-just-wanted-friends-i-just-wanted-people-to-like-me-i-just-wanted/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I was kind of a selfish child, who always wanted things his way, and I've kind of taken that over into my relationship with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/i-was-kind-of-a-selfish-child-who-always-wanted-things-his-way-and-i/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [My whole life, I've wanted things before I was ready. I was always pushing for the next job, the next success. I was so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/my-whole-life-i-ve-wanted-things-before-i-was-ready-i-was-always/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) ## More by Stevie Wonder > [I'm glad I'm blind and can't see it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/i-m-glad-i-m-blind-and-can-t-see-it/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Law and order comes from having respect for one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/law-and-order-comes-from-having-respect-for-one-another/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [I think honestly, some people who think they're gay, they're confused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/i-think-honestly-some-people-who-think-they-re-gay-they-re-confused/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [I'm living a life. I have nine children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/i-m-living-a-life-i-have-nine-children/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Did you know that true love asks for nothing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/did-you-know-that-true-love-asks-for-nothing/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Different artists are talking about the laws that exist and how they need to be fixed so that compensation does happen to a far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/different-artists-are-talking-about-the-laws-that-exist-and-how-they/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Oh, thank you love With all my heart and soul I thank you love Each day that comes and goes I thank you love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/oh-thank-you-love-with-all-my-heart-and-soul-i-thank-you-love-each/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Use your heart to love somebody. And If your heart is big enough, use your heart to love EVERYBODY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/use-your-heart-to-love-somebody-and-if-your-heart-is-big-enough-use/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [ I love Aretha \[Franklin\] and I've loved her all my life. I think she's an incredible songstress, obviously. She consistently has had this incredible… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/i-love-aretha-franklin-and-i-ve-loved-her-all-my-life-i-think-she-s/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/mama-was-my-greatest-teacher-a-teacher-of-compassion-love-and/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [There are people who have let the problems of today lead them to conclude that for them life is not the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/there-are-people-who-have-let-the-problems-of-today-lead-them-to/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Why has there never been a holiday where peace is celebrated all throughout the world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/why-has-there-never-been-a-holiday-where-peace-is-celebrated-all/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Of course I read Braille, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/of-course-i-read-braille-yes/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [A frowning face can't bring out the beauty that you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/a-frowning-face-can-t-bring-out-the-beauty-that-you-are/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Music can measure how broad our horizons are. My mind wants to see to infinity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/music-can-measure-how-broad-our-horizons-are-my-mind-wants-to-see-to/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) [Explore all 186 Stevie Wonder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) ## More Always trying quotes > [I'm always trying to have a good time on set because that's when things happen. That's when you're playful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sarandon/i-m-always-trying-to-have-a-good-time-on-set-because-that-s-when/) [Susan Sarandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sarandon/) > [I think we're always trying to push ourselves to do new things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-preciado/i-think-we-re-always-trying-to-push-ourselves-to-do-new-things/) [Jaime Preciado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-preciado/) > [I'm always trying to remember that kindness goes a long, long way. I think that's something that people will definitely take out of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stuhlbarg/i-m-always-trying-to-remember-that-kindness-goes-a-long-long-way-i/) [Michael Stuhlbarg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stuhlbarg/) > [I like embracing kind of normal forms but am always trying to approach them as if no one's ever done that before. As if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/i-like-embracing-kind-of-normal-forms-but-am-always-trying-to/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [I'm always trying to change things - change my character, change my look, change my hair, change my facial hair, change my costumes, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-jericho/i-m-always-trying-to-change-things-change-my-character-change-my-look/) [Chris Jericho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-jericho/) > [I believe in believing. My coach John Kavanagh is a big atheist, and he is always trying to persuade people to his way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcgregor/i-believe-in-believing-my-coach-john-kavanagh-is-a-big-atheist-and-he/) [Conor McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcgregor/) > [My body and its condition are a barometer that is always trying to tell me which direction to go for my maximum creativity, health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-northrup/my-body-and-its-condition-are-a-barometer-that-is-always-trying-to/) [Christiane Northrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-northrup/) > [I'm always trying to do something active because I love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-agdal/i-m-always-trying-to-do-something-active-because-i-love-it/) [Nina Agdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-agdal/) > [ Innovation is not a big breakthrough invention every time. Innovation is a constant thing. But if you don't have an innovative company \[team\], coming… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/innovation-is-not-a-big-breakthrough-invention-every-time-innovation/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [I'm always trying to encourage people not to limit themselves in the same way that many of our parents stayed with one job forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-m-always-trying-to-encourage-people-not-to-limit-themselves-in-the/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) > [I think those of us who use language are always trying for this, trying to keep everything from floating away by trying to write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-ronk/i-think-those-of-us-who-use-language-are-always-trying-for-this/) [Martha Ronk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-ronk/) > [Your parents were always trying to get you to be careful when you were a kid, and that's all pervasive in this society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-weir/your-parents-were-always-trying-to-get-you-to-be-careful-when-you/) [Bob Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-weir/) > [I would not call myself an optimist, even though I would aspire to be. I am innately a skeptic. There's kind of an incessant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-would-not-call-myself-an-optimist-even-though-i-would-aspire-to-be/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) > [They say that to be a writer you must first have an unhappy childhood. I don't know if unhappiness is necessary, but I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-rylant/they-say-that-to-be-a-writer-you-must-first-have-an-unhappy-childhood/) [Cynthia Rylant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-rylant/) > [I was that overachieving, annoying kid who was always trying to win some contest or win the role. I look back on it now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-winstead/i-was-that-overachieving-annoying-kid-who-was-always-trying-to-win/) [Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-winstead/) [Browse all 232 Always trying quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-trying/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My thing was always trying to do as much as I possibly could do. 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