--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don’t look at other people and compare…" description: "\"Don’t look at other people and compare yourself. Just do the work. Because when the opportunity is there, you have to be ready. Make sure your craft is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c18/tika-sumpter-20051_auditions_don-t-look-at-other-people-and-compare-y_1671167.jpg" --- # Don’t look at other people and compare yourself. Just do… ![“Don’t look at other people and compare yourself. Just do the work. Because when the opportunity is there, you have to be ready. Make sure your craft is refined and you’re constantly working on it. Plow through the weeds. Go to the auditions and go to the meetings and be on time. Stop looking to…” quote by Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c18/tika-sumpter-20051_auditions_don-t-look-at-other-people-and-compare-y_1671167.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c18/tika-sumpter-20051_auditions_don-t-look-at-other-people-and-compare-y_1671167.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c18/tika-sumpter-20051_auditions_don-t-look-at-other-people-and-compare-y_1671167.jpg) > “Don’t look at other people and compare yourself. Just do the work. Because when the opportunity is there, you have to be ready. Make sure your craft is refined and you’re constantly working on it. Plow through the weeds. Go to the auditions and go to the meetings and be on time. Stop looking to the left or the right. Keep your head down and keep moving.” [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focus on personal preparation and consistent effort rather than comparing yourself to others; readiness meets opportunity. **In simple terms:** Prepare and work hard, ignore comparisons. Key Takeaway Cultivate skill and stay ready for chances. Themes self‑improvement discipline opportunity comparison Mood motivational determined Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - career development - creative auditions - sports training - academic pursuits Key Concepts growth mindset skill mastery timing Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to improve your craft daily? - How does staying out of others’ shadows help you? A Different Perspective Comparisons can distract and erode confidence, hindering progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Auditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/auditions/) [Crafts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crafts/) [Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Plow through the weeds. Go to the auditions and go to the meetings and be on time. Stop looking to the left or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/plow-through-the-weeds-go-to-the-auditions-and-go-to-the-meetings-and/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I think one of the most important lessons that I've learned is to put your head down and work. Don't look at other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-think-one-of-the-most-important-lessons-that-i-ve-learned-is-to-put/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [God has an extraordinary destiny in mind for you, as he does for all of us. God will never bring you an opportunity before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-franklin/god-has-an-extraordinary-destiny-in-mind-for-you-as-he-does-for-all/) [DeVon Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-franklin/) > [Success loves preparation. If the perfect opportunity is being presented itself today, you must grab it by all means,never leave any opportunity for next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/success-loves-preparation-if-the-perfect-opportunity-is-being/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [This rebuilding of New Orleans gives us the perfect opportunity to see if we're ready to extend the legacy of Dr. King.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/this-rebuilding-of-new-orleans-gives-us-the-perfect-opportunity-to/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [You always have to be thinking about your opportunity. You always have to be ready.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cassel/you-always-have-to-be-thinking-about-your-opportunity-you-always-have/) [Matt Cassel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cassel/) > [When you're a player, you've got to protect your investment, and that's you. Take the best opportunity you can to be ready to play,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/when-you-re-a-player-you-ve-got-to-protect-your-investment-and-that-s/) [Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/) > [The more you see, the more you're going to learn. Just got to take advantage of the opportunity and get ready to play ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezekiel-elliott/the-more-you-see-the-more-you-re-going-to-learn-just-got-to-take/) [Ezekiel Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezekiel-elliott/) > [Don't ever give up on your dream. Ever. The most valuable thing I have gained from this whole TMNT experience so far is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tohoru-masamune/don-t-ever-give-up-on-your-dream-ever-the-most-valuable-thing-i-have/) [Tohoru Masamune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tohoru-masamune/) > [Western doctors are like poor plumbers. They treat a splashing tub by cleaning up the water. These plumbers are extremely apt at drying up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-parsons-burkitt/western-doctors-are-like-poor-plumbers-they-treat-a-splashing-tub-by/) [Denis Parsons Burkitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-parsons-burkitt/) > [A contemporary artist can use the findings of all epochs and all styles, from the most primitive literary expressions up to the most refined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-goytisolo/a-contemporary-artist-can-use-the-findings-of-all-epochs-and-all/) [Juan Goytisolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-goytisolo/) > [No matter how well-born, how intelligent, how highly educated, how virtuous, how rich, how refined, the women of to-day constitutea political class below that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-corinna-putnam-jacobi/no-matter-how-well-born-how-intelligent-how-highly-educated-how/) [Mary Corinna Putnam Jacobi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-corinna-putnam-jacobi/) > [May be refined, and join the angelic train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillis-wheatley/may-be-refined-and-join-the-angelic-train/) [Phillis Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillis-wheatley/) > [What is commonly honored with the name of Friendship is no very profound or powerful instinct. Men do not, after all, love their Friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/what-is-commonly-honored-with-the-name-of-friendship-is-no-very/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Government is the agent of those who are too refined to do their own mugging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-sobran/government-is-the-agent-of-those-who-are-too-refined-to-do-their-own/) [Joseph Sobran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-sobran/) ## More by Tika Sumpter > [I have an eclectic pallet of music that I listen to. It depends on my mood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-have-an-eclectic-pallet-of-music-that-i-listen-to-it-depends-on-my/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I think most people write from what they see in their own world, which is maybe why we so often see an African-American woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-think-most-people-write-from-what-they-see-in-their-own-world-which/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I think the best part in going to the movies is you feel something and you relate whether its to family struggles or dimming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-think-the-best-part-in-going-to-the-movies-is-you-feel-something/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I love Motown, that whole era. Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson. I just put on Pandora, and put it on Motown, and it makes me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-love-motown-that-whole-era-marvin-gaye-smokey-robinson-i-just-put/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I'm an actress, model, and singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-m-an-actress-model-and-singer/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [My mom was an opera singer, and she gave up her career to raise a family. But she also taught my sisters how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/my-mom-was-an-opera-singer-and-she-gave-up-her-career-to-raise-a/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I know it's cliche to say, 'When you do something you love you never work a day in your life.' But it is true:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-know-it-s-cliche-to-say-when-you-do-something-you-love-you-never/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I feel most bossy in jeans, a white t-shirt, a leather jacket and some heels. I just feel bossy that way. I also feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-feel-most-bossy-in-jeans-a-white-t-shirt-a-leather-jacket-and-some/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [Working for Oprah is a dream come true. She was on my dream board for the longest time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/working-for-oprah-is-a-dream-come-true-she-was-on-my-dream-board-for/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I was signed to a record label when I was younger. I was in a group, and I just wasn't - personally, I wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-was-signed-to-a-record-label-when-i-was-younger-i-was-in-a-group/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I live by myself. I come in the door, I can throw my stuff on the floor. I can leave the dishes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-live-by-myself-i-come-in-the-door-i-can-throw-my-stuff-on-the-floor/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I want to do good, and I want people to be happy, and sometimes when you're a people pleaser, you spread yourself too thin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-want-to-do-good-and-i-want-people-to-be-happy-and-sometimes-when/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [Plow through the weeds. Go to the auditions and go to the meetings and be on time. Stop looking to the left or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/plow-through-the-weeds-go-to-the-auditions-and-go-to-the-meetings-and/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [I think one of the most important lessons that I've learned is to put your head down and work. Don't look at other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/i-think-one-of-the-most-important-lessons-that-i-ve-learned-is-to-put/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) > [On a personal level, you wear different masks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tika-sumpter/on-a-personal-level-you-wear-different-masks/) [Tika Sumpter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) [Explore all 31 Tika Sumpter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tika-sumpter/) ## More Actor quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don’t look at other people and compare yourself. Just do the work. Because when the opportunity is there, you have to be ready. Make sure your craft is refined and you’re constantly working on it. Plow through the weeds. Go to the auditions and go to the meetings and be on time. Stop looking to the left or the right. 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