--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People tend to focus on the things that…" description: "\"“People tend to focus on the things that they don't like about themselves. While that's important for change, it's equally important to focus on what t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60f/tom-giaquinto-28514_balancing-act_people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that_3197854.jpg" --- # People tend to focus on the things that they don't like… ![“People tend to focus on the things that they don't like about themselves. While that's important for change, it's equally important to focus on what they love about themselves. For every one thing you dislike about yourself, think of five things you like about yourself. It's a balancing act.” quote by Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60f/tom-giaquinto-28514_balancing-act_people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that_3197854.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60f/tom-giaquinto-28514_balancing-act_people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that_3197854.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60f/tom-giaquinto-28514_balancing-act_people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that_3197854.jpg) > ““People tend to focus on the things that they don't like about themselves. While that's important for change, it's equally important to focus on what they love about themselves. For every one thing you dislike about yourself, think of five things you like about yourself. It's a balancing act.”” [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing self‑criticism with self‑appreciation improves mental health and motivation. **In simple terms:** Balance criticism with appreciation. Key Takeaway Practice five positive affirmations for each negative thought. Themes self‑esteem growth balance Mood reflective encouraging Type advice motivational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - personal journaling - coaching - daily self‑check Key Concepts cognitive reframing positive psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure honesty while focusing on strengths? - What habits can reinforce this balance? A Different Perspective May overlook genuine issues needing improvement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balancing act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balancing-act/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) ## Related quotes > [“I don't think it is so much the actual bath that most cats dislike; I think it's the fact that they have to spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-peterson/i-don-t-think-it-is-so-much-the-actual-bath-that-most-cats-dislike-i/) Debbie Peterson > [“I ignore Jaco Coote when I see him. I'm not sure why. It's not as if I dislike him or anything. I think I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/i-ignore-jaco-coote-when-i-see-him-i-m-not-sure-why-it-s-not-as-if-i/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) > [“The unmerited dislike of another made one think less of oneself. We are enlarged by the love of others; we are diminished by their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/the-unmerited-dislike-of-another-made-one-think-less-of-oneself-we/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [If there is one thing I dislike, it is the man who tries to air his grievances when I wish to air mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-there-is-one-thing-i-dislike-it-is-the-man-who-tries-to-air-his/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think spirituality is a good thing but I dislike any sort of dogmatic organization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-taylor/i-think-spirituality-is-a-good-thing-but-i-dislike-any-sort-of/) [Noah Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-taylor/) > [“To dislike a writer’s politics is one thing. To dislike him because he forces you to think is another, not necessarily incompatible with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/to-dislike-a-writer-s-politics-is-one-thing-to-dislike-him-because-he/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [I'm stupidly shy. It's the thing I dislike most about myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fallon/i-m-stupidly-shy-it-s-the-thing-i-dislike-most-about-myself/) [Jane Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fallon/) > [My responsibility is to fulfil what that natural thing is. The thing that I dislike about pop rock Top 40 music is that it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-morrison/my-responsibility-is-to-fulfil-what-that-natural-thing-is-the-thing/) [Van Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-morrison/) > [One thing I do dislike, are cowards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/y-lan-noel/one-thing-i-do-dislike-are-cowards/) [Y'lan Noel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/y-lan-noel/) > [WikiLeaks is a important focus of our attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-comey/wikileaks-is-a-important-focus-of-our-attention/) [James Comey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-comey/) > [The experiences that technology provides is very, very important, rather than just the backroom aspects of running things. It's just as important to focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-shapiro/the-experiences-that-technology-provides-is-very-very-important/) [Gary Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-shapiro/) > [We need a change of course in the European Union. The most important is the focus on the big questions and a European Union…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/we-need-a-change-of-course-in-the-european-union-the-most-important/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [When you're playing, it's important to focus 100 per cent on what you're doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ramsey/when-you-re-playing-it-s-important-to-focus-100-per-cent-on-what-you/) [Aaron Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ramsey/) > [Before we start making blanket statements about abolishing the IRS, I think it's important to focus on what the tax code for the 21st…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-boustany/before-we-start-making-blanket-statements-about-abolishing-the-irs-i/) [Charles Boustany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-boustany/) > [You realise this is life; there will be ups and downs. It is important to focus on your passions, devote time to your family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sussanne-khan/you-realise-this-is-life-there-will-be-ups-and-downs-it-is-important/) [Sussanne Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sussanne-khan/) ## More by Tom Giaquinto > [“Humanity has more in common than the differences that separate us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/humanity-has-more-in-common-than-the-differences-that-separate-us/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“Kindness trumps everything. Kind people are magnets for all of the good things in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/kindness-trumps-everything-kind-people-are-magnets-for-all-of-the/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“It's an amazing experience when you focus on the positive things in your life. Things start to change. You become happier. You see things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/it-s-an-amazing-experience-when-you-focus-on-the-positive-things-in/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“Sometimes you just have to jump in a mud puddle because it's there. Never get so old that you forget about having fun.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/sometimes-you-just-have-to-jump-in-a-mud-puddle-because-it-s-there/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“Every night I tell my children all of the things that I love about them. I tell them how proud I am of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/every-night-i-tell-my-children-all-of-the-things-that-i-love-about/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“Making this a better world happens one person at a time. You cannot force your beliefs on anyone. Rather, be the example that others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/making-this-a-better-world-happens-one-person-at-a-time-you-cannot/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“We change the world a little each day with our kindness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/we-change-the-world-a-little-each-day-with-our-kindness/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“There is so much beauty in the world, but you must allow yourself to see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/there-is-so-much-beauty-in-the-world-but-you-must-allow-yourself-to/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“Living the dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/living-the-dream/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“PATH TO SUCCESS: DREAM. PLAN. DO. FAIL. NEVER GIVE UP. FAIL. NEVER GIVE UP. FAIL. NEVER GIVE UP. ACHIEVE! IT'S A MESSY JOURNEY.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/path-to-success-dream-plan-do-fail-never-give-up-fail-never-give-up/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“Sometimes, there is a lot of darkness in this world. As I see it, you have two choices. You can be a part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/sometimes-there-is-a-lot-of-darkness-in-this-world-as-i-see-it-you/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“Life can be frustrating sometimes. Take a nap, exercise, meditate or do whatever it takes to 'reboot' your thinking. Happiness is just a thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/life-can-be-frustrating-sometimes-take-a-nap-exercise-meditate-or-do/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“You always need to work hard. You always need to be willing to work hard. Not everything will be hard, but you should, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/you-always-need-to-work-hard-you-always-need-to-be-willing-to-work/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“Think about how much better this world would be if people would just smile at each other more often...You don't have to talk; you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/think-about-how-much-better-this-world-would-be-if-people-would-just/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) > [“Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/diversity-is-a-strength-not-a-weakness/) [Tom Giaquinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) [Explore all 19 Tom Giaquinto quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/) ## More Balancing act quotes > [“I once asked you what anxiety felt like, and you told me that most days left you riddled with bullet holes. Every morning came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-s/i-once-asked-you-what-anxiety-felt-like-and-you-told-me-that-most/) d.a.s > [Communication is a continual balancing act, juggling the conflicting needs for intimacy and independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/communication-is-a-continual-balancing-act-juggling-the-conflicting/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [“It’s what we wrestle with every single day. The intersection of comfort, danger, and safety. The balancing act between vulnerability and shame. The opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/it-s-what-we-wrestle-with-every-single-day-the-intersection-of/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Trying to be a socialist and a libertarian is obviously a very difficult balancing act, which nobody has pulled off too successfully in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hare/trying-to-be-a-socialist-and-a-libertarian-is-obviously-a-very/) [David Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hare/) > [We are all trying to balance our careers and children and give as much of ourselves and our time to them. You work and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-preston/we-are-all-trying-to-balance-our-careers-and-children-and-give-as/) [Kelly Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-preston/) > [And will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/and-will-you-succeed-yes-you-will-indeed/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [When you listen to the music, you can also see the film or read the article, and it's all part of the same journey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-crowe/when-you-listen-to-the-music-you-can-also-see-the-film-or-read-the/) [Cameron Crowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-crowe/) > [“Life is a balancing act that can be fun if you let it. Appreciation and striving both have a vital role in your well-being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-a-balancing-act-that-can-be-fun-if-you-let-it-appreciation/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The last one's hard. Marriage is always a balancing act, and it's never a good idea for one partner to get too big a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/the-last-one-s-hard-marriage-is-always-a-balancing-act-and-it-s-never/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [I love the idea that 'a person is a person no matter how small'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/i-love-the-idea-that-a-person-is-a-person-no-matter-how-small/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [My one concern is that Hu Jintao may overestimate how much power China has in Pyongyang. They have - they do have influence, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-gates/my-one-concern-is-that-hu-jintao-may-overestimate-how-much-power/) [Robert M. Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-gates/) > [Communication is a continualbalancing act, juggling the conflicting needs for intimacyand independence. To survivein the world, we have to act in concert with others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/communication-is-a-continualbalancing-act-juggling-the-conflicting/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [We're going to sing about things that matter to us. The balancing act is to present these ideas but also make the music exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/we-re-going-to-sing-about-things-that-matter-to-us-the-balancing-act/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [“Even when we can pinpoint “something good” that came out of a tragedy, it never balances out what we have lost. How could anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-custis-james/even-when-we-can-pinpoint-something-good-that-came-out-of-a-tragedy/) [Carolyn Custis James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-custis-james/) > [Redistributing tokens is a balancing act. In most cases, forks probably want to keep ownership for users constant so users have at least the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-ehrsam/redistributing-tokens-is-a-balancing-act-in-most-cases-forks-probably/) [Fred Ehrsam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-ehrsam/) [Browse all 111 Balancing act quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balancing-act/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“People tend to focus on the things that they don't like about themselves. While that's important for change, it's equally important to focus on what they love about themselves. For every one thing you dislike about yourself, think of five things you like about yourself. It's a balancing act.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Giaquinto" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that-they-don-t-like-about/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Balancing act" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that-they-don-t-like-about/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60f/tom-giaquinto-28514_balancing-act_people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that_3197854.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60f/tom-giaquinto-28514_balancing-act_people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that_3197854.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60f/tom-giaquinto-28514_balancing-act_people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that_3197854.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People tend to focus on the things that they don't like about themselves. While that's important for change…” — Tom Giaquinto", "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": "Tom Giaquinto", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-giaquinto/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“People tend to focus on the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that-they-don-t-like-about/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-giaquinto/people-tend-to-focus-on-the-things-that-they-don-t-like-about/#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 } } ] } ```