--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can intentionally choose to spend…" description: "\"You can intentionally choose to spend more time with the people you enjoy most and engage your strengths as much as possible.\" — Tom Rath" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/tom-rath-3501_choose_you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-mo_2875554.png" --- # You can intentionally choose to spend more time with the… ![“You can intentionally choose to spend more time with the people you enjoy most and engage your strengths as much as possible.” quote by Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/tom-rath-3501_choose_you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-mo_2875554.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/tom-rath-3501_choose_you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-mo_2875554.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/tom-rath-3501_choose_you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-mo_2875554.png) > “You can intentionally choose to spend more time with the people you enjoy most and engage your strengths as much as possible.” [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choose to spend time with people you enjoy and align activities with your strengths for greater fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Prioritize enjoyable company and strengths‑based tasks. Key Takeaway Align daily life with strengths and preferred relationships. Themes well‑being relationships strengths choice fulfillment Mood inspirational practical Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - career planning - friendship building - volunteer work - personal development Key Concepts positive psychology self‑determination theory Questions to Reflect On - What activities make you feel most alive? - How can you balance strengths with needed challenges? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on strengths can neglect growth in weaker areas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Strengths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strengths/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Most people intentionally choose to hurt us and we can also choose not to respond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/most-people-intentionally-choose-to-hurt-us-and-we-can-also-choose/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [“You can't rely on others—especially your managers and clients—to engage your strengths. In an ideal world, managers would constantly be thinking about how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-belsky/you-can-t-rely-on-others-especially-your-managers-and-clients-to/) [Scott Belsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-belsky/) > [For most people, an hour a day playing our favorite games will power up our ability to engage whole-heartedly with difficult challenges, strengthen our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mcgonigal/for-most-people-an-hour-a-day-playing-our-favorite-games-will-power/) [Jane McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mcgonigal/) > [Figure out what you really love doing and use your strengths on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/figure-out-what-you-really-love-doing-and-use-your-strengths-on-a/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > ['StrengthsFinder 2.0' is an effort to get the core message and language out to a much broader audience. We had no idea how well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/strengthsfinder-2-0-is-an-effort-to-get-the-core-message-and-language/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I'm pretty nice. I'm far from an ax murderer. I've never been mean to anyone in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hurley/i-m-pretty-nice-i-m-far-from-an-ax-murderer-i-ve-never-been-mean-to/) [Elizabeth Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hurley/) > [Most people dream a dream when they are asleep. But to be a writer, you have to dream while you are awake, intentionally. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/most-people-dream-a-dream-when-they-are-asleep-but-to-be-a-writer-you/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I have no permanent enemies - only people I have yet to persuade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lamm/i-have-no-permanent-enemies-only-people-i-have-yet-to-persuade/) [Richard Lamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lamm/) > [I've never been intimidated by anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-liddell/i-ve-never-been-intimidated-by-anyone/) [Chuck Liddell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-liddell/) > [I've always been extremely conservative, but I've never been mean-spirited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-salmon/i-ve-always-been-extremely-conservative-but-i-ve-never-been-mean/) [Matt Salmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-salmon/) > [Music is there for us to explore. 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It's always been very respectful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rey-mysterio/i-ve-never-had-any-prima-donna-attitude-against-me-it-s-always-been/) [Rey Mysterio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rey-mysterio/) > [“In any case, if they don't do it to you, they do it to someone else...if you let them do it to others, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gioconda-belli/in-any-case-if-they-don-t-do-it-to-you-they-do-it-to-someone-else-if/) [Gioconda Belli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gioconda-belli/) > [It was never my intention to hurt people's feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-watters/it-was-never-my-intention-to-hurt-people-s-feelings/) [Jesse Watters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-watters/) > [I've never done anybody any harm in my entire life. No need to chase girls, I've thousands of them on Top Of The Pops,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-savile/i-ve-never-done-anybody-any-harm-in-my-entire-life-no-need-to-chase/) [Jimmy Savile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-savile/) ## More by Tom Rath > [Every day, I read about new ideas and research that could help someone I care about live a longer and healthier life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/every-day-i-read-about-new-ideas-and-research-that-could-help-someone/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I've seen people be effective, even among local teams, by offering something that improves wellbeing in a small way - people who get passionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-ve-seen-people-be-effective-even-among-local-teams-by-offering/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/what-great-leaders-have-in-common-is-that-each-truly-knows-his-or-her/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [If you want people to understand that you value their contributions and that they are important, the recognition and praise you provide must have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/if-you-want-people-to-understand-that-you-value-their-contributions/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [On average, spending time with your boss is consistently rated as the least pleasurable activity in a given day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/on-average-spending-time-with-your-boss-is-consistently-rated-as-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“Once your brain initially processes something, you are less likely to retain the information if you are not physically active in the period following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/once-your-brain-initially-processes-something-you-are-less-likely-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I would absolutely recommend against excessive positivity and optimism. Any positive emotion that you're infusing into a workplace needs to be grounded in reality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-would-absolutely-recommend-against-excessive-positivity-and/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The vast knowledge we have to prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses is staggering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-vast-knowledge-we-have-to-prevent-cancer-heart-disease-and-other/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Positive defaults protect you from yourself - and that helps you to make decisions in the moment that are better for your long-term interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/positive-defaults-protect-you-from-yourself-and-that-helps-you-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Making better choices takes work. There is a daily give and take, but it is worth the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/making-better-choices-takes-work-there-is-a-daily-give-and-take-but/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Having fewer unhealthy days and, in turn, more days when you have the energy to get things done is probably the global constant through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/having-fewer-unhealthy-days-and-in-turn-more-days-when-you-have-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Even if people just change two or three things that they are able to sustain over time, it makes quite a difference eventually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/even-if-people-just-change-two-or-three-things-that-they-are-able-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [People with high levels of wellbeing have been careful to work out early in the morning and not to have heavy meals throughout the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/people-with-high-levels-of-wellbeing-have-been-careful-to-work-out/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The absence of high-quality friendships is bad for your health, spirits, productivity, and longevity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-absence-of-high-quality-friendships-is-bad-for-your-health/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I'm a researcher, so I'm realistic that there's nothing I'm doing that's going to prevent me from getting cancer in the future. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-m-a-researcher-so-i-m-realistic-that-there-s-nothing-i-m-doing-that/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) [Explore all 129 Tom Rath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## More Choose quotes > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [If somebody asks me to choose a biopic, it would be Narain Karthikeyan because I love racing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naga-chaitanya/if-somebody-asks-me-to-choose-a-biopic-it-would-be-narain-karthikeyan/) [Naga Chaitanya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naga-chaitanya/) > [“Either you soften your ego, or the world will do it for you. Choose!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/either-you-soften-your-ego-or-the-world-will-do-it-for-you-choose/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [I'm aware of who I am and I'm comfortable with who I choose to date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shibani-dandekar/i-m-aware-of-who-i-am-and-i-m-comfortable-with-who-i-choose-to-date/) [Shibani Dandekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shibani-dandekar/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [If you choose to work at a larger company over a smaller company, you are more likely to be higher paid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-sweet/if-you-choose-to-work-at-a-larger-company-over-a-smaller-company-you/) [Julie Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-sweet/) > [You can't choose what stays and what stays away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-welch/you-can-t-choose-what-stays-and-what-stays-away/) [Florence Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-welch/) > [It's only a thought and a thought can be changed. Choose good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-s-only-a-thought-and-a-thought-can-be-changed-choose-good-ones/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime...so you gotta choose who is good for you! Be wise, be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-come-into-your-life-for-a-reason-a-season-or-a-lifetime-so-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not opposed - we manufacture a lot of socks in North Carolina - I just choose not to wear them. It's a Southern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-burr/i-m-not-opposed-we-manufacture-a-lot-of-socks-in-north-carolina-i/) [Richard Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-burr/) > [Having too many options is bad. I want one person, just one. Not a whole bunch to choose from,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roderickthefirst/having-too-many-options-is-bad-i-want-one-person-just-one-not-a-whole/) RoderickTheFirst > [If I could be anyone, I'd choose the lead singer of Arcade Fire, Win Butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kardashian/if-i-could-be-anyone-i-d-choose-the-lead-singer-of-arcade-fire-win/) [Rob Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-kardashian/) > [People are as happy as they choose to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/people-are-as-happy-as-they-choose-to-be/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) Browse all 3,851 Choose quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can intentionally choose to spend more time with the people you enjoy most and engage your strengths as much as possible.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Rath" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-more-time-with-the-people-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choose" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-more-time-with-the-people-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/tom-rath-3501_choose_you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-mo_2875554.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/tom-rath-3501_choose_you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-mo_2875554.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/tom-rath-3501_choose_you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-mo_2875554.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can intentionally choose to spend more time with the people you enjoy most and engage your strengths as…” — Tom Rath", "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 Rath", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can intentionally choose to spend...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-more-time-with-the-people-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/you-can-intentionally-choose-to-spend-more-time-with-the-people-you/#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 } } ] } ```