--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think on some level, you do your best…" description: "\"I think on some level, you do your best things when you're a little off-balance, a little scared. You've got to work from mystery, from wonder, from no..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/willem-dafoe-4486_balance_i-think-on-some-level-you-do-your-best-t_1483664.jpg" --- # I think on some level, you do your best things when you're… ![“I think on some level, you do your best things when you're a little off-balance, a little scared. You've got to work from mystery, from wonder, from not knowing.” quote by Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/willem-dafoe-4486_balance_i-think-on-some-level-you-do-your-best-t_1483664.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/willem-dafoe-4486_balance_i-think-on-some-level-you-do-your-best-t_1483664.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/willem-dafoe-4486_balance_i-think-on-some-level-you-do-your-best-t_1483664.jpg) > “I think on some level, you do your best things when you're a little off-balance, a little scared. You've got to work from mystery, from wonder, from not knowing.” [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative work thrives when uncertainty and fear inspire curiosity and innovation. **In simple terms:** Being slightly off‑balance fuels great ideas. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty to spark creativity. Themes creativity fear wonder Mood thoughtful motivational Type creative psychological When to use this quote - artistic brainstorming - problem solving - personal growth Key Concepts uncertainty inspiration risk‑taking Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance fear and confidence? - What practices help you stay curious? A Different Perspective Too much fear may paralyze rather than motivate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Curiosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity/) [Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [Little Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-balance-5413679/) [Little Scared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-scared-663644/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery/) [Not knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-knowing/) [Scared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scared/) [Think Level](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-level-2635906/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) [Wonder Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder-knowing-2453485/) ## Related quotes > [Poems come out of wonder, not out of knowing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-clifton/poems-come-out-of-wonder-not-out-of-knowing/) [Lucille Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-clifton/) > [I think that the level playing field is so unlevel - it is tilted so much in favor of Chinese companies - that it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-baucus/i-think-that-the-level-playing-field-is-so-unlevel-it-is-tilted-so/) [Max Baucus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-baucus/) > [I think my level over the years has shown I am improving all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasper-schmeichel/i-think-my-level-over-the-years-has-shown-i-am-improving-all-the-time/) [Kasper Schmeichel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasper-schmeichel/) > [I would love to do something with Bill Withers just because I think he's next-level, just so, so class!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-capaldi/i-would-love-to-do-something-with-bill-withers-just-because-i-think/) [Lewis Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-capaldi/) > [I don't think that once you get to one level, you can relax. You've got to keep pushing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-bird/i-don-t-think-that-once-you-get-to-one-level-you-can-relax-you-ve-got/) [Larry Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-bird/) > [Curiosity takes ignorance seriously - and is confident enough to admit when it's in the dark. It is aware of not knowing. And then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/curiosity-takes-ignorance-seriously-and-is-confident-enough-to-admit/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [I guess after the whole success with 'Lean On' - me being introduced into this more mainstream audience - I was a little scared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo/i-guess-after-the-whole-success-with-lean-on-me-being-introduced-into/) [MO](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo/) > [She's a little scared to get close to anyone because everyone that said, I'll be here for you, … Left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/she-s-a-little-scared-to-get-close-to-anyone-because-everyone-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Little scared to ride wit'cha I don't even know your name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juicy-j/little-scared-to-ride-wit-cha-i-don-t-even-know-your-name/) [Juicy J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juicy-j/) > [Life is for the living. I was a little scared before surgery 'cause of the release you sign that says there's always a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-west/life-is-for-the-living-i-was-a-little-scared-before-surgery-cause-of/) [Billy West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-west/) > [“Most people are a little scared at new things ... You want a bigger heart to face danger which you go out to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buchan/most-people-are-a-little-scared-at-new-things-you-want-a-bigger-heart/) [John Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buchan/) > [Every time I see my life without basketball, I get a little scared, and I try to put a little more into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/every-time-i-see-my-life-without-basketball-i-get-a-little-scared-and/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [Shes a little scared to get close to anyone because everyone that said ill always be here for you left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/shes-a-little-scared-to-get-close-to-anyone-because-everyone-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Last year, I was sort of a kid and I was a little scared, I ain't scared any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-aaron/last-year-i-was-sort-of-a-kid-and-i-was-a-little-scared-i-ain-t/) [Hank Aaron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-aaron/) > [She is just a little scared to get close to people because everyone that said they would be there, left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/im-all-his/she-is-just-a-little-scared-to-get-close-to-people-because-everyone/) [Im\_all\_his](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/im-all-his/) ## More by Willem Dafoe > [I was doing community theater, and I was always interested in acting, but I was also interested in sports. I was interested in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-was-doing-community-theater-and-i-was-always-interested-in-acting/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I knew very little about 'Spider-Man'. I grew up more in the 'Superman' generation. 'Spider-Man' - I didn't know so much. But it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-knew-very-little-about-spider-man-i-grew-up-more-in-the-superman/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [When you have something to work with, then you fly with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/when-you-have-something-to-work-with-then-you-fly-with-it/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [When I was a kid I was very interested in the idea of the will, finding out what you're capable of. I liked those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/when-i-was-a-kid-i-was-very-interested-in-the-idea-of-the-will/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [Film is an editor's medium. You can create very good raw material and they can make it horrible, or you can do not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/film-is-an-editor-s-medium-you-can-create-very-good-raw-material-and/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I'm more interested in talking about what I do. And I don't think people are interested in my personal life. I've never had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-m-more-interested-in-talking-about-what-i-do-and-i-don-t-think/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [ Mounting those red stairs \[in Cannes\] is something I've done with a very different intention many times. So it's interesting any time you witness… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/mounting-those-red-stairs-in-cannes-is-something-i-ve-done-with-a/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [In films you do a scene, you play around with it and unless you're doing a lot of reshooting, which no one has the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/in-films-you-do-a-scene-you-play-around-with-it-and-unless-you-re/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [For every role, you have to always find a different way to approach it, one that's specific and suits what the key is. Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/for-every-role-you-have-to-always-find-a-different-way-to-approach-it/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [Celebrity is okay as long as you know it's not about you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/celebrity-is-okay-as-long-as-you-know-it-s-not-about-you/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [All the time, as an actor, you want to be asking what's next and where things are going. If you're not asking those questions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/all-the-time-as-an-actor-you-want-to-be-asking-what-s-next-and-where/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I'm learning in my old age that the only thing you can do to keep your sanity is to stay in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-m-learning-in-my-old-age-that-the-only-thing-you-can-do-to-keep/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I was watching 'Wild at Heart,' and I can honestly say I did nothing for that apart from show up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-was-watching-wild-at-heart-and-i-can-honestly-say-i-did-nothing-for/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [Truth is, generally I like film festivals; somewhere at some level there's an exchange of ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/truth-is-generally-i-like-film-festivals-somewhere-at-some-level/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I don't think people are interested in my personal life. I've never had a Hollywood life. I've always been a worker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-don-t-think-people-are-interested-in-my-personal-life-i-ve-never/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) [Explore all 110 Willem Dafoe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) ## More Balance quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [she got a reputation for an easy smile and a sharp tongue, and using one to balance the other, she seemed friendly but distant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/she-got-a-reputation-for-an-easy-smile-and-a-sharp-tongue-and-using/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [Life's unfairness is not irrevocable; we can help balance the scales for others, if not always for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/life-s-unfairness-is-not-irrevocable-we-can-help-balance-the-scales/) [Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/) > [“We don't need to strive towards balance, we rather need to work on the obstacles that are preventing the natural flow of balance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-alebraheem/we-don-t-need-to-strive-towards-balance-we-rather-need-to-work-on-the/) [A.A. Alebraheem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-alebraheem/) > [I think that kind of balance comes with the process of growing together as a band, the Little Dragon. We love to write, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/i-think-that-kind-of-balance-comes-with-the-process-of-growing/) [Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [At times of recession, running a budget deficit is highly desirable. Once the economy begins to recover, you have to balance the budget. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/at-times-of-recession-running-a-budget-deficit-is-highly-desirable/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [Once you've gotten your money in balance, you know how much you have to spend on things that are just fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/once-you-ve-gotten-your-money-in-balance-you-know-how-much-you-have/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [I never understood how much running changes your life. I'm now obsessed. When not trying to beat my personal best, I'm talking to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/i-never-understood-how-much-running-changes-your-life-i-m-now/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [Whatever needed to be done, I need to know how to do it just as well as my wife. You know, for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/whatever-needed-to-be-done-i-need-to-know-how-to-do-it-just-as-well/) [Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/) > [I don't think my parents would have let me go straight into acting full time when I was 12. I do like to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-don-t-think-my-parents-would-have-let-me-go-straight-into-acting/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [When it comes down to music, I have no balance. I am 100 percent. It is like full throttle. Five hundred miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/when-it-comes-down-to-music-i-have-no-balance-i-am-100-percent-it-is/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) [Browse all 5,166 Balance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think on some level, you do your best things when you're a little off-balance, a little scared. 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