I'm not doing anything, and yet I'm also doing the most important thing a man can do: I'm listening to what I needed to hear from myself.
Paulo CoelhoRead
I love almost everything about my work except conferences. I am too shy in front of an audience. But I love signings and having eye contact with a reader who already knows my soul.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a mixed feeling about work, highlighting a dislike for public speaking but a love for connecting with readers.
In this quote, Paulo Coelho shares his ambivalent feelings towards different aspects of his work as a writer. While he enjoys the process of writing and the rewarding moments of engaging with readers one-on-one, he admits to feeling shy and uncomfortable in larger public settings like conferences. This reflects a common struggle many people face: the contrast between the joy of their work and the challenges of public engagement.
Themes
WorkShynessReadersConnectionConferences
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote when discussing the challenges of public speaking in a workplace setting.
More from Paulo Coelho
All quotes βEach stone, each bend cries welcome to him. He identifies with the mountains and the streams, he sees something of his own soul in the plants and the animals and the birds of the field.
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We need to clear our minds of bad thoughts.
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Having the courage to take the steps we always wanted to take is the only way of showing that we trust in God.
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The fool who loves giving advice on our garden never tends his own plants
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Sometimes the Warrior feels as if he were living two lives at once.
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