Nick Hornby Quotes

Once you become self-conscious, there is no end to it; once you start to doubt, there is no room for anything else.

I'm sure acting is a deeply neurotic thing to do.

I really think insecurity is something that comes with being an actor - I don't know actors who aren't insecure. I do think I kind of lie to myself - there is a percentage of ego involved. And I don't say that's a bad thing - it's good to know that it's there whether we like it or not. But ego is like a lion that we have to keep under control.

I mean, sometimes I hate interviews because I always feel like I sound stupid.

I'm one of the world's most self-conscious people. I really have to struggle.

Inhibition is something I notice in hamstrung actors all the time. They can be wonderful up to a point and then become very self-conscious.

I've learned how my own perfectionism can cripple me.

I'm as crippled with doubt as the next actor.

Truthfully, you're not your audience, so all that self-consciousness and all that - it gets in the way of you actually just being the best thing in whatever thing that you're doing.

In fact most of what we call anxiety is overconcern about what someone thinks of you.

I really hate being self-conscious—and being conscious of being self-conscious

When you're playing poorly, you start thinking too much. That's when you confuse yourself.

I'm a total wreck. Afraid to let anyone near. Afraid they'll see the real me.

Every time I perform in front of people, no matter how well it goes, the next day, I feel humiliated.

And my fear of failure has been lifelong and deep. If you are what you do- and I think my parents may have accidentally given me this idea- and you do poorly, what then? It’s over; you’re wiped out. All those prophecies you heard in the dark have come true, and people can see the real you, see what a schmendrick you are, what a fraud.

I think most actors . . . We are insecure, in general. I think to be an actor, you need to have an ego, but then, our ego is our worst enemy.

I've worked with Jack Nicholson and Robert De Niro and Tom Hanks. I've worked with some really good directors: Woody Allen, Paul Schrader... My God, I've really worked with a lot of people. But I'm intimidated by them, and I'm always thinking, "Oh, my God, he's not going to like me, and I'm going to get fired."

I enjoy performing, always, but when you're taping a gig, you've got to blank out this mass apparatus of self-consciousness that's surrounding you, this invitation to drown in self-consciousness. Otherwise you just won't be able to do anything.

I just have a harder time, I think, feeling close to people without self consciousness.

Sometimes I think I'm the craziest person on the planet.

I'd been shy since childhood, constantly full of self-doubt. And as an actor, I'd been so scared of failing that I made my career - and myself - a big joke.

I think you're not a human being unless you have doubts and fears.

Maybe I should pretend like I'm not insecure, but I really am. This movie is going to come out and... will people like it? Will they like Rey?

I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.

I always get nervous when I watch what I'm in. Very self-critical.