“I have certain standards for myself so if something drops beneath that standard or if the opportunity doesn’t fit who I am authentically at my core — I don’t invest time where my brand isn’t respected or where what I have to offer isn’t appreciated.”
— T. D. Jakes · 1957 –Source: T.D. Jakes Talks: Second Chances, Humble Beginnings & Knowing Your Worth, Los Angeles Sentinel, Sept 21, 2016 · Check the source
Disputed attributionWhat we know
- What is documented
- The wording appears in a 2016 Los Angeles Sentinel interview report, supporting attribution to T. D. Jakes though the original transcript is not included here.
- What remains uncertain
- Credible but disputed: the quote is supported by a secondary report of a specific interview, yet no primary-source transcript was verified in this research.
Understanding the quote
This line makes a practical point: your time and reputation are choices to guard. It says refusal can be an act of discipline, not pride, and frames opportunities as something that must match your core identity before you invest.
The story behind it
T. D. Jakes is both a megachurch bishop and a media entrepreneur, so his language often mixes pulpit rhetoric with business-style talk about 'brand' and value.
Going further
- The era
- In 2016, during an interview about second chances and knowing your worth, Jakes used modern leadership language about boundaries and alignment.
- The thinking
- This comes from a practical, faith-infused empowerment approach: live by standards that honor your purpose and refuse offers that would compromise it.
- Key word
- Standards: personal rules that protect your time, reputation and purpose.
Three challenges to live it
In the app, you pick the one that fits your day, and in the evening you say how it went.
Write three non‑negotiable criteria for professional opportunities; for each, give a concrete example of an offer you would decline today.
Putting standards in writing makes boundaries actionable. Pairing each criterion with a real example turns a value into a decision you can actually make.
Reach out to one trusted person and describe a recent opportunity; ask whether, in their view, it fits your standards and why.
An outside perspective helps gauge fit with your identity. Saying your criteria aloud strengthens your ability to refuse offers that undermine your value.
Block a 30‑minute slot this week to evaluate each new request: list criteria, expected benefits, and a decision (yes/no/maybe).
A routine for reviewing requests protects time and prevents snap decisions. A standardized checklist aligns opportunities with your personal standards.
How often do you say yes to things that conflict with your core values?
Report an error
Does an attribution, a source or a translation look wrong? Tell us: every report is read, and the entry is corrected if needed.