You need courage to be creative. You need the courage to see things differently, courage to go against the crowd, courage to take a different approach, courage to stand alone, if you have to, courage to choose activity over inactivity.
Human beings are the only creatures who have the ability to write down their goals and design their future. And here is why most of us don't. We're trapped either by regret of the past or the routine of the present.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the unique human capacity to plan for the future while warning against being hindered by past regrets and present routines.
Jim Rohn's quote highlights the distinctive ability of humans to articulate their aspirations and intentionally shape their futures. He contrasts this potential with the common human tendency to become ensnared by past experiences and the monotony of daily life, which can prevent us from recognizing and pursuing our goals. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of the importance of actively engaging with our future rather than being passive recipients of our past and present.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth and taking action.
More from Jim Rohn
All quotes →It isn’t what the book costs. It’s what it will cost you if you don’t read it.
Don't wish for less problems; wish for more skills.
The major value of reaching goals is not to acquire it, but it's the person you become while you're working to acquire it.
Faith is the ability to see things that don't yet exist. Faith, though, can turn difficulty into reality, positive reality.
Leaders must understand that some people will inevitably sell out to the evil side. Don't waste your time wondering why; spend your time discovering who.
Similar quotes
Policies change, and programs change, according to time.But objective never changes. You might change your method of achieving the objective, but the objective never changes. Our objective is complete freedom, complete justice, complete equality, by any means necessary
No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could find ways to relax for at least five minutes every hour, you’d be more productive.
I was raised with the idea that you can feel sorry for yourself, but then, get over it, because it doesn't get you anywhere. There was always this awareness that you have to be responsible for yourself in order to have what you want
Strength is the product of struggle, you must do what others don't to achieve what others won't.
For years, I always thought it was hilarious that I was this fitness guru, because fitness was just a tool I utilized to help people improve their confidence. For me, it's never been about fitness. It's always been about helping to empower people.
It's only when you risk failure that you discover things. When you play it safe, you're not expressing the utmost of your human experience.