Focus on the moment, not the monsters that may or may not be up ahead.
Ryan HolidayRead
The idea that only the swaggering, all-knowing, and ruthlessly ambitious succeed is a lie. One that has discouraged so many people with so much potential - and worse, encouraged many more to crash and burn.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success does not solely belong to those who are arrogant and overly ambitious; many with true potential are disheartened by this myth.
Ryan Holiday's quote challenges the misconception that only those who are aggressive and self-assured achieve success. It highlights the detrimental effects this myth has on individuals with great potential, discouraging them from pursuing their goals. Furthermore, it points out that such an ideal can lead to reckless behavior and ultimately failure for those who chase success without a true understanding of their own capabilities and values.
Themes
SuccessPotentialMythAmbitionDiscouragement
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to a group of students who fear they aren't 'ambitious' enough to succeed.
More from Ryan Holiday
All quotes βBeing criticized in the media is a good problem to have - most of the time. It means you're doing something that is at least interesting or cool or crazy enough to be noticed. It might not always feel good, but it's usually better than the alternative of obscurity.
Ryan HolidayRead
Virality, at its core, is asking someone to spend their social capital recommending or linking or posting about you for free.
Ryan HolidayRead
Ordinary people shy away form negative situations, just as they do with failure. They do their best to avoid trouble. What great people do is the opposite. They are their best in these situations. They turn personal tragedy or misfortune - really anything, everything - to their advantage.
Ryan HolidayRead
There is no good or bad without us, there is only perception. There is the event itself and the story we tell ourselves about what it means.
Ryan HolidayRead
Virality is not an accident. It is engineered. And that's why growth hackers beat traditional marketers.
Ryan HolidayRead
Similar quotes
Remember that, sooner or later, before it ever reaches perfection, you will have to let it go and move on and start to write the next thing. Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.
Neil GaimanRead
One of the great things about young entrepreneurs is that they don't know that something can't be done. So they try something that's so audacious and usually end up pulling it off.
Fred WilsonRead
The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work.
Thomas A. EdisonRead
They say when opportunity knocks you should let it in and invite it to sit at your table. F*** that -- when opportunity knocks, you should take it captive. Beat that s*** down. I've got opportunity tied to a chair in my basement with a ball gag in its mouth. Opportunity ain't even thinking about leaving my house. If you keep quiet for a second, you'll hear it whining.
Tracy MorganRead
My motto is very personal and may not fit anyone else or any other company. It is: Don't do anything that someone else can do. Don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.
Edwin LandRead
I could always hit. I learned to hit with a broomstick and a ball of tape and I could always get that bat on the ball.
Stan MusialRead