It's not enough to just be yourself. You must be your best self
Neil StraussRead
In life, people tend to wait for good things to come to them. And by waiting, they miss out. Usually, what you wish for doesn't fall in your lap; it falls somewhere nearby, and you have to recognize it, stand up, and put in the time and work it takes to get to it. This isn't because the universe is cruel. It's because the universe is smart. It has its own cat-string theory and knows we don't appreciate things that fall into our laps.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success requires proactive effort rather than passive waiting for opportunities.
The quote by Neil Strauss emphasizes the importance of taking initiative in life to achieve one's desires. It suggests that while people may wish for good things to happen, simply waiting for them to arrive can lead to missed opportunities. Instead, success requires recognizing opportunities nearby, standing up, and putting in the necessary effort to reach them. This perspective also implies that the universe, in its wisdom, does not simply deliver what we want but allows us the chance to earn and appreciate our achievements.
Themes
OpportunityEffortSuccessRecognitionWork
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech encouraging productivity in the workplace.
More from Neil Strauss
All quotes →To me, I think it's awesome to meet your heroes and find out who they are and where they came from and what made them choose to communicate in the form that connected with you.
Neil StraussRead
There are certain bad habits we've groomed our whole life -- from personality flaws to fashion faux pas. And it has been the role of parents and friends, outside of some minor tweaking, to reinforce the belief that we're okay just as we are. But it's not enough to just be yourself. You have to be your best self. And that's a tall order if you haven't found your best self yet.
Neil StraussRead
In fact, every woman I met seemed disposable and replaceable. I was experiencing seducer's paradox: The better a seducer I became, the less I loved women. Success was no longer defined by getting laid or finding a girlfriend, but by how well I performed.
Neil StraussRead
A lot of guys are very intimidated by an attractive woman, and they dehumanise her because our culture perceives beautiful women as commodities. But I think if you're able walk up to a person and get to know them, and you see their flaws and their impurities, and realise that they're like you, then you can humanise them again.
Neil StraussRead
One of the reasons I became a writer is that, unlike starting a band, directing movies, or acting in a theatrical production, you can do it alone. Your success and failure depend entirely on yourself.
Neil StraussRead
Similar quotes
All is well since all grows better
Andrew CarnegieRead
The bеѕt wау tо predict уоur future іѕ tо create it.
Peter DruckerRead
Give the American people a good cause, and there's nothing they can't lick.
John WayneRead
If you would attract good fortune, you must get rid of doubt. As long as that stands between you and your ambition, it will be a bar that will cut you off. You must have faith. No man can make a fortune while he is convinced that he can't.
Orison Swett MardenRead
Aspire, break bounds. Endeavor to be good, and better still, best.
Robert BrowningRead
I've always felt real blessed, especially to live in this country. If you dream hard and work hard, anything can happen here-I'm perfect proof.
Yogi BerraRead