--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not getting what you want that's the…" description: "\"It's not getting what you want that's the hard part, it's deciding what you want.\" — Alexandra Potter" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/alexandra-potter-9904_deciding_it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-th_662624.png" --- # It's not getting what you want that's the hard part, it's… ![“It's not getting what you want that's the hard part, it's deciding what you want.” quote by Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/alexandra-potter-9904_deciding_it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-th_662624.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/alexandra-potter-9904_deciding_it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-th_662624.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/alexandra-potter-9904_deciding_it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-th_662624.png) > “It's not getting what you want that's the hard part, it's deciding what you want.” [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Identifying desires is harder than achieving them; clarity precedes action. **In simple terms:** Knowing what you want is the hardest part. Key Takeaway Clarify desires before pursuing. Themes self‑discovery goal setting clarity Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - relationship goals - creative projects Key Concepts decision making values purpose Questions to Reflect On - What truly matters to you? - How can you simplify your choices? A Different Perspective Over‑analysis can stall decision‑making. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Getting what you want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-what-you-want/) [What you want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/what-you-want/) ## Related quotes > [Life is all about deciding which bridge to cross, and which bridge to burn. The hard part is deciding which is which.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/life-is-all-about-deciding-which-bridge-to-cross-and-which-bridge-to/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Manners are a way of getting what you want without appearing to be an absolute swine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/manners-are-a-way-of-getting-what-you-want-without-appearing-to-be-an/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Satisfaction isn't so much getting what you want as wanting what you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-myers/satisfaction-isn-t-so-much-getting-what-you-want-as-wanting-what-you/) [David Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-myers/) > [Sometimes, not getting what you want can be the most valuable experience of your entire life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/sometimes-not-getting-what-you-want-can-be-the-most-valuable/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [The first step to getting what you want is to have the courage to get rid of what you don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/the-first-step-to-getting-what-you-want-is-to-have-the-courage-to-get/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [... there are two ways of being unhappy. Not getting what you want is one. Getting what you want is the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/there-are-two-ways-of-being-unhappy-not-getting-what-you-want-is-one/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [The first secret of getting what you want is knowing what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-d-hlavaty/the-first-secret-of-getting-what-you-want-is-knowing-what-you-want/) [Arthur D. Hlavaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-d-hlavaty/) > [The first step in getting what you want from life-decide what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stein/the-first-step-in-getting-what-you-want-from-life-decide-what-you-want/) [Ben Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stein/) > [Fear has only two causes: the thought of losing what you have or the thought of not getting what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-katie/fear-has-only-two-causes-the-thought-of-losing-what-you-have-or-the/) [Byron Katie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-katie/) > [“Deciding what you want or who you want to be have a cost, before doing the either one, you must first decide whether you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taskinsoy/deciding-what-you-want-or-who-you-want-to-be-have-a-cost-before-doing/) [JOHN TASKINSOY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taskinsoy/) > [If you wake up deciding what you want to give versus what you're going to get, you become a more successful person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/if-you-wake-up-deciding-what-you-want-to-give-versus-what-you-re/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [One thing young people have to always keep in mind when deciding what they want to do with their lives is, is it fun?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-schieffer/one-thing-young-people-have-to-always-keep-in-mind-when-deciding-what/) [Bob Schieffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-schieffer/) > [In this age of getting what you want and getting it now, the simple pleasure of browsing is often forgotten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hodgkinson/in-this-age-of-getting-what-you-want-and-getting-it-now-the-simple/) [Tom Hodgkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hodgkinson/) > [It's not about getting what you want. It's about experiencing what you really need by becoming more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/it-s-not-about-getting-what-you-want-it-s-about-experiencing-what-you/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Happiness isn't about getting what you want all the time; it's about loving what you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asher-roth/happiness-isn-t-about-getting-what-you-want-all-the-time-it-s-about/) [Asher Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asher-roth/) ## More by Alexandra Potter > [“It was the feeling she'd had when Sam had first kissed her in the pub. When he'd first put his lips against her. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/it-was-the-feeling-she-d-had-when-sam-had-first-kissed-her-in-the-pub/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [You can't make yourself fall in love, just as you can't choose who you fall in love with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/you-can-t-make-yourself-fall-in-love-just-as-you-can-t-choose-who-you/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [Life can change in the blink of an eye. All you have is right now. So don’t ever put off telling someone how you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/life-can-change-in-the-blink-of-an-eye-all-you-have-is-right-now-so/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [“Everyone dreams of finding their soulmate. It's a universal quest. All over the world millions of people are looking for their true love, their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/everyone-dreams-of-finding-their-soulmate-it-s-a-universal-quest-all/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [My chest tightens: seeing him so upset breaks my own heart. 'Don't you ever wish you could make that bit go away?" I say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/my-chest-tightens-seeing-him-so-upset-breaks-my-own-heart-don-t-you/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > ["Maybe I just don't want another rejection," he shrugs. "I've had enough of that in my so-called acting career." Oh, so this is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/maybe-i-just-don-t-want-another-rejection-he-shrugs-i-ve-had-enough/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [consider the implications. We think we know what we want, but we can never really know until we've got it. And sometimes when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/consider-the-implications-we-think-we-know-what-we-want-but-we-can/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single girl in possession of her right mind must be in want of a decent man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/it-is-a-truth-universally-acknowledged-that-a-single-girl-in/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [And so taking the long way home through the market I slow my pace down. It doesn't come naturally. My legs are programmed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/and-so-taking-the-long-way-home-through-the-market-i-slow-my-pace/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [If you want a man who's commited, go look in a mental hospital.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/if-you-want-a-man-who-s-commited-go-look-in-a-mental-hospital/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [“Scooping up the dress, I slip it over my head, and as it cascades to the floor. I suck my stomach for all I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/scooping-up-the-dress-i-slip-it-over-my-head-and-as-it-cascades-to/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [Their eyes met. It had begun. They had begun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/their-eyes-met-it-had-begun-they-had-begun/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [“I pity you Juliet. You don't know what love is. You think it's Valentine's Day, and weekends in Italy. You think it's drinking champagne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/i-pity-you-juliet-you-don-t-know-what-love-is-you-think-it-s/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [“i thought love was about caring about someone day in and day out, about being there when it's fucking amazing, and still wanting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/i-thought-love-was-about-caring-about-someone-day-in-and-day-out/) [alexandra potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) > [Time has a funny way of airbrushing relationships, removing all the things that were wrong so when you look back it looks much better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/time-has-a-funny-way-of-airbrushing-relationships-removing-all-the/) [Alexandra Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) [Explore all 67 Alexandra Potter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/) ## More Deciding quotes > [It's very important to me that I look good when I go out publicly. I like looking at my clothes rack in the morning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-wintour/it-s-very-important-to-me-that-i-look-good-when-i-go-out-publicly-i/) [Anna Wintour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-wintour/) > [When a new idea comes our way, we must put it on our mental scales and weigh it carefully before deciding its value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/when-a-new-idea-comes-our-way-we-must-put-it-on-our-mental-scales-and/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [The hardest thing is deciding what I should tell you and what not to. Well, anyway, I've got a while yet before you're old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-connor/the-hardest-thing-is-deciding-what-i-should-tell-you-and-what-not-to/) [Sarah Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-connor/) > [One of the hardest parts of life is deciding to walk away or try harder...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-hardest-parts-of-life-is-deciding-to-walk-away-or-try/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My goal is to leave the producer with so many good takes, that he or she has a tough time deciding on the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-paulsen/my-goal-is-to-leave-the-producer-with-so-many-good-takes-that-he-or/) [Rob Paulsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-paulsen/) > [The work of deciding cases goes on every day in hundreds of courts throughout the land. Any judge, one might suppose, would find it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-n-cardozo/the-work-of-deciding-cases-goes-on-every-day-in-hundreds-of-courts/) [Benjamin N. Cardozo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-n-cardozo/) > [My faith is central to who I am as a human being, not just as an actor - so it informs every decision I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-mcdonough/my-faith-is-central-to-who-i-am-as-a-human-being-not-just-as-an-actor/) [Neal McDonough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-mcdonough/) > [I was born with this love for music, and I say 'born with' because I don't really remember a day waking up and deciding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-hayes/i-was-born-with-this-love-for-music-and-i-say-born-with-because-i-don/) [Hunter Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-hayes/) > [Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/deciding-what-not-to-do-is-as-important-as-deciding-what-to-do/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [Getting what you want means deciding what youll give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/getting-what-you-want-means-deciding-what-youll-give-up/) Senoraroy > [It is easy to decide on what is wrong to wear to a party, such as deep-sea diving equipment or a pair of large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-easy-to-decide-on-what-is-wrong-to-wear-to-a-party-such-as-deep/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Faith isn't figuring out what we're able to do, it's deciding what we're going to do - even when we think we can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/faith-isn-t-figuring-out-what-we-re-able-to-do-it-s-deciding-what-we/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [“We’re making our decisions … or so we think. Yet in truth, ignorance, greed, and the scourge of immediate gratification are often the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/we-re-making-our-decisions-or-so-we-think-yet-in-truth-ignorance/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Attention is the fundamental instrument we use for learning, thinking, communicating, deciding, yet neither parents nor schools spend any time helping young people learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/attention-is-the-fundamental-instrument-we-use-for-learning-thinking/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [When I'm deciding to read a book, I never open to the first chapter, because that's been revised and worked over 88 times. I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hiaasen/when-i-m-deciding-to-read-a-book-i-never-open-to-the-first-chapter/) [Carl Hiaasen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hiaasen/) Browse all 259 Deciding quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's not getting what you want that's the hard part, it's deciding what you want.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexandra Potter" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-the-hard-part-it-s-deciding/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Deciding" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-the-hard-part-it-s-deciding/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/alexandra-potter-9904_deciding_it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-th_662624.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/alexandra-potter-9904_deciding_it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-th_662624.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/alexandra-potter-9904_deciding_it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-th_662624.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's not getting what you want that's the hard part, it's deciding what you want.” — Alexandra Potter", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexandra Potter", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-potter/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's not getting what you want...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-the-hard-part-it-s-deciding/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-potter/it-s-not-getting-what-you-want-that-s-the-hard-part-it-s-deciding/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```