--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you only look at what is, you might…" description: "\"If you only look at what is, you might never attain what could be\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/anonymous-1_looking_if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-ne_1077959.jpg" --- # If you only look at what is, you might never attain what… ![“If you only look at what is, you might never attain what could be” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/anonymous-1_looking_if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-ne_1077959.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/anonymous-1_looking_if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-ne_1077959.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/anonymous-1_looking_if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-ne_1077959.jpg) > “If you only look at what is, you might never attain what could be” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing solely on current reality limits imagination of future possibilities. **In simple terms:** Only seeing what is blocks what could be. Key Takeaway Cultivate visionary thinking. Themes imagination potential growth Mood curious optimistic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - creative projects - innovation sessions Key Concepts philosophy future studies Questions to Reflect On - What would you achieve if you imagined beyond limits? - How can you balance present tasks with future goals? A Different Perspective Practical constraints may hinder dreaming. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attain/) [Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look/) [Look Attain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look-attain-2721639/) [Looking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking/) [Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying/) ## Related quotes > [“Always and in everything strive to attain at the same time what is useful for others and what is pleasant for oneself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/always-and-in-everything-strive-to-attain-at-the-same-time-what-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To attain something desired is to discover how vain it is; and…though we live all our lives in expectation of better things, we often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-attain-something-desired-is-to-discover-how-vain-it-is-and-though/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many people know how to attain success, but few know how to make the best use of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-people-know-how-to-attain-success-but-few-know-how-to-make-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are aware that in 2005 our efforts to preserve the stability and prestige of the Republic of Bulgaria in the area of foreign…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-aware-that-in-2005-our-efforts-to-preserve-the-stability-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm tired of looking for the perfect guy. From now on.. he can look for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-tired-of-looking-for-the-perfect-guy-from-now-on-he-can-look-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Yet we must say something when those who say the most are saying nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/yet-we-must-say-something-when-those-who-say-the-most-are-saying/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Oh, but there's such a difference between saying a thing yourself and hearing other people say it,' wailed Anne. 'You may know a thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oh-but-there-s-such-a-difference-between-saying-a-thing-yourself-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes, not saying anything is the best answer. You see, silence can never be misquoted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-not-saying-anything-is-the-best-answer-you-see-silence-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People should be able to say how they feel - how they really feel- not some words that some strangers put in their mouths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-should-be-able-to-say-how-they-feel-how-they-really-feel-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Saying something really stupid, then thinking, Well that sounded a lot better in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/saying-something-really-stupid-then-thinking-well-that-sounded-a-lot/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Once I know the true meaning of love I will be saying 'I Do.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/once-i-know-the-true-meaning-of-love-i-will-be-saying-i-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Saying What but then 1 second later realizing what they said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/saying-what-but-then-1-second-later-realizing-what-they-said/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Never build your house on someone else's land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-build-your-house-on-someone-else-s-land/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Light shines into the act of life for only the briefest moment-perhaps only a matter of seconds. Once it is gone and failed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/light-shines-into-the-act-of-life-for-only-the-briefest-moment/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Here we are at the crossroads once again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/here-we-are-at-the-crossroads-once-again/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Attain quotes > [Nothing was ever in any man that is not in you; no man ever had more spiritual or mental power than you can attain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/nothing-was-ever-in-any-man-that-is-not-in-you-no-man-ever-had-more/) [Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/) > [Anything you really want, you can attain, if you really go after it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/anything-you-really-want-you-can-attain-if-you-really-go-after-it/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [“one could not attain greater personal excellence without also paving the way for everyone else in society to attain it as well.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-phillips/one-could-not-attain-greater-personal-excellence-without-also-paving/) [Christopher Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-phillips/) > [I'm friends with a lot of Brits, and they tell me when they're over here what a huge phenomenon 'The Wire' has become. Some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ransone/i-m-friends-with-a-lot-of-brits-and-they-tell-me-when-they-re-over/) [James Ransone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ransone/) > [Wanting is not enough, long and you attain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/wanting-is-not-enough-long-and-you-attain-it/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [Do not sit down in Satan's easy chair of do-little, but arise and aim at the elevated standard which it is your privilege to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/do-not-sit-down-in-satan-s-easy-chair-of-do-little-but-arise-and-aim/) [Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/) > [Expect the best, not the worst, and you will attain your heart's desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/expect-the-best-not-the-worst-and-you-will-attain-your-heart-s-desire/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Endeavor to work as hard as possible to attain a new aim with each day that comes by. Don't go to bed until you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aliko-dangote/endeavor-to-work-as-hard-as-possible-to-attain-a-new-aim-with-each/) [Aliko Dangote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aliko-dangote/) > [The required demeanor each individual has to attain is to fathom. Success is surrendering thinking about the situation your in, work hard, and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-melvin-jr/the-required-demeanor-each-individual-has-to-attain-is-to-fathom/) [Kenneth Melvin Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-melvin-jr/) > [Those who would attain to any marked degree of excellence in a chosen pursuit must work, and work hard for it, prince or peasant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bayard-taylor/those-who-would-attain-to-any-marked-degree-of-excellence-in-a-chosen/) [Bayard Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bayard-taylor/) > [Attain the unattainable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/attain-the-unattainable/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [We are aware that in 2005 our efforts to preserve the stability and prestige of the Republic of Bulgaria in the area of foreign…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-aware-that-in-2005-our-efforts-to-preserve-the-stability-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If the undocumented have to work hard to attain citizenship, those of us who already are citizens should have to work hard to sustain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-liu/if-the-undocumented-have-to-work-hard-to-attain-citizenship-those-of/) [Eric Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-liu/) > [We will not attain a state of perfection in this life, but we can and should press forward with faith in Christ along the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/we-will-not-attain-a-state-of-perfection-in-this-life-but-we-can-and/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [“Most sane human beings who have managed to attain and retain fame each uses it to dramatically increase their name’s chances of being remembered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/most-sane-human-beings-who-have-managed-to-attain-and-retain-fame/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) [Browse all 113 Attain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you only look at what is, you might never attain what could be", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-never-attain-what-could-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-never-attain-what-could-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/anonymous-1_looking_if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-ne_1077959.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/anonymous-1_looking_if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-ne_1077959.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/anonymous-1_looking_if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-ne_1077959.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you only look at what is, you might never attain what could be” — Anonymous", "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": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you only look at what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-never-attain-what-could-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-only-look-at-what-is-you-might-never-attain-what-could-be/#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 } } ] } ```