--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I waited for inspiration every time I…" description: "\"If I waited for inspiration every time I sat down to write a song I probably would be a plumber today.\" — Barry Mann" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/barry-mann-21185_inspiration_if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i_245157.png" --- # If I waited for inspiration every time I sat down to write… ![“If I waited for inspiration every time I sat down to write a song I probably would be a plumber today.” quote by Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/barry-mann-21185_inspiration_if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i_245157.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/barry-mann-21185_inspiration_if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i_245157.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/barry-mann-21185_inspiration_if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i_245157.png) > “If I waited for inspiration every time I sat down to write a song I probably would be a plumber today.” [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Waiting for inspiration stalls creation; action creates inspiration. **In simple terms:** Action fuels creativity. Key Takeaway Start creating, even without inspiration. Themes creativity discipline motivation productivity songwriting Mood encouraging optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - writing music - daily practice - overcoming procrastination Key Concepts flow state creative block habit formation Questions to Reflect On - What small step can you take now? - How can routine spark ideas? A Different Perspective Inspiration often follows effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspiration Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration-time-999067/) [Plumber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plumber/) [Sat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sat/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Waited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waited/) [Waited Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waited-inspiration-2384254/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) [Write Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-song/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Someone once asked me... whether I waited for inspiration. My answer was: "Every day!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/someone-once-asked-me-whether-i-waited-for-inspiration-my-answer-was/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [“They should also write every day. They shouldn’t wait for inspiration. Carpenters don’t need inspiration to make a table. It’s their profession. If they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrell-pitt/they-should-also-write-every-day-they-shouldn-t-wait-for-inspiration/) [Darrell Pitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrell-pitt/) > [The street to my left was backed up with traffic and I watched the people waiting patiently in the cars. There was almost always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/the-street-to-my-left-was-backed-up-with-traffic-and-i-watched-the/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [Other than the obvious, like Cher and Diana Ross, I actually find a lot of inspiration from time periods. So it's not necessarily people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zendaya/other-than-the-obvious-like-cher-and-diana-ross-i-actually-find-a-lot/) [Zendaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zendaya/) > [Inspiration can show up almost any time, though I have yet to see anyone scratching out melodic ideas on a restaurant napkin as legend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-perry/inspiration-can-show-up-almost-any-time-though-i-have-yet-to-see/) [William P. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-perry/) > [Inspiration is never genuine if it is known as inspiration at the time. True inspiration always steals on a person; its importance not being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/inspiration-is-never-genuine-if-it-is-known-as-inspiration-at-the/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [I kind of took inspiration from my time in Paris. That was kind of the real time when I discovered European fashion. It's stuck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-palermo/i-kind-of-took-inspiration-from-my-time-in-paris-that-was-kind-of-the/) [Olivia Palermo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-palermo/) > [The time u will take others lectures as an inspiration .. your time of success will start (m)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robby/the-time-u-will-take-others-lectures-as-an-inspiration-your-time-of/) [Robby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robby/) > [Inspiration is there all the time. For everyone whose mind is not clouded over with thoughts whether they realize it or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-martin/inspiration-is-there-all-the-time-for-everyone-whose-mind-is-not/) [Agnes Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-martin/) > [I wrote one book, signed with a good agent, and sat back and waited for the phone to ring. I was sure that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/i-wrote-one-book-signed-with-a-good-agent-and-sat-back-and-waited-for/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [Leaving out the gamblers, the burglars, and the plumbers, perhaps we do put our trust in God after a fashion. But, after all, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/leaving-out-the-gamblers-the-burglars-and-the-plumbers-perhaps-we-do/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Most wealth is inconspicuous. The man down the street driving the nice car and living in the mansion could easily have greater debt and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loral-langemeier/most-wealth-is-inconspicuous-the-man-down-the-street-driving-the-nice/) [Loral Langemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loral-langemeier/) > [Western doctors are like poor plumbers. They treat a splashing tub by cleaning up the water. These plumbers are extremely apt at drying up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-parsons-burkitt/western-doctors-are-like-poor-plumbers-they-treat-a-splashing-tub-by/) [Denis Parsons Burkitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-parsons-burkitt/) > [I'm not a plumber who accidentally blew up or a math professor who accidentally backed into notoriety. I have a master's from Yale drama,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-richman/i-m-not-a-plumber-who-accidentally-blew-up-or-a-math-professor-who/) [Adam Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-richman/) > [Writer's block? I've never heard of a plumber complain about plumber's block.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/writer-s-block-i-ve-never-heard-of-a-plumber-complain-about-plumber-s/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) ## More by Barry Mann > [You've got to really be able to accept the rejection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/you-ve-got-to-really-be-able-to-accept-the-rejection/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [I looked through our catalog year by year, and I saw that there were pockets of time when we wrote some terrific songs. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/i-looked-through-our-catalog-year-by-year-and-i-saw-that-there-were/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [Probably most successful songwriters have an innate songwriting ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/probably-most-successful-songwriters-have-an-innate-songwriting/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [The real danger of writing a great song when you're on something is that it might get you thinking that the only way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/the-real-danger-of-writing-a-great-song-when-you-re-on-something-is/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [I also used to work in the Catskill Mountains as a bus boy, and I performed in talent shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/i-also-used-to-work-in-the-catskill-mountains-as-a-bus-boy-and-i/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [It's amazing how a competitive nature can turn a negative into something positive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/it-s-amazing-how-a-competitive-nature-can-turn-a-negative-into/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [It's very important, at least for me and for Cynthia, to get outside input.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/it-s-very-important-at-least-for-me-and-for-cynthia-to-get-outside/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [I think if one wants to be in a continual state of insanity one should stay married to that writing partner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/i-think-if-one-wants-to-be-in-a-continual-state-of-insanity-one/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [I know at the beginning of our careers, my wife and I were gut wrenchingly competitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/i-know-at-the-beginning-of-our-careers-my-wife-and-i-were-gut/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [We've written something like 900 songs in all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/we-ve-written-something-like-900-songs-in-all/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [You have to be very brave in that first writing session.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/you-have-to-be-very-brave-in-that-first-writing-session/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [I get a different kind of lyric from someone else that might make me go in a different musical direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/i-get-a-different-kind-of-lyric-from-someone-else-that-might-make-me/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [I quit college. I was studying architecture for about a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/i-quit-college-i-was-studying-architecture-for-about-a-year/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [We became the songs we wrote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/we-became-the-songs-we-wrote/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [You're going to have more rejection than acceptance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/you-re-going-to-have-more-rejection-than-acceptance/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) [Explore all 29 Barry Mann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) ## More Inspiration quotes > [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/) [H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/) > [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/) > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [“Success is for a man whose stories of sruggles and chalenges are inspirations to and up coming generation..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelly-sanaba-c/success-is-for-a-man-whose-stories-of-sruggles-and-chalenges-are/) [Nelly sanaba .c](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelly-sanaba-c/) > [Loving you is the best feeling have ever had, and you loving me is the greater gift I have..I will be brave, I wont…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fash/loving-you-is-the-best-feeling-have-ever-had-and-you-loving-me-is-the/) [Fash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fash/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [You make me feel brand new today. Even my day is full of trials and pain…Thanks for everything...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lantapi/you-make-me-feel-brand-new-today-even-my-day-is-full-of-trials-and/) [Richard Lantapi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lantapi/) > [I have learned that you can go anywhere you want to go and do anything you want to do and buy all the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c-2/i-have-learned-that-you-can-go-anywhere-you-want-to-go-and-do/) [C JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c-2/) > [Every human creates his own problems. Problems are ones private property and we shouldnt meddle into them self-initiatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/every-human-creates-his-own-problems-problems-are-ones-private/) [Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/) > [“Serve in the grace of strength within thy soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/serve-in-the-grace-of-strength-within-thy-soul/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Be proud of who you are & who you represent.You are unique, there is no other exactly like you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/be-proud-of-who-you-are-who-you-represent-you-are-unique-there-is-no/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [Have a Blast; Life wont last! Make the best of the journey before it is over!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-a-blast-life-wont-last-make-the-best-of-the-journey-before-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/) [Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/) > [“Complete - Yourself! Others may only enhance your completeness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lashauna-d-hinton/complete-yourself-others-may-only-enhance-your-completeness/) [Lashauna D. Hinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lashauna-d-hinton/) [Browse all 17,129 Inspiration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I waited for inspiration every time I sat down to write a song I probably would be a plumber today.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barry Mann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i-sat-down-to-write-a-song-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Inspiration" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i-sat-down-to-write-a-song-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/barry-mann-21185_inspiration_if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i_245157.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/barry-mann-21185_inspiration_if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i_245157.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/barry-mann-21185_inspiration_if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i_245157.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I waited for inspiration every time I sat down to write a song I probably would be a plumber today.” — Barry Mann", "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": "Barry Mann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I waited for inspiration every...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i-sat-down-to-write-a-song-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/if-i-waited-for-inspiration-every-time-i-sat-down-to-write-a-song-i/#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 } } ] } ```