--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Men have a built-in drive to succeed. The…" description: "\"“Men have a built-in drive to succeed. The waffle boxes in which a man is most likely to succeed are the boxes he will spend the most time in. When a m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b4/bill-farrel-56993_athletic-competition_men-have-a-built-in-drive-to-succeed-the_1482914.jpg" --- # Men have a built-in drive to succeed. The waffle boxes in… ![“Men have a built-in drive to succeed. The waffle boxes in which a man is most likely to succeed are the boxes he will spend the most time in. When a man knows he can do something well—that’s where he’ll expend his energies. Other boxes—the ones in which he’s less successful—are the ones where…” quote by Bill Farrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b4/bill-farrel-56993_athletic-competition_men-have-a-built-in-drive-to-succeed-the_1482914.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b4/bill-farrel-56993_athletic-competition_men-have-a-built-in-drive-to-succeed-the_1482914.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b4/bill-farrel-56993_athletic-competition_men-have-a-built-in-drive-to-succeed-the_1482914.jpg) > ““Men have a built-in drive to succeed. The waffle boxes in which a man is most likely to succeed are the boxes he will spend the most time in. When a man knows he can do something well—that’s where he’ll expend his energies. Other boxes—the ones in which he’s less successful—are the ones where he’ll spend the least time and energy. A man who is highly productive at work will enjoy going to work and may even spend too much time there. A man who is adept at athletic competition wants all of it he can fit into his schedule. A man who reads well and thinks clearly is naturally motivated to extend his education. A man who is skilled at making things with his hands will always have a project going. Unfortunately, this drive to succeed has a dark side. If a man figures out he’s very good at unproductive things, he will be just as attracted to them as he is to his positive pursuits. A man who realizes he’s good at being lazy will fill his schedule with idleness. A man who constantly hears from others that he’s an underachiever will commit himself to underachieve for the rest of his life. If crudeness comes easily and”” [Bill Farrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-farrel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People tend to invest time in areas where they feel competent, which can lead both to productive focus and to indulging in unproductive habits if they recognize talent there. **In simple terms:** People work where they’re good, even if it’s unproductive. Key Takeaway Recognize and steer strengths wisely. Themes productivity self‑awareness motivation Mood reflective analytical Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - fitness routines - creative projects - educational pursuits Key Concepts skill alignment habit formation self‑fulfilling prophecy Questions to Reflect On - Which strengths might you be misusing? - How can you redirect talent toward positive outcomes? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on comfort zones can limit growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athletic competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletic-competition/) [Dark side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-side/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time and energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-and-energy/) ## Related quotes > [“Man is adept at navigating the globe and beyond - yet doubt finding his own destiny”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gino-norris/man-is-adept-at-navigating-the-globe-and-beyond-yet-doubt-finding-his/) [Gino Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gino-norris/) > [ Following is one of the most underrated aspects of leadership… I have seen many a good \[military unit\] underachieve, because someone...thought the commander was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/following-is-one-of-the-most-underrated-aspects-of-leadership-i-have/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [You don't die in the United States, you underachieve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerzy-kosi-ski/you-don-t-die-in-the-united-states-you-underachieve/) [Jerzy Kosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerzy-kosi-ski/) > [Around the time I graduated from high school, I decided better to underachieve and have friendship than to overachieve and be alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/around-the-time-i-graduated-from-high-school-i-decided-better-to/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [Derek Bok's most recent book, Our Underachieving Colleges, is worth scrutinizing. . . . Bok is . . . on solid ground in pointing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-leef/derek-bok-s-most-recent-book-our-underachieving-colleges-is-worth/) [George Leef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-leef/) > [“Dee Henning. I understand your focus, your drive to succeed, really I do, but I gotta wonder how you can even call it success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-marshall/dee-henning-i-understand-your-focus-your-drive-to-succeed-really-i-do/) Grace Marshall > [To believe in yourself and to follow your dreams, to have goals in life and a drive to succeed, and to surround yourself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-azevedo/to-believe-in-yourself-and-to-follow-your-dreams-to-have-goals-in/) [Sasha Azevedo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-azevedo/) > [I think in management, if you lose the drive to succeed you may as well not be in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-think-in-management-if-you-lose-the-drive-to-succeed-you-may-as/) [Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/) > [It takes a lot of drive to succeed as an independent producer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/it-takes-a-lot-of-drive-to-succeed-as-an-independent-producer/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [I used all that doubt as fuel for my own music, fuel for my drive to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jody-watley/i-used-all-that-doubt-as-fuel-for-my-own-music-fuel-for-my-drive-to/) [Jody Watley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jody-watley/) > [“A persons limitations are only measured by their drive to succeed”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-a-leslie/a-persons-limitations-are-only-measured-by-their-drive-to-succeed/) Brian A Leslie > [“It’s not that I don’t have the drive to succeed, but rather I don’t have the gas.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/it-s-not-that-i-don-t-have-the-drive-to-succeed-but-rather-i-don-t/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [The rewards are going to come, but my happiness is just loving the sport and having fun performing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-joyner-kersee/the-rewards-are-going-to-come-but-my-happiness-is-just-loving-the/) [Jackie Joyner-Kersee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-joyner-kersee/) > [The titles aren't merely props in New Japan. They're actually the focus of the company, and that's how it should be if you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mauro-ranallo/the-titles-aren-t-merely-props-in-new-japan-they-re-actually-the/) [Mauro Ranallo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mauro-ranallo/) > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) ## More by Bill Farrel > [“Successful couples learn the secret of fighting for their relationship rather than against one another.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-farrel/successful-couples-learn-the-secret-of-fighting-for-their/) [Bill Farrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-farrel/) > [“The bottom line with men is: they feel best about themselves when they are solving problems. Therefore, they spend most of their time doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-farrel/the-bottom-line-with-men-is-they-feel-best-about-themselves-when-they/) [Bill Farrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-farrel/) > [“Most men have boxes in their waffle that have no words. There are thoughts, but they don’t always translate into words. Not all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-farrel/most-men-have-boxes-in-their-waffle-that-have-no-words-there-are/) [Bill Farrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-farrel/) > [“When your humanity gets put on display in these awkward expressions, the only path to peace in your relationship is forgiveness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-farrel/when-your-humanity-gets-put-on-display-in-these-awkward-expressions/) [Bill Farrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-farrel/) > [“The Bible encourages us to “serve one another in love.” One of the ways you can work this out in your marriage is first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-farrel/the-bible-encourages-us-to-serve-one-another-in-love-one-of-the-ways/) [Bill Farrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-farrel/) [Explore all 6 Bill Farrel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-farrel/) ## More Athletic competition quotes > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [The titles aren't merely props in New Japan. They're actually the focus of the company, and that's how it should be if you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mauro-ranallo/the-titles-aren-t-merely-props-in-new-japan-they-re-actually-the/) [Mauro Ranallo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mauro-ranallo/) > [The rewards are going to come, but my happiness is just loving the sport and having fun performing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-joyner-kersee/the-rewards-are-going-to-come-but-my-happiness-is-just-loving-the/) [Jackie Joyner-Kersee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-joyner-kersee/) > [“The kit I looked through belonged to Gabriel Nirlungayuk, a community health representative from Pelly Bay, a hamlet in Canada’s Nunavut territory. Like me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/the-kit-i-looked-through-belonged-to-gabriel-nirlungayuk-a-community/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serena-williams/you-have-to-believe-in-yourself-when-no-one-else-does/) [Serena Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serena-williams/) > [Many of those who have paid the ultimate price for freedom have come through the wrestling ranks. We need to honor them and win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-gable/many-of-those-who-have-paid-the-ultimate-price-for-freedom-have-come/) [Dan Gable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-gable/) > [One of the great mistakes that can be made by a man of my age is to get involved in athletic competition with children-unless,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/one-of-the-great-mistakes-that-can-be-made-by-a-man-of-my-age-is-to/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [Being properly prepared is one of the biggest assets in business and in athletic competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keeth-smart/being-properly-prepared-is-one-of-the-biggest-assets-in-business-and/) [Keeth Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keeth-smart/) > [I have always been vitally interested in physical conditioning. I have long believed that athletic competition among people and nations should replace violence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/i-have-always-been-vitally-interested-in-physical-conditioning-i-have/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [I certainly could be wrong, but I don't believe God decides athletic competitions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skip-bayless/i-certainly-could-be-wrong-but-i-don-t-believe-god-decides-athletic/) [Skip Bayless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skip-bayless/) > [In the end, it's extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more that that, too. It starts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/in-the-end-it-s-extra-effort-that-separates-a-winner-from-second/) [Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/) > [Growing up in Quebec, we were always playing sports. Your first athletic competition was against the kids living on your block.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-brodeur/growing-up-in-quebec-we-were-always-playing-sports-your-first/) [Martin Brodeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-brodeur/) > [Athletic competition clearly defines the unique power of our attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bart-starr/athletic-competition-clearly-defines-the-unique-power-of-our-attitude/) [Bart Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bart-starr/) > [Ben Roethlisberger is a proven winner in athletic competition. But the measure of a true leader is how they conduct themselves 24/7, not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackson-katz/ben-roethlisberger-is-a-proven-winner-in-athletic-competition-but-the/) [Jackson Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackson-katz/) > [“There is a belief advanced today, and in some cases by conservative black authors, that poor children and particularly black children should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kozol/there-is-a-belief-advanced-today-and-in-some-cases-by-conservative/) [Jonathan Kozol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kozol/) [Browse all 21 Athletic competition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletic-competition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Men have a built-in drive to succeed. The waffle boxes in which a man is most likely to succeed are the boxes he will spend the most time in. 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