--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Success doesn't sneak up on us; it starts…" description: "\"Success doesn't sneak up on us; it starts as a dream that we combine with a clear plan of action.\" — Dan Miller" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b77/dan-miller-13049_action_success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts_87264.png" --- # Success doesn't sneak up on us; it starts as a dream that… ![“Success doesn't sneak up on us; it starts as a dream that we combine with a clear plan of action.” quote by Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b77/dan-miller-13049_action_success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts_87264.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b77/dan-miller-13049_action_success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts_87264.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b77/dan-miller-13049_action_success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts_87264.png) > “Success doesn't sneak up on us; it starts as a dream that we combine with a clear plan of action.” [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Frames success as a proactive process that begins with a clear vision and a concrete plan, rather than a passive occurrence. **In simple terms:** Proactive success Key Takeaway Dreams need actionable plans Themes motivation goal‑setting productivity self‑development Mood inspirational assertive Type advice motivational quote When to use this quote - starting a business - career transition - personal project Key Concepts success planning Practical Applications - coaching workshop - self‑help book Questions to Reflect On - Why do some dreams stay unrealized? - How does planning transform ambition? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [On a good day, when you have a clear plan, you are able to execute whatever you wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasprit-bumrah/on-a-good-day-when-you-have-a-clear-plan-you-are-able-to-execute/) [Jasprit Bumrah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasprit-bumrah/) > [Sometimes what is real...is what you cant see...believe in all there can be...a miracle starts with a dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-moores/sometimes-what-is-real-is-what-you-cant-see-believe-in-all-there-can/) [Sarah Moores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-moores/) > [Every success starts with a dream. You have to know what you want before you go on a quest for success No matter how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/every-success-starts-with-a-dream-you-have-to-know-what-you-want/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Everything starts with a dream, a particle of our imagination that teases us of what the future could be like, as long as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gurbaksh-chahal/everything-starts-with-a-dream-a-particle-of-our-imagination-that/) [Gurbaksh Chahal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gurbaksh-chahal/) > [You need to have dreams. Everything starts with a dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-cornell-douty/you-need-to-have-dreams-everything-starts-with-a-dream/) Sheila Cornell-Douty > [Every great thing that has been accomplished, and is yet to be accomplished, starts with a dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-courtney/every-great-thing-that-has-been-accomplished-and-is-yet-to-be/) [Bill Courtney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-courtney/) > [To succeed put your plan in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/to-succeed-put-your-plan-in-action/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Roy Hodgson is a very good manager with a clear plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-hasenhuttl/roy-hodgson-is-a-very-good-manager-with-a-clear-plan/) [Ralph Hasenhuttl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-hasenhuttl/) > [“Every successful mission requires a clear plan. Tonight, Mrs. Sibanda’s mission was to enjoy some gratification. She would not be denied. Her plan was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taona-dumisani-chiveneko/every-successful-mission-requires-a-clear-plan-tonight-mrs-sibanda-s/) [Taona Dumisani Chiveneko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taona-dumisani-chiveneko/) > [“I think it was clear to all of us what your plan was. To sacrifice yourself in the arena so that Katniss Everdeen and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-think-it-was-clear-to-all-of-us-what-your-plan-was-to-sacrifice/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [The best way of ensuring that we get what we need is by demonstrating we have a clear plan, we are thinking strategically and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gauke/the-best-way-of-ensuring-that-we-get-what-we-need-is-by-demonstrating/) [David Gauke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gauke/) > [“Clear mind + clear plan = clear outcomes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mininni/clear-mind-clear-plan-clear-outcomes/) [Lisa Mininni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mininni/) > [“A clear plan relieves you of the torment of choice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/a-clear-plan-relieves-you-of-the-torment-of-choice/) [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) > [If there is a clear plan in what you are doing, it doesn't matter if it's a back three or a four.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-rudiger/if-there-is-a-clear-plan-in-what-you-are-doing-it-doesn-t-matter-if/) [Antonio Rudiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-rudiger/) > [It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and a plan of action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fidel-castro/it-does-not-matter-how-small-you-are-if-you-have-faith-and-a-plan-of/) [Fidel Castro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fidel-castro/) ## More by Dan Miller > [We're also fairly stubborn, I think, fairly independent. We have our share of difficulties with our federal government, although I've tried to as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/we-re-also-fairly-stubborn-i-think-fairly-independent-we-have-our/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [“Have fun in everything you do. Challenge yourself to bigger and better things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/have-fun-in-everything-you-do-challenge-yourself-to-bigger-and-better/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [Embrace the work opportunity you have today. It may be the stepping-stone you need on your way to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/embrace-the-work-opportunity-you-have-today-it-may-be-the-stepping/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [No man can Become Rich without enriching others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/no-man-can-become-rich-without-enriching-others/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [The key to success is to be true to who you really are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/the-key-to-success-is-to-be-true-to-who-you-really-are/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [Perfectionism is not as much the desire for excellence, as it is the fear of failure couched in procrastination .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/perfectionism-is-not-as-much-the-desire-for-excellence-as-it-is-the/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [It's easy to focus on the things that divide us. Sometimes too easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/it-s-easy-to-focus-on-the-things-that-divide-us-sometimes-too-easy/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [The difference between the successful and the troubled is not error-free living; it is that by discovering and implementing a life calling, the successful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/the-difference-between-the-successful-and-the-troubled-is-not-error/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/make-no-little-plans-they-have-no-magic-to-stir-men-s-blood-and-2/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [Opportunity lies between your own two ears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/opportunity-lies-between-your-own-two-ears/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [If someone saw a movie of your life so far, when the credits rolled, would they say, “Wow, that was awesome?” Or would they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/if-someone-saw-a-movie-of-your-life-so-far-when-the-credits-rolled/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [You know, we have our differences, everybody does, honest, real differences, but I do believe strongly that we as neighbors are drawn together far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/you-know-we-have-our-differences-everybody-does-honest-real/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [Our expectations determine how we respond. Be careful what you expect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/our-expectations-determine-how-we-respond-be-careful-what-you-expect/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [Choosing to associate with positive, optimistic people will accelerate our positive growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/choosing-to-associate-with-positive-optimistic-people-will-accelerate/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [Your security is determined by your ability to define what it is you do that has value. The clearer you can be on what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/your-security-is-determined-by-your-ability-to-define-what-it-is-you/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) [Explore all 52 Dan Miller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Success doesn't sneak up on us; it starts as a dream that we combine with a clear plan of action.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dan Miller" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts-as-a-dream-that-we-combine/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts-as-a-dream-that-we-combine/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b77/dan-miller-13049_action_success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts_87264.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b77/dan-miller-13049_action_success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts_87264.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b77/dan-miller-13049_action_success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts_87264.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Success doesn't sneak up on us; it starts as a dream that we combine with a clear plan of action.” — Dan Miller", "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": "Dan Miller", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Success doesn't sneak up on us;...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts-as-a-dream-that-we-combine/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/success-doesn-t-sneak-up-on-us-it-starts-as-a-dream-that-we-combine/#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 } } ] } ```