--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Unsuccessful people carry their goals…" description: "\"“Unsuccessful people carry their goals around in their head like marbles rattling around in a can, and we say a goal that is not in writing is merely a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/darren-hardy-1748_goals_unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-ar_658874.jpg" --- # Unsuccessful people carry their goals around in their head… ![“Unsuccessful people carry their goals around in their head like marbles rattling around in a can, and we say a goal that is not in writing is merely a fantasy.” quote by Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/darren-hardy-1748_goals_unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-ar_658874.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/darren-hardy-1748_goals_unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-ar_658874.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/darren-hardy-1748_goals_unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-ar_658874.jpg) > ““Unsuccessful people carry their goals around in their head like marbles rattling around in a can, and we say a goal that is not in writing is merely a fantasy.”” [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Goals not written down remain vague fantasies, like marbles rattling in a can. **In simple terms:** Unwritten goals are just fantasies. Key Takeaway Write down your goals to make them real. Themes goal setting focus accountability Mood motivational pragmatic Type instructional inspirational When to use this quote - business planning - personal development - project management - creative pursuits Key Concepts clarity commitment Questions to Reflect On - What goal will you write down today? - How does documentation change your commitment? A Different Perspective Writing alone may not guarantee action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The biggest difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/the-biggest-difference-between-successful-people-and-unsuccessful/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [Unsuccessful people think about what they don’t want most of the time. They talk about problems, listen to news & gossip, & spend their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/unsuccessful-people-think-about-what-they-don-t-want-most-of-the-time/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [I don't think you can complain about getting to the NFC Championship Game. But if you sit there and say your goal is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordy-nelson/i-don-t-think-you-can-complain-about-getting-to-the-nfc-championship/) [Jordy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordy-nelson/) > [I have my own goals in my head in terms of things that would be great to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-pritchard/i-have-my-own-goals-in-my-head-in-terms-of-things-that-would-be-great/) [Luke Pritchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-pritchard/) > [I was a fan of Henk Groot, former striker of Ajax, who scored many goals with his head. I thought, 'I can do that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-van-gaal/i-was-a-fan-of-henk-groot-former-striker-of-ajax-who-scored-many/) [Louis van Gaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-van-gaal/) > [“All these stupid rocks," I say, "what’s your goal?" "This isn't about getting something done," Denny says. "It’s about the doing, you know, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/all-these-stupid-rocks-i-say-what-s-your-goal-this-isn-t-about/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [For our purposes, let’s say a goal is a specific objective that you either achieve or don’t sometime in the future. A system is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/for-our-purposes-let-s-say-a-goal-is-a-specific-objective-that-you/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [I have scored many goals with my head, ever since my time with River Plate in Argentina and then after at Porto and Atletico…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radamel-falcao/i-have-scored-many-goals-with-my-head-ever-since-my-time-with-river/) [Radamel Falcao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radamel-falcao/) > [Morata has obvious quality - he's quick, he's running in behind and scoring goals with his head and his feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-bridge/morata-has-obvious-quality-he-s-quick-he-s-running-in-behind-and/) [Wayne Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-bridge/) > [Like I always say, the goal every day is not to get fired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devin-mccourty/like-i-always-say-the-goal-every-day-is-not-to-get-fired/) [Devin McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devin-mccourty/) > [But what's your ultimate goal, you'll say. That goal will become clearer, will take shape slowly and surely, as the croquis becomes a sketch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-van-gogh/but-what-s-your-ultimate-goal-you-ll-say-that-goal-will-become/) [Vincent Van Gogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-van-gogh/) > [People say he doesn't score a lot of goals with his head, but does he really have to with the ability he has in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-shearer/people-say-he-doesn-t-score-a-lot-of-goals-with-his-head-but-does-he/) [Alan Shearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-shearer/) > [I don't sit down with a goal of writing. I read books or magazines. I watch TV. I go to the doctor. I get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-regan/i-don-t-sit-down-with-a-goal-of-writing-i-read-books-or-magazines-i/) [Brian Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-regan/) > [“My goal when writing is to engage the reader. Having my words play out like a movie - Rewarding. Having the reader wanting more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cook-howard/my-goal-when-writing-is-to-engage-the-reader-having-my-words-play-out/) Elizabeth Cook-Howard > [“The ultimate goal of writing is forgiveness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katerina-stoykova-klemer/the-ultimate-goal-of-writing-is-forgiveness/) [Katerina Stoykova Klemer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katerina-stoykova-klemer/) ## More by Darren Hardy > [Become very conscious of every choice you make today so you can begin to make smarter choices moving forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/become-very-conscious-of-every-choice-you-make-today-so-you-can-begin/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [“Most people drift through life without devoting much conscious energy to figuring out specifically what they want and what they need to do to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/most-people-drift-through-life-without-devoting-much-conscious-energy/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [“You cannot manage or improve something until you measure it. Likewise, you can’t make the most of who you are—your talents and resources and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/you-cannot-manage-or-improve-something-until-you-measure-it-likewise/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [“Right this moment: Pick an area of your life where you most want to be successful. Do you want more money in the bank?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/right-this-moment-pick-an-area-of-your-life-where-you-most-want-to-be/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [“Every incomplete promise, commitment, and agreement saps your strength because it blocks your momentum and inhibits your ability to move forward. Incomplete tasks keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/every-incomplete-promise-commitment-and-agreement-saps-your-strength/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [“Promise yourself that you’re going to let go once and for all of your lottery-winner expectations because, let’s face it, you only hear stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/promise-yourself-that-you-re-going-to-let-go-once-and-for-all-of-your/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [The day you graduate from childhood to adulthood is the day you take full responsibility for your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/the-day-you-graduate-from-childhood-to-adulthood-is-the-day-you-take/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [“This tracking exercise changed my awareness of how I related to my money. It worked so well, in fact, that I’ve used it many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/this-tracking-exercise-changed-my-awareness-of-how-i-related-to-my/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [To achieve what you have not, you must become what you are not. You have to GROW into your goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/to-achieve-what-you-have-not-you-must-become-what-you-are-not-you/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [“Everyone is affected by three kinds of influences: input (what you feed your mind), associations (the people with whom you spend time), and environment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/everyone-is-affected-by-three-kinds-of-influences-input-what-you-feed/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [“Determine the quality of life you want to have, and then surround yourself with the people who represent and support that vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/determine-the-quality-of-life-you-want-to-have-and-then-surround/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [Daily Mojo: Your main competitors are not others in your industry. Your main competitors are distractions. Don't let them beat you - stay focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/daily-mojo-your-main-competitors-are-not-others-in-your-industry-your/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [Luck is an equal opportunity distributor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/luck-is-an-equal-opportunity-distributor/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [If you truly want to be successful, spend less time following the lives of other people and more time leading your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/if-you-truly-want-to-be-successful-spend-less-time-following-the/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [Decide now that you are worthy of great wealth and it will be your first step toward great prosperity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/decide-now-that-you-are-worthy-of-great-wealth-and-it-will-be-your/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) [Explore all 210 Darren Hardy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) ## More Goals 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/) > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/) [C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/) [Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Unsuccessful people carry their goals around in their head like marbles rattling around in a can, and we say a goal that is not in writing is merely a fantasy.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Darren Hardy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-around-in-their-head-like/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Goals" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-around-in-their-head-like/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/darren-hardy-1748_goals_unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-ar_658874.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/darren-hardy-1748_goals_unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-ar_658874.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/darren-hardy-1748_goals_unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-ar_658874.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Unsuccessful people carry their goals around in their head like marbles rattling around in a can, and we say…” — Darren Hardy", "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": "Darren Hardy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Unsuccessful people carry their goals around...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-around-in-their-head-like/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-around-in-their-head-like/#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 } } ] } ```