--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Better to seek change by inspiration…" description: "\"Better to seek change by inspiration, than out of desperation.\" — Denis Waitley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e06/denis-waitley-977_change_better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-tha_1083700.jpg" --- # Better to seek change by inspiration, than out of… ![“Better to seek change by inspiration, than out of desperation.” quote by Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e06/denis-waitley-977_change_better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-tha_1083700.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e06/denis-waitley-977_change_better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-tha_1083700.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e06/denis-waitley-977_change_better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-tha_1083700.jpg) > “Better to seek change by inspiration, than out of desperation.” [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seek change driven by inspiration rather than desperation. **In simple terms:** Inspiration, not desperation, should motivate change. Key Takeaway Cultivate inspiring goals before crisis. Themes inspiration change motivation Mood hopeful energetic Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - career transition - personal growth - creative projects Key Concepts psychology of drive goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What inspires you beyond fear? - How to sustain inspiration over time? A Different Perspective Desperation can also spark necessary change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Desperation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desperation/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [In exams, we look up for inspiration, down for desperation, left and right for information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/in-exams-we-look-up-for-inspiration-down-for-desperation-left-and/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [In life you need either inspiration or desperation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/in-life-you-need-either-inspiration-or-desperation/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [The people at the record company had asked me if I could write a song about my life, my relationship with God, and where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-ray-cyrus/the-people-at-the-record-company-had-asked-me-if-i-could-write-a-song/) [Billy Ray Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-ray-cyrus/) > [Inspiration in desperation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/inspiration-in-desperation/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [During a test; people look up for inspiration,down in desperation, and left and right for information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/during-a-test-people-look-up-for-inspiration-down-in-desperation-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We look up for inspiration, down for desperation, right and left for information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyga/we-look-up-for-inspiration-down-for-desperation-right-and-left-for/) [Tyga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyga/) > [I hope to be a source of change and inspiration to my peers, empowering them to reach out and take action that will ensure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-gallagher/i-hope-to-be-a-source-of-change-and-inspiration-to-my-peers/) [Aidan Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-gallagher/) > [“It is better to seek wisdom of God than human.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/it-is-better-to-seek-wisdom-of-god-than-human/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“It is better to seek light than to rest in darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/it-is-better-to-seek-light-than-to-rest-in-darkness/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [It is better to seek forgiveness than ask permissions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shar-rae/it-is-better-to-seek-forgiveness-than-ask-permissions/) [Shar-rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shar-rae/) > [“It is better to seek redemption than chase riches.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/it-is-better-to-seek-redemption-than-chase-riches/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“It is better to seek light than to give into darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/it-is-better-to-seek-light-than-to-give-into-darkness/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [“No one knows you better than you do. Always seek advice from within you before going to anyone else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kitty-downer/no-one-knows-you-better-than-you-do-always-seek-advice-from-within/) [Kitty Downer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kitty-downer/) > [During exams, students look up for inspiration, down in desperation, and left and right for information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/during-exams-students-look-up-for-inspiration-down-in-desperation-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We generally change ourselves for one of two reasons: inspiration or desperation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/we-generally-change-ourselves-for-one-of-two-reasons-inspiration-or/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) ## More by Denis Waitley > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Optimism boosts your energy and focuses your sights on reaching your goals, rather than wallowing in your setbacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/optimism-boosts-your-energy-and-focuses-your-sights-on-reaching-your/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [You can only do good if you feel good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/you-can-only-do-good-if-you-feel-good/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Life is self-fulfilling prophecy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/life-is-self-fulfilling-prophecy/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [There never was a winner, who wasn't a beginner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/there-never-was-a-winner-who-wasn-t-a-beginner/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The greatest limitations you will ever face will be those you place on yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-greatest-limitations-you-will-ever-face-will-be-those-you-place/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The easiest thing is to make sure you feel happy and satisfied in this moment. Setting long term goals is much more effort taking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-easiest-thing-is-to-make-sure-you-feel-happy-and-satisfied-in/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [You must get money to chase you, but never let it catch up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/you-must-get-money-to-chase-you-but-never-let-it-catch-up/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Contentment is for cows; a challenging purpose is for people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/contentment-is-for-cows-a-challenging-purpose-is-for-people/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The season for enjoying the fullness of life - partaking of the harvest, sharing the harvest with others, and reinvesting and saving portions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-season-for-enjoying-the-fullness-of-life-partaking-of-the-harvest/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Goals are like stepping-stones to the stars. They should never be used to put a ceiling or a limit on achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/goals-are-like-stepping-stones-to-the-stars-they-should-never-be-used/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The two greatest fear busters are knowledge and action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-two-greatest-fear-busters-are-knowledge-and-action/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Positive self-expectancy is the first, most outwardly identifiable quality of a top-achieving, winning human being. Positive self-expectancy is pure and simple optimism: real enthusiasm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/positive-self-expectancy-is-the-first-most-outwardly-identifiable/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The seeds of greatness are ideas you learn from people who've been great in their service to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-seeds-of-greatness-are-ideas-you-learn-from-people-who-ve-been/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Discipline is doing within, while you do without.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/discipline-is-doing-within-while-you-do-without/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) [Explore all 316 Denis Waitley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [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/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Better to seek change by inspiration, than out of desperation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Denis Waitley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-than-out-of-desperation/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-than-out-of-desperation/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e06/denis-waitley-977_change_better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-tha_1083700.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e06/denis-waitley-977_change_better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-tha_1083700.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e06/denis-waitley-977_change_better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-tha_1083700.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Better to seek change by inspiration, than out of desperation.” — Denis Waitley", "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": "Denis Waitley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Better to seek change by inspiration,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-than-out-of-desperation/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/better-to-seek-change-by-inspiration-than-out-of-desperation/#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 } } ] } ```