--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be yourself. Follow your instincts…" description: "\"Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to 'carry it off.'\" — Donald Rumsfeld" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23c/donald-rumsfeld-1507_ability_be-yourself-follow-your-instincts-succes_2745778.png" --- # Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at… ![“Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to 'carry it off.'” quote by Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23c/donald-rumsfeld-1507_ability_be-yourself-follow-your-instincts-succes_2745778.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23c/donald-rumsfeld-1507_ability_be-yourself-follow-your-instincts-succes_2745778.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23c/donald-rumsfeld-1507_ability_be-yourself-follow-your-instincts-succes_2745778.png) > “Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to 'carry it off.'” [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success requires authenticity and trusting your intuition, plus the skill to present it convincingly. **In simple terms:** Be authentic, trust gut, and present well. Key Takeaway Align actions with inner self and communicate confidently. Themes authenticity intuition presentation confidence Mood determined reflective Type motivational advice When to use this quote - job interviews - public speaking - leadership decisions - personal branding Key Concepts self-awareness social perception impression management Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance instinct with external feedback? - When is it okay to hide true self? A Different Perspective May be hard to gauge others' reactions; risk of misreading context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [I will follow my instincts, be myself for good or ill, and see what will be the upshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/i-will-follow-my-instincts-be-myself-for-good-or-ill-and-see-what/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Never to be frightened of taking risks and always follow your instincts!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/never-to-be-frightened-of-taking-risks-and-always-follow-your/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“...if you live with your conscience and follow your instincts, you can get through with inner peace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noor-al-hussein/if-you-live-with-your-conscience-and-follow-your-instincts-you-can/) Noor Al Hussein > [I follow my instincts and my excitement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-macdonald/i-follow-my-instincts-and-my-excitement/) [Rory MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-macdonald/) > [I follow my instincts and I always think about what movie I would like to see. If I want to see it then I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-aja/i-follow-my-instincts-and-i-always-think-about-what-movie-i-would/) [Alexandre Aja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-aja/) > [“The formula I've figured out: Stop being so damn picky and let go of the mental image of an ideal; talk to more strangers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-machacek/the-formula-i-ve-figured-out-stop-being-so-damn-picky-and-let-go-of/) [Rachel Machacek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-machacek/) > [I think everyone should follow their instincts, and go with what they feel, and follow their heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-malone/i-think-everyone-should-follow-their-instincts-and-go-with-what-they/) [Jena Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-malone/) > [My films are the expression of momentary desires. I follow my instincts, but in a disciplined way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/my-films-are-the-expression-of-momentary-desires-i-follow-my/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [Follow your instincts and live with the consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/follow-your-instincts-and-live-with-the-consequences/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“My mom always says that you have to trust yourself and follow your instincts,” Amy said quietly. “She says that the only regrets she’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-shawn/my-mom-always-says-that-you-have-to-trust-yourself-and-follow-your/) [Melanie Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-shawn/) > [“It does no good to run. And it does no good to hide. But I know what it's like. Your brain shuts down, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-carey-peter-gross/it-does-no-good-to-run-and-it-does-no-good-to-hide-but-i-know-what-it/) Mike Carey & Peter Gross > [What better way to discover the unknown than to follow your instincts instead of your plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-potts/what-better-way-to-discover-the-unknown-than-to-follow-your-instincts/) [Rolf Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-potts/) > [You can find the way by yourself naturally, you just need a guide to tell you to be careful, to not do this to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastien-foucan/you-can-find-the-way-by-yourself-naturally-you-just-need-a-guide-to/) [Sebastien Foucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastien-foucan/) > [“No relationship is greater than the one I have with myself. I just need to trust my gut, follow my instincts, and when someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-collins/no-relationship-is-greater-than-the-one-i-have-with-myself-i-just/) [Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-collins/) > [I will follow my instincts, and be myself for good or ill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/i-will-follow-my-instincts-and-be-myself-for-good-or-ill/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) ## More by Donald Rumsfeld > [Five days or five months, but it certainly isn't going to last longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/five-days-or-five-months-but-it-certainly-isn-t-going-to-last-longer/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [I don't believe anyone that I know in the administration ever said that Iraq had nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/i-don-t-believe-anyone-that-i-know-in-the-administration-ever-said/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [I don't think we'll discover anything, myself. I think what will happen is we'll discover people who will tell us where to go find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/i-don-t-think-we-ll-discover-anything-myself-i-think-what-will-happen/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate are not there by accident. Each managed to get there for some reason. Learn what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/members-of-the-u-s-house-and-the-u-s-senate-are-not-there-by-accident/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential program is truly a federal responsibility or whether it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/the-federal-government-should-be-the-last-resort-not-the-first-ask-if/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him if you don't tell him the truth. Others won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/the-price-of-being-close-to-the-president-is-delivering-bad-news-you/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/don-t-speak-ill-of-your-predecessors-or-successors-you-didn-t-walk-in/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [If you can't solve a problem, make it bigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/if-you-can-t-solve-a-problem-make-it-bigger/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/enjoy-your-time-in-public-service-it-may-well-be-one-of-the-most/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [There will be good moments, and there will be less good moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/there-will-be-good-moments-and-there-will-be-less-good-moments/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [From where you sit, the White House may look as untidy as the inside of a stomach. As is said of the legislative process,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/from-where-you-sit-the-white-house-may-look-as-untidy-as-the-inside/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/you-will-launch-many-projects-but-have-time-to-finish-only-a-few-so/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [What is the value of having millions of people in Iraq not having a repressive regime? What is the value of having the Iraqi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/what-is-the-value-of-having-millions-of-people-in-iraq-not-having-a/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or you, delegate it. Force responsibility down and out. Find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/don-t-be-a-bottleneck-if-a-matter-is-not-a-decision-for-the-president/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [When you're skiing, if you're not falling you're not trying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/when-you-re-skiing-if-you-re-not-falling-you-re-not-trying/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) [Explore all 234 Donald Rumsfeld quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Be yourself. 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