--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [We need to push] for what we want, not…" description: "\"[We need to push] for what we want, not just what we can get.\" — Eleanor Smeal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/eleanor-smeal-14458_needs_we-need-to-push-for-what-we-want-not-jus_2883500.png" --- # \[We need to push\] for what we want, not just what we can… ![“[We need to push] for what we want, not just what we can get.” quote by Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/eleanor-smeal-14458_needs_we-need-to-push-for-what-we-want-not-jus_2883500.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/eleanor-smeal-14458_needs_we-need-to-push-for-what-we-want-not-jus_2883500.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/eleanor-smeal-14458_needs_we-need-to-push-for-what-we-want-not-jus_2883500.png) > “\[We need to push\] for what we want, not just what we can get.” [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actively pursue desires rather than settle for what is merely attainable. **In simple terms:** Push for what you truly want. Key Takeaway Aim higher, act now. Themes ambition goal‑setting empowerment Mood determined hopeful Type motivational practical When to use this quote - career advancement - social change - personal growth Key Concepts self‑determination agency Questions to Reflect On - What do you truly desire? - How to align resources with goals? A Different Perspective Risk of overreaching without resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Need Push](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-push-313981/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Push](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/push/) [Push Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/push-want-2216755/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-just/) [Women 's rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-s-rights/) ## Related quotes > [I don't need others to push me. I push myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bisping/i-don-t-need-others-to-push-me-i-push-myself/) [Michael Bisping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bisping/) > [I know what I bring to the table, I know my work. That's why I'm able to push for what I want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-adesanya/i-know-what-i-bring-to-the-table-i-know-my-work-that-s-why-i-m-able/) [Israel Adesanya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-adesanya/) > [Find a group of friends that are going to push you and want you to do better whether it's in the classroom or on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/collin-sexton/find-a-group-of-friends-that-are-going-to-push-you-and-want-you-to-do/) [Collin Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/collin-sexton/) > [“I can't afford to gamble." His breath came out in a hiss, but he tightened his grip around her. "So we'll take it slow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxanne-snopek/i-can-t-afford-to-gamble-his-breath-came-out-in-a-hiss-but-he/) [Roxanne Snopek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxanne-snopek/) > [I always want to push on, I always want to keep going because I feel like I've missed out on things in the past,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michail-antonio/i-always-want-to-push-on-i-always-want-to-keep-going-because-i-feel/) [Michail Antonio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michail-antonio/) > [I love to experiment, to push myself, and I want people to accept me in roles that I have never attempted before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rishi-kapoor/i-love-to-experiment-to-push-myself-and-i-want-people-to-accept-me-in/) [Rishi Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rishi-kapoor/) > [I think everybody in WWE and NXT want to be involved in WrestleMania. I can huff and puff and push all I want, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-balor/i-think-everybody-in-wwe-and-nxt-want-to-be-involved-in-wrestlemania/) [Finn Balor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-balor/) > [That's the thing with top players, the higher you go up, the more you want. You want to push your body, push your mind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-campbell/that-s-the-thing-with-top-players-the-higher-you-go-up-the-more-you/) [Sol Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-campbell/) > [This is one of the benefits, as well as one of the difficulties of directing a member of your family. You know where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilio-estevez/this-is-one-of-the-benefits-as-well-as-one-of-the-difficulties-of/) [Emilio Estevez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilio-estevez/) > [Don't look to others for motivation, if you're not going to push yourself, nobody will. You have to want it in order to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-look-to-others-for-motivation-if-you-re-not-going-to-push/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you get asked if you want the title, you really need to push for that. That's why I want to do it my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/when-you-get-asked-if-you-want-the-title-you-really-need-to-push-for/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [Carolyn Maloney has extensive - she's shown over and over again her creativity, her determination, her tenacity in fighting for women's rights. She has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/carolyn-maloney-has-extensive-she-s-shown-over-and-over-again-her/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [It's going to be very important that we as women's rights advocates are involved in redistricting of both the states legislatures and of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/it-s-going-to-be-very-important-that-we-as-women-s-rights-advocates/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [Things are going to happen whether you are there or not, you still need someone to push the button on the camera and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-berkeley/things-are-going-to-happen-whether-you-are-there-or-not-you-still/) [Neil Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-berkeley/) > [I don't need to push myself. I don't need to sharpen my own knife and slit my throat. I'm trying to chill it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/i-don-t-need-to-push-myself-i-don-t-need-to-sharpen-my-own-knife-and/) [Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/) ## More by Eleanor Smeal > [Feminist humor raises consciousness. And the reason it's funny is because it stands something on its head. Goodness knows you've got to have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/feminist-humor-raises-consciousness-and-the-reason-it-s-funny-is/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [I'm not a prejudice person, and I've worked with many male legislators and some have been excellent for us, so I'm not speaking against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/i-m-not-a-prejudice-person-and-i-ve-worked-with-many-male-legislators/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [We want this - and I - we hope that right when they come back, that the Congress passes the Lilly Ledbetter Act which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/we-want-this-and-i-we-hope-that-right-when-they-come-back-that-the/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [ Carolyn \[Maloney\] is the kind of legislator who, whether she's in the majority or the minority, whether her party is in the majority or… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/carolyn-maloney-is-the-kind-of-legislator-who-whether-she-s-in-the/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [The gag rule is, is that if any program receiving United States funding for Family Planning cannot mention, cannot speak the word "abortion" in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/the-gag-rule-is-is-that-if-any-program-receiving-united-states/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [Since 1996, the Feminist Majority Foundation has been immersed in a campaign to support Afghan women and girls in their fight against the brutal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/since-1996-the-feminist-majority-foundation-has-been-immersed-in-a/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [Since the 1950s (until the early 1990s), girls in Kabul and other cities attended schools. Half of university students were women, and women made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/since-the-1950s-until-the-early-1990s-girls-in-kabul-and-other-cities/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [ We think that Hillary \[Clinton\] will be a symbol and a reality for the women of the world, and it's very important because so… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/we-think-that-hillary-clinton-will-be-a-symbol-and-a-reality-for-the/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [Carolyn Maloney is really constantly thinking, "How do we improve things?" You know, sees the glass always half-full, and you have to be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/carolyn-maloney-is-really-constantly-thinking-how-do-we-improve/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [ She \[Carolyn Maloney\] has there day in and day out for us and for women of this country and of the world, but she… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/she-carolyn-maloney-has-there-day-in-and-day-out-for-us-and-for-women/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [I think that we're just fortunate that you have an experienced legislator: 26 years of fighting for our issues in line. I mean, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/i-think-that-we-re-just-fortunate-that-you-have-an-experienced/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [Carolyn Maloney knows how to get something done, and as I said, it doesn't matter if she's in the majority or the minority. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/carolyn-maloney-knows-how-to-get-something-done-and-as-i-said-it/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [Well it's unusual for us to do an endorsement, you know, and the special occasions where you need appointments, but we thought that Senator…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/well-it-s-unusual-for-us-to-do-an-endorsement-you-know-and-the/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [We have so few women in Congress. We are so underrepresented and whether we like it or not, we are in area - in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/we-have-so-few-women-in-congress-we-are-so-underrepresented-and/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) > [I have been studying women's political behavior since the early 1970s and first identified the gender gap in 1980 with the help of legendary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-smeal/i-have-been-studying-women-s-political-behavior-since-the-early-1970s/) [Eleanor Smeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) [Explore all 46 Eleanor Smeal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-smeal/) ## More Needs quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. 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Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [If your life's at a juncture and you need to think about things, there's nowhere better than home. However old you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-kinsella/if-your-life-s-at-a-juncture-and-you-need-to-think-about-things-there/) [Sophie Kinsella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-kinsella/) > [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/) > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [It is irresponsible to set an arbitrary cap on how much therapy a Medicare beneficiary can receive. It ignores the health needs of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ensign/it-is-irresponsible-to-set-an-arbitrary-cap-on-how-much-therapy-a/) [John Ensign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ensign/) > [Sometimes it's just enough for me to have the idea. I don't need to see it through to the end. When it actually happens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/sometimes-it-s-just-enough-for-me-to-have-the-idea-i-don-t-need-to/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [Don’t you just hate nights like that, when you think over every mistake you’ve made, every hurt you’ve received, every bit of meanness you’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlaine-harris/don-t-you-just-hate-nights-like-that-when-you-think-over-every/) [Charlaine Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlaine-harris/) > [I was very lucky to get well known much later in life. 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