--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It isn't where you came from, It's where…" description: "\"It isn't where you came from, It's where you're going that counts\" — Ella Fitzgerald" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/ella-fitzgerald-13294_came_it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where_2987667.jpg" --- # It isn't where you came from, It's where you're going that… ![“It isn't where you came from, It's where you're going that counts” quote by Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/ella-fitzgerald-13294_came_it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where_2987667.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/ella-fitzgerald-13294_came_it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where_2987667.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/ella-fitzgerald-13294_came_it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where_2987667.jpg) > “It isn't where you came from, It's where you're going that counts” [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights that future direction matters more than past origins. **In simple terms:** Your path matters more than your past. Key Takeaway Focus on future goals. Themes growth future orientation self‑determination Mood inspirational reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - education - relocation - self‑reflection Key Concepts personal development goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What future goals define you? - How can you honor your past while moving forward? A Different Perspective Past experiences still shape opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [It isn't where you came from, its where you're going that counts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-its-where-you-re-going-that-counts/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [“It isn't where you came frome; it's where you're going that counts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/it-isn-t-where-you-came-frome-it-s-where-you-re-going-that-counts/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [A lot of the bands I loved, I didn't know where they came from or where they were going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bucky-pope/a-lot-of-the-bands-i-loved-i-didn-t-know-where-they-came-from-or/) [Bucky Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bucky-pope/) > [When my son was small, he just came with me everywhere, whether it was going to yoga class or auditions or sleeping over at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-shaw/when-my-son-was-small-he-just-came-with-me-everywhere-whether-it-was/) [Frankie Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-shaw/) > [The coffers are full of money and equipment for the Ferguson Police and the Missouri National Guard to put down a potential uprising, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/the-coffers-are-full-of-money-and-equipment-for-the-ferguson-police/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [I was always confident that if someone took the chance to play me week in and week out that I would fulfil my potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-cahill/i-was-always-confident-that-if-someone-took-the-chance-to-play-me/) [Gary Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-cahill/) > [We all have a potential revolutionary energy inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-lelio/we-all-have-a-potential-revolutionary-energy-inside/) [Sebastian Lelio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-lelio/) > [“When we perform at our highest level of potential, we are content. Because we have given I best in what we enjoy doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-we-perform-at-our-highest-level-of-potential-we-are-content/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Your journey through life and self-discovery is much like the start of a new day. As you grow, develop, and reinvent yourself, the tendrils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-narofsky/your-journey-through-life-and-self-discovery-is-much-like-the-start/) [Thomas Narofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-narofsky/) > [Let your mind be its own and enjoy what you can not all things in life are in need of a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-timbre/let-your-mind-be-its-own-and-enjoy-what-you-can-not-all-things-in/) [Jamie Timbre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-timbre/) > [I have faith in the players, who have paid me back on the pitch. I have brought in young players because they have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karim-benzema/i-have-faith-in-the-players-who-have-paid-me-back-on-the-pitch-i-have/) [Karim Benzema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karim-benzema/) > [There is potential for more Chinese investment in India's infrastructure, and there are already Chinese investors in India's power and telecoms sector as well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-bhattacharya/there-is-potential-for-more-chinese-investment-in-india-s/) [Arundhati Bhattacharya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-bhattacharya/) > [When certain stars take you under their wing, it does help as they gauge your potential and are willing to work with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-bhatt/when-certain-stars-take-you-under-their-wing-it-does-help-as-they/) [Vikram Bhatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-bhatt/) > [I'm a great believer in people and their untapped potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-bester/i-m-a-great-believer-in-people-and-their-untapped-potential/) [Alfred Bester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-bester/) > [You know, it brings in a lot of different people; you take people off the street, and kids, and people from all different walks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-lamy/you-know-it-brings-in-a-lot-of-different-people-you-take-people-off/) [Michele Lamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-lamy/) ## More by Ella Fitzgerald > [It isn't where you came from, its where you're going that counts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-its-where-you-re-going-that-counts/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [The fabulous places I've been, wonderful things that've happened, great people I've met ought to make a story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/the-fabulous-places-i-ve-been-wonderful-things-that-ve-happened-great/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [One of these mornings youre goin to rise up singing. Then youll spread your wings and youll take the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/one-of-these-mornings-youre-goin-to-rise-up-singing-then-youll-spread/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [Ella knows her way around her voice as very few people today. But there are times when she seems to be unaware there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/ella-knows-her-way-around-her-voice-as-very-few-people-today-but/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [Ome kids in Italy call me 'Mama Jazz; I thought that was so cute. As long as they don't call me 'Grandma Jazz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/ome-kids-in-italy-call-me-mama-jazz-i-thought-that-was-so-cute-as/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [Music is the universal language ... it brings people closer together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/music-is-the-universal-language-it-brings-people-closer-together/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [I will pour into that one note. All the love I feel for you...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/i-will-pour-into-that-one-note-all-the-love-i-feel-for-you/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [I guess what everyone wants more than anything else is to be loved. And to know that you loved me for my singing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/i-guess-what-everyone-wants-more-than-anything-else-is-to-be-loved/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [“Won't you tell him please to put on some speed, follow my lead, oh how I need, someone to watch over me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/won-t-you-tell-him-please-to-put-on-some-speed-follow-my-lead-oh-how/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [Once, when we were playing at the Apollo Theater, Holiday was working a block away at the Harlem Opera House. Some of us went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/once-when-we-were-playing-at-the-apollo-theater-holiday-was-working-a/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [ Nobody else even approaches the trumpet like \[Sweets Edison\] does: Never too much and always plenty. He's the greatest trumpet player to play along… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/nobody-else-even-approaches-the-trumpet-like-sweets-edison-does-never/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [“I have been rich, and I have been poor. Believe me baby, rich is better!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/i-have-been-rich-and-i-have-been-poor-believe-me-baby-rich-is-better/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/just-don-t-give-up-trying-to-do-what-you-really-want-to-do-where/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/just-don-t-give-up-trying-to-do-what-you-really-want-to-do/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [I think I do better when I sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/i-think-i-do-better-when-i-sing/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) [Explore all 51 Ella Fitzgerald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) ## More Came quotes > [After '8 Mile' came out and blew up, the ball has been rolling ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-benson-miller/after-8-mile-came-out-and-blew-up-the-ball-has-been-rolling-ever-since/) [Omar Benson Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-benson-miller/) > [Oh, I'm a great believer in the power of the pause. Radio is a bit brasher now. My style was slower. I just used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-wogan/oh-i-m-a-great-believer-in-the-power-of-the-pause-radio-is-a-bit/) [Terry Wogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-wogan/) > [I was painfully shy, so my aunt suggested to my mum that me and my brother go to Stage 84, a performing arts school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cooke/i-was-painfully-shy-so-my-aunt-suggested-to-my-mum-that-me-and-my/) [Christian Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cooke/) > [I was strictly after hits when it came down to the Jackson 5. That's all I was concerned with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deke-richards/i-was-strictly-after-hits-when-it-came-down-to-the-jackson-5-that-s/) Deke Richards > [We only call at ducks when their rear ends are towards us. If I'm looking at you and you call my name, then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jase-robertson/we-only-call-at-ducks-when-their-rear-ends-are-towards-us-if-i-m/) [Jase Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jase-robertson/) > [Yes, I worked in Montreal. I worked there for 20 years... I came back to Beauce in 2006 to represent the Beaucerons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxime-bernier/yes-i-worked-in-montreal-i-worked-there-for-20-years-i-came-back-to/) [Maxime Bernier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxime-bernier/) > [My parents were, had a marriage of passion, and the passion was about their religious beliefs. They were both immigrant families that - well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-jackson/my-parents-were-had-a-marriage-of-passion-and-the-passion-was-about/) [Phil Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-jackson/) > [As someone who came to New York in the 1970s, I was, like so many of my friends, a certified member of what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graydon-carter/as-someone-who-came-to-new-york-in-the-1970s-i-was-like-so-many-of-my/) [Graydon Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graydon-carter/) > [I have never really been fond of animals. I certainly wasn't an 'animal lover' when I became involved in the movement. I just came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/i-have-never-really-been-fond-of-animals-i-certainly-wasn-t-an-animal/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“I came back to You because I could not find the kind and decent things I found in You anywhere else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/i-came-back-to-you-because-i-could-not-find-the-kind-and-decent/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [There's a whole generation of women who never really heard the word investment before, when it came to fashion. They've been buying things because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-kors/there-s-a-whole-generation-of-women-who-never-really-heard-the-word/) [Michael Kors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-kors/) > [When President Obama first came into office in 2009, I spent a fair amount of time in Michigan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-deese/when-president-obama-first-came-into-office-in-2009-i-spent-a-fair/) [Brian Deese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-deese/) > [I can't tell you how good it is to go from 'Homeland' to be lucky enough to find 'The Blacklist' at the right time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-klattenhoff/i-can-t-tell-you-how-good-it-is-to-go-from-homeland-to-be-lucky/) [Diego Klattenhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-klattenhoff/) > [I had a dream. And it came true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hathaway/i-had-a-dream-and-it-came-true/) [Anne Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hathaway/) > [I don't know how 'X Factor' works. I was only there as a guest judge for a day. But I watched 'The Voice' a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-don-t-know-how-x-factor-works-i-was-only-there-as-a-guest-judge-for/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) Browse all 2,787 Came quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It isn't where you came from, It's where you're going that counts", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ella Fitzgerald" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where-you-re-going-that-counts/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Came" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where-you-re-going-that-counts/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/ella-fitzgerald-13294_came_it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where_2987667.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/ella-fitzgerald-13294_came_it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where_2987667.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/ella-fitzgerald-13294_came_it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where_2987667.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It isn't where you came from, It's where you're going that counts” — Ella Fitzgerald", "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": "Ella Fitzgerald", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It isn't where you came from,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where-you-re-going-that-counts/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/it-isn-t-where-you-came-from-it-s-where-you-re-going-that-counts/#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 } } ] } ```