---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What matters is what you do. And this…"
description: "\"What matters is what you do. And this runs counter to what a lot of the culture teaches people about putting feelings first. By contrast, resilient peo..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82d/eric-greitens-3611_about_what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-run_1054618.png"
---

#  What matters is what you do. And this runs counter to what…

![“What matters is what you do. And this runs counter to what a lot of the culture teaches people about putting feelings first. By contrast, resilient people focus not on what they intend, but on what they achieve.” quote by Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82d/eric-greitens-3611_about_what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-run_1054618.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82d/eric-greitens-3611_about_what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-run_1054618.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82d/eric-greitens-3611_about_what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-run_1054618.png)

> “What matters is what you do. And this runs counter to what a lot of the culture teaches people about putting feelings first. By contrast, resilient people focus not on what they intend, but on what they achieve.”

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Action outweighs intention; success comes from what you accomplish, not just feelings.

**In simple terms:** Focus on achievements, not just emotions.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize tangible results over feelings.

Themes

resilience action achievement

Mood

motivational pragmatic

Type

practical inspirational

When to use this quote

- career progress
- personal goals
- habit formation
- leadership

Key Concepts

goal setting psychology behavioral science

Questions to Reflect On

- What actions prove your resilience?
- How can you balance feeling and doing?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on feelings can paralyze decision‑making.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Resilient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resilient/)

## Related quotes

> [A resilient people cherishing liberty and equality and the rule of law will endure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-rahall/a-resilient-people-cherishing-liberty-and-equality-and-the-rule-of/)

[Nick Rahall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-rahall/)

> [When you believe in what you’re doing, that’s the first thing. And you have to be resilient, because people are going to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-charney/when-you-believe-in-what-you-re-doing-that-s-the-first-thing-and-you/)

[Dov Charney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-charney/)

> [Highly resilient people are flexible, adapt to new circumstances quickly, and thrive in constant change. Most important, they expect to bounce back and feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-siebert/highly-resilient-people-are-flexible-adapt-to-new-circumstances/)

Al Siebert

> [Rather than dispute their shortcomings or hide their mistakes, resilient people are authentic. Their humble, self-aware approach assists them in developing strategies to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/rather-than-dispute-their-shortcomings-or-hide-their-mistakes/)

[Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/)

> [The Pakistanis are very resilient people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/the-pakistanis-are-very-resilient-people/)

[Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/)

> [Rather than make excuses for their failures, resilient people learn from each mistake. They identify skills, ideas, and life lessons that can be gained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/rather-than-make-excuses-for-their-failures-resilient-people-learn/)

[Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/)

> [Resilient people recognize that no matter how bad the circumstances are, their situation could always be worse. They don't allow themselves to exaggerate how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/resilient-people-recognize-that-no-matter-how-bad-the-circumstances/)

[Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/)

> [I think that Detroiters are some of the most resilient people in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mayer-hawthorne/i-think-that-detroiters-are-some-of-the-most-resilient-people-in-the/)

[Mayer Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mayer-hawthorne/)

> [First of all we have to recognize that despite all the problems - and in some cases failures - that this regime has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-reiss/first-of-all-we-have-to-recognize-that-despite-all-the-problems-and/)

[Mitchell Reiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchell-reiss/)

> [Resilient people aren't afraid to admit they have weaknesses. Whether an effective leader acknowledges problems within an organization, or an individual recognizes areas in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/resilient-people-aren-t-afraid-to-admit-they-have-weaknesses-whether/)

[Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/)

> [America, at its core, is a country of strong and resilient people who are prepared to confront the challenges posed by those who seek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hoekstra/america-at-its-core-is-a-country-of-strong-and-resilient-people-who/)

[Pete Hoekstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hoekstra/)

> [We are a resilient people defined by our hospitality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tate-reeves/we-are-a-resilient-people-defined-by-our-hospitality/)

[Tate Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tate-reeves/)

> [Curiosity has ... proven to be a great ingredient in resilience, a trait particularly valuable in an extended economic downturn. Resilient people aren't made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/curiosity-has-proven-to-be-a-great-ingredient-in-resilience-a-trait/)

[Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/)

> [It's a common theme around the city of New Orleans; we're resilient people because we have to be. We love this place with all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-landrieu/it-s-a-common-theme-around-the-city-of-new-orleans-we-re-resilient/)

[Mitch Landrieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-landrieu/)

> [“What Makes Up Resilience? If you look at the current research, here are five of the most common factors of resilient people: They are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/what-makes-up-resilience-if-you-look-at-the-current-research-here-are/)

[Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/)

## More by Eric Greitens

> [If you want to start or grow a business in the state of Missouri and hire more people with good jobs, I will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/if-you-want-to-start-or-grow-a-business-in-the-state-of-missouri-and/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [To be very clear, I have completely ruled out state funding for stadiums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/to-be-very-clear-i-have-completely-ruled-out-state-funding-for/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [So Hell Week is considered to be the hardest week of the hardest military training in the world. It is a week of continuous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/so-hell-week-is-considered-to-be-the-hardest-week-of-the-hardest/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [People know if you care about them. How do you show people that you care? By caring for them. By putting their needs first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/people-know-if-you-care-about-them-how-do-you-show-people-that-you/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [Success means eliminating Al Qaeda's ability to launch terrorist attacks against the United States and our allies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/success-means-eliminating-al-qaeda-s-ability-to-launch-terrorist/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [God has a way of helping you to move through suffering and actually become stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/god-has-a-way-of-helping-you-to-move-through-suffering-and-actually/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [Yet the basic fact remains: we live in a world marked by violence, and if we want to protect others, we sometimes have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/yet-the-basic-fact-remains-we-live-in-a-world-marked-by-violence-and/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [When we make these decisions that we're going to commit ourselves to making a difference in the life of one person every single day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/when-we-make-these-decisions-that-we-re-going-to-commit-ourselves-to/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [“If you respected someone, then you had to ask something of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/if-you-respected-someone-then-you-had-to-ask-something-of-them/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [What happens for a lot of veterans when they come home, especially when they get back to their community is that they can go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/what-happens-for-a-lot-of-veterans-when-they-come-home-especially/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [Part of the attraction of the SEAL teams was the incredible tests that it offered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/part-of-the-attraction-of-the-seal-teams-was-the-incredible-tests/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [Teach your children early not to pass the blame or make excuses, but to take responsibility for their actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/teach-your-children-early-not-to-pass-the-blame-or-make-excuses-but/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [The mistake that I made was that I was engaged in a consensual relationship with a woman who was not my wife. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/the-mistake-that-i-made-was-that-i-was-engaged-in-a-consensual/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [I don't think that we need to raise tuition on our students. I don't think that our students should be made to pay for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/i-don-t-think-that-we-need-to-raise-tuition-on-our-students-i-don-t/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [If people can live through genocide and retain compassion, if they can take strength in pain, if they are able, still, to laugh, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/if-people-can-live-through-genocide-and-retain-compassion-if-they-can/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

[Explore all 126 Eric Greitens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

## More About quotes

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. 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/)

> [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/)

[Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/)

> [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/)

[Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/)

> [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/)

[Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/)

> [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/)

[Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/)

> [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/)

[Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/)

> [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/)

[Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/)

> [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/)

> [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/)

[Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/)

> [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/)

[Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/)

> [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/)

[Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/)

> [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/)

[Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/)

> [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/)

[Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/)

> [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/)

[John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/)

> [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/)

[Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/)

Browse all 26,122 About quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "What matters is what you do. And this runs counter to what a lot of the culture teaches people about putting feelings first. By contrast, resilient people focus not on what they intend, but on what they achieve.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Eric Greitens"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-runs-counter-to-what-a-lot-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "About"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-runs-counter-to-what-a-lot-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82d/eric-greitens-3611_about_what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-run_1054618.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82d/eric-greitens-3611_about_what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-run_1054618.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82d/eric-greitens-3611_about_what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-run_1054618.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“What matters is what you do. And this runs counter to what a lot of the culture teaches people about putting…” — Eric Greitens",
                "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": "Eric Greitens",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "What matters is what you do....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-runs-counter-to-what-a-lot-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/what-matters-is-what-you-do-and-this-runs-counter-to-what-a-lot-of/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
