--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the need to succeed is as bad as the…" description: "\"When the need to succeed is as bad as the need to breathe, then you'll be successful.\" — Eric Thomas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bea/eric-thomas-1758_being-successful_when-the-need-to-succeed-is-as-bad-as-th_2848201.png" --- # When the need to succeed is as bad as the need to breathe… ![“When the need to succeed is as bad as the need to breathe, then you'll be successful.” quote by Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bea/eric-thomas-1758_being-successful_when-the-need-to-succeed-is-as-bad-as-th_2848201.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bea/eric-thomas-1758_being-successful_when-the-need-to-succeed-is-as-bad-as-th_2848201.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bea/eric-thomas-1758_being-successful_when-the-need-to-succeed-is-as-bad-as-th_2848201.png) > “When the need to succeed is as bad as the need to breathe, then you'll be successful.” [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) This quote is also attributed to [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) in other sources. Attributions for famous quotes are often disputed. ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He equates the drive to succeed with the instinct to breathe, implying relentless effort leads to success. **In simple terms:** Desire to succeed is as vital as breathing; relentless effort yields success. Key Takeaway Treat ambition as essential as breathing. Themes motivation success determination survival Mood energetic determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career goals - personal development - sports training Key Concepts psychology of drive habit formation Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance drive and rest? - What signs indicate overexertion? A Different Perspective Burnout can result from constant pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-successful/) [Breathe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathe/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Inspiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [Need Breathe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-breathe-403445/) [Need Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-succeed-435404/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed/) [Succeed Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed-bad-530990/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) ## Related quotes > [When the need to succeed is as bad as the need to breathe, then youll be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/when-the-need-to-succeed-is-as-bad-as-the-need-to-breathe-then-youll/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“Only when you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, will you be successful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/only-when-you-want-to-succeed-as-bad-as-you-want-to-breathe-will-you/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [You have to want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/you-have-to-want-to-succeed-as-bad-as-you-want-to-breathe/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-want-to-succeed-as-bad-as-you-want-to-breathe-then-you-ll-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Everything in me is saying give up; that I don’t need her, but I do. I need her like I need to breathe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-mclaughlin/everything-in-me-is-saying-give-up-that-i-don-t-need-her-but-i-do-i/) [Heidi McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-mclaughlin/) > [You don't always need a plan, sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go, and see what happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/you-don-t-always-need-a-plan-sometimes-you-just-need-to-breathe-trust/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breath, then you'll be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-ybarra/when-you-want-to-succeed-as-bad-as-you-want-to-breath-then-you-ll-be/) [Marcus Ybarra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-ybarra/) > [If you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe! Then you will be successful!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-to-succeed-as-bad-as-you-want-to-breathe-then-you-will-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In a good economy, people work hard to succeed. 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You have to look bad before you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/to-succeed-you-have-to-do-something-and-be-very-bad-at-it-for-a-while/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [I want to succeed so bad, but I understand how to sacrifice for the team. My dad always says, 'If you're not getting better,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-oubre-jr/i-want-to-succeed-so-bad-but-i-understand-how-to-sacrifice-for-the/) [Kelly Oubre, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-oubre-jr/) > [When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then youll be successful. -](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/when-you-want-to-succeed-as-bad-as-you-want-to-breathe-then-youll-be/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) ## More by Eric Thomas > [Your relationships will either make you or break you and there is no such thing as a neutral relationship. People either inspire you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/your-relationships-will-either-make-you-or-break-you-and-there-is-no/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [At some point in life you have to face your fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/at-some-point-in-life-you-have-to-face-your-fears/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [When you're great! You attract great! When you're average! 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