--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Change happens when you understand what…" description: "\"Change happens when you understand what you want to change so deeply that there is no reason to do anything but act in your own best interest.\" — Genee..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/geneen-roth-3050_change_change-happens-when-you-understand-what_926734.jpg" --- # Change happens when you understand what you want to change… ![“Change happens when you understand what you want to change so deeply that there is no reason to do anything but act in your own best interest.” quote by Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/geneen-roth-3050_change_change-happens-when-you-understand-what_926734.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/geneen-roth-3050_change_change-happens-when-you-understand-what_926734.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/geneen-roth-3050_change_change-happens-when-you-understand-what_926734.jpg) > “Change happens when you understand what you want to change so deeply that there is no reason to do anything but act in your own best interest.” [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True change occurs when desire for transformation is so deep that in becomes the only logical action, aligning with personal best interests. **In simple terms:** Deep desire drives inevitable change. Key Takeaway Align desire with action for personal growth. Themes self-improvement psychology motivation change identity Mood hopeful determined Type self-help motivational When to use this quote - personal coaching - habit formation - goal setting - therapeutic practice Key Concepts intrinsic motivation self-awareness behavioral shift Questions to Reflect On - What core desire fuels your change? - How can you ensure actions serve long-term wellbeing? A Different Perspective Risk of impulsive actions without planning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change Deeply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-deeply-1477298/) [Change Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-happens/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [No reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-reason/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Understand Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand-want/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-change/) [What you want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/what-you-want/) ## Related quotes > [“The survival of humanity depends less on how fast we adapt to change, and more on how deeply we preserve what must never change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/the-survival-of-humanity-depends-less-on-how-fast-we-adapt-to-change/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [Behavior runs in deep channels that were cut during early childhood, and it is very difficult to alter them. In order to change a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/behavior-runs-in-deep-channels-that-were-cut-during-early-childhood/) [James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/) > [There's not one moment from my journey that I'd want to change. Everything happens for a reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-arians/there-s-not-one-moment-from-my-journey-that-i-d-want-to-change/) [Bruce Arians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-arians/) > [When you don't want to be where you are, you create suffering for yourself. Change happens through acceptance, kindness and relaxation--not resistance, not warfare,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/when-you-don-t-want-to-be-where-you-are-you-create-suffering-for/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [Real change happens bit by bit. It takes great effort to become effortless at anything. There are no quick fixes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/real-change-happens-bit-by-bit-it-takes-great-effort-to-become/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [We always want to change the channel in our minds because we don't like what's going on. It's uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/we-always-want-to-change-the-channel-in-our-minds-because-we-don-t/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [Look at what you want to change, gather a few people who believe in it like you do, and start moving forward. It's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/look-at-what-you-want-to-change-gather-a-few-people-who-believe-in-it/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [Change in yourself what you want to change in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/change-in-yourself-what-you-want-to-change-in-the-world/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Imagine not being frightened by any feeling. Imagine knowing that nothing will destroy you. That you are beyond any feeling, and state. Bigger than.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/imagine-not-being-frightened-by-any-feeling-imagine-knowing-that/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“I want to learn how to speak to anyone at any time and make us both feel a little bit better, lighter, richer, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-eriksson/i-want-to-learn-how-to-speak-to-anyone-at-any-time-and-make-us-both/) [Charlotte Eriksson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-eriksson/) > [I was 19 before. I understand how you want to come in and do so many things on the positive side. You're going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-j-mayo/i-was-19-before-i-understand-how-you-want-to-come-in-and-do-so-many/) [O. J. Mayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-j-mayo/) > [“Don't you understand? I want to spend my life with you. I want you to be there when I go to bed at night…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-anastasiu/don-t-you-understand-i-want-to-spend-my-life-with-you-i-want-you-to/) [Heather Anastasiu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-anastasiu/) > [Understand who you are and who you want to be, and thereby learn how you may best relate to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/understand-who-you-are-and-who-you-want-to-be-and-thereby-learn-how/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [I think that if people look deeply enough into their trading patterns, they find that, on balance, including all their goals, they are really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-seykota/i-think-that-if-people-look-deeply-enough-into-their-trading-patterns/) [Ed Seykota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-seykota/) > [I can't understand why anyone would want to reduce vinegar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-torode/i-can-t-understand-why-anyone-would-want-to-reduce-vinegar/) [John Torode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-torode/) ## More by Geneen Roth > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“Most of us are so enthralled with the scary tigers in our minds--our stories of loneliness, rejection, grief--that we don't realize they are in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/most-of-us-are-so-enthralled-with-the-scary-tigers-in-our-minds-our/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [Most of our suffering comes from resisting what is already here, particularly our feelings. All any feeling wants is to be welcomed, touched, allowed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/most-of-our-suffering-comes-from-resisting-what-is-already-here/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [The relentless attempts to be thin take you further and further away from what could actually end your suffering: getting back in touch with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/the-relentless-attempts-to-be-thin-take-you-further-and-further-away/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I tell my retreat students that they need to remember two things: to eat what they want when they're hungry and to feel what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/i-tell-my-retreat-students-that-they-need-to-remember-two-things-to/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [After initial needs are met—enough food, shelter, comfort—there is no correlation between money and happiness. That's a difficult thing for people to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/after-initial-needs-are-met-enough-food-shelter-comfort-there-is-no/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“When you ignore your belly, you become homeless. You spend your life trying to erase your own existence. Apologizing for yourself. Feeling like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/when-you-ignore-your-belly-you-become-homeless-you-spend-your-life/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“People often mistake tenderheartedness for indulgence, as if being kind to themselves leads to lethargy—sitting around the house all day eating bonbons and wearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/people-often-mistake-tenderheartedness-for-indulgence-as-if-being/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [If you pay attention to when you are hungry, what your body wants, what you are eating, when you've had enough, you end the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/if-you-pay-attention-to-when-you-are-hungry-what-your-body-wants-what/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“Pay careful attention to the bodily sensations that you recognize as hunger. When you feel yourself starting to get hungry, sit down for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/pay-careful-attention-to-the-bodily-sensations-that-you-recognize-as/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [The purpose of healing is to live while you are alive instead of dying while you are alive. Healing is about being broken and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/the-purpose-of-healing-is-to-live-while-you-are-alive-instead-of/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“But replacing hunger for divine connection with Double Stuf Oreos is like giving a glass of sand to a person dying of thirst. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/but-replacing-hunger-for-divine-connection-with-double-stuf-oreos-is/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I live between fearing doom and wishing for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/i-live-between-fearing-doom-and-wishing-for-it/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [Imagine treating yourself with the kindness that you show people you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/imagine-treating-yourself-with-the-kindness-that-you-show-people-you/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“When you are not hungry and decide to eat, choose a food that you ate that day when you were hungry. Be aware of:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/when-you-are-not-hungry-and-decide-to-eat-choose-a-food-that-you-ate/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) [Explore all 141 Geneen Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [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/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Change happens when you understand what you want to change so deeply that there is no reason to do anything but act in your own best interest.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Geneen Roth" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/change-happens-when-you-understand-what-you-want-to-change-so-deeply/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/change-happens-when-you-understand-what-you-want-to-change-so-deeply/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/geneen-roth-3050_change_change-happens-when-you-understand-what_926734.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/geneen-roth-3050_change_change-happens-when-you-understand-what_926734.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/geneen-roth-3050_change_change-happens-when-you-understand-what_926734.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Change happens when you understand what you want to change so deeply that there is no reason to do anything…” — Geneen Roth", "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": "Geneen Roth", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Change happens when you understand what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/change-happens-when-you-understand-what-you-want-to-change-so-deeply/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/change-happens-when-you-understand-what-you-want-to-change-so-deeply/#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 } } ] } ```