--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who only do what they feel like…" description: "\"Those who only do what they feel like, don't do much. To be successful at anything you must take action even when you don't feel like it, knowing it is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/hal-elrod-2116_action_those-who-only-do-what-they-feel-like-do_611932.jpg" --- # Those who only do what they feel like, don't do much. To… ![“Those who only do what they feel like, don't do much. To be successful at anything you must take action even when you don't feel like it, knowing it is the action itself that will produce the motivation you need to follow through.” quote by Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/hal-elrod-2116_action_those-who-only-do-what-they-feel-like-do_611932.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/hal-elrod-2116_action_those-who-only-do-what-they-feel-like-do_611932.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/hal-elrod-2116_action_those-who-only-do-what-they-feel-like-do_611932.jpg) > “Those who only do what they feel like, don't do much. To be successful at anything you must take action even when you don't feel like it, knowing it is the action itself that will produce the motivation you need to follow through.” [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Action precedes motivation; doing work despite low desire builds the drive needed for success. **In simple terms:** Do work first, motivation follows. Key Takeaway Act first, let motivation grow. Themes productivity motivation discipline Mood motivational practical Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - exercise - studying - career projects - creative work Key Concepts behavioral science goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What tasks can you start now? - How do you sustain motivation after action? A Different Perspective Motivation may still lag without clear purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Being successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-successful/) [Follow through](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/follow-through/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking differently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-differently/) ## Related quotes > [When you value your integrity at the highest level, living alignment with your word and following through with your commitments no matter what, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/when-you-value-your-integrity-at-the-highest-level-living-alignment/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Remember that nearly all extraordinary accomplishments began by overcoming a series of challenges that discourage and tempt us to quit, before we succeed. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/remember-that-nearly-all-extraordinary-accomplishments-began-by/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Successful action tends to become an end in itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/successful-action-tends-to-become-an-end-in-itself/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [People don't need motivation, they need guidance. If guided well, motivation will come itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jatin-tanwer/people-don-t-need-motivation-they-need-guidance-if-guided-well/) [Jatin Tanwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jatin-tanwer/) > [Getting told I can't do something gives me all the motivation I need to get that something done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-seider/getting-told-i-can-t-do-something-gives-me-all-the-motivation-i-need/) Anthony Seider > [Establishing and maintaining clarity for yourself and what you want is the starting point for success. Thus, maintaining extraordinary clarity is necessary to achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/establishing-and-maintaining-clarity-for-yourself-and-what-you-want/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Why is it that when a baby is born, we often refer to him or her as 'the miracle of life' but then we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/why-is-it-that-when-a-baby-is-born-we-often-refer-to-him-or-her-as/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [“Motivation doesn't come from empty words, because words fade over time. If persistance and perservance is what you live then what motivation do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-mason/motivation-doesn-t-come-from-empty-words-because-words-fade-over-time/) Gabriel Mason > [“I really believe that music is the only motivation you need-regardless of genre-after that everything else you need to guide you just somehow falls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickey-russell/i-really-believe-that-music-is-the-only-motivation-you-need/) [Rickey Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickey-russell/) > [People who complain often say things like, 'I'm not being negative, I'm just being realistic.' Really? How is it anymore 'realistic' to focus on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/people-who-complain-often-say-things-like-i-m-not-being-negative-i-m/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [We all have our motivations in life and for me, it's my kids. They push me every day and keep me going. It gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-thompson/we-all-have-our-motivations-in-life-and-for-me-it-s-my-kids-they-push/) [Tristan Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-thompson/) > [Remember that you are always exactly where you need to be, experiencing what you need to experience so that you can learn what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/remember-that-you-are-always-exactly-where-you-need-to-be/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Most people suffer from the self limiting dysfunction "rear-view mirror syndrome" driving through life with their subconscious mind constantly looking in their own self-limiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/most-people-suffer-from-the-self-limiting-dysfunction-rear-view/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [The one thing we can count on is that time will pass; day will become night, and the sunrise will bring with it a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/the-one-thing-we-can-count-on-is-that-time-will-pass-day-will-become/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Problems tend to be put into their proper perspective the moment we get off SELF, and on PURPOSE. By choosing your purpose in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/problems-tend-to-be-put-into-their-proper-perspective-the-moment-we/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) ## More by Hal Elrod > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Forever be happy, never be content, and always know the difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/forever-be-happy-never-be-content-and-always-know-the-difference/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [As a leader, parent, or friend - don't let someone's poor attitude and poor performance hinder your commitment to holding them to higher standards.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/as-a-leader-parent-or-friend-don-t-let-someone-s-poor-attitude-and/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Problems tend to be put into their proper perspective the moment we get off SELF, and on PURPOSE. By choosing your purpose in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/problems-tend-to-be-put-into-their-proper-perspective-the-moment-we/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Who you're becoming is far more important than what you're doing, and yet, it is what you're doing that is determining who you're becoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/who-you-re-becoming-is-far-more-important-than-what-you-re-doing-and/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [The one thing we can count on is that time will pass; day will become night, and the sunrise will bring with it a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/the-one-thing-we-can-count-on-is-that-time-will-pass-day-will-become/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [We must embrace the fact that if we don't commit to thinking and living differently than most people now, we are setting ourselves up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/we-must-embrace-the-fact-that-if-we-don-t-commit-to-thinking-and/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [There is too much life to be lived for you to hit the snooze button. In fact, I believe it is 'seize the day',…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/there-is-too-much-life-to-be-lived-for-you-to-hit-the-snooze-button/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Experience G.R.A.T.I.T.U.D.E. at a deeper level... Give it... Receive it... Affirm it... Think it... Inspire it in others... Talk about it... Understand it... Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/experience-g-r-a-t-i-t-u-d-e-at-a-deeper-level-give-it-receive-it/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [When in doubt, always choose love & gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/when-in-doubt-always-choose-love-gratitude/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Unfortunately the ppl who would do the most good w/ a large sum of $ are often the same ppl who have the biggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/unfortunately-the-ppl-who-would-do-the-most-good-w-a-large-sum-of-are/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [You must establish and maintain the beliefs that you are... capable, committed and destined to achieve your goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/you-must-establish-and-maintain-the-beliefs-that-you-are-capable/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Each morning when you wake, and everyday for the rest of your life... Expect the best of yourself, and accept the rest from yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/each-morning-when-you-wake-and-everyday-for-the-rest-of-your-life/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [“Remember this truth: now matters more than any other time in your life, because it’s what you are doing today that is determining who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/remember-this-truth-now-matters-more-than-any-other-time-in-your-life/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [“Never forget that who you are becoming is the single most important determining factor in your quality of life, now and for your future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/never-forget-that-who-you-are-becoming-is-the-single-most-important/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) [Explore all 181 Hal Elrod quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. 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I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. 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