--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A realist believes that what is done or…" description: "\"“A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run.”\" — John C. Maxwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efc/john-c-maxwell-113_long-run_a-realist-believes-that-what-is-done-or_2123892.jpg" --- # A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the… ![“A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efc/john-c-maxwell-113_long-run_a-realist-believes-that-what-is-done-or_2123892.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efc/john-c-maxwell-113_long-run_a-realist-believes-that-what-is-done-or_2123892.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efc/john-c-maxwell-113_long-run_a-realist-believes-that-what-is-done-or_2123892.jpg) > ““A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run.”” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Short‑term actions shape long‑term outcomes; decisions made now set the trajectory for future results. **In simple terms:** Your daily choices affect your future. Key Takeaway Focus on intentional actions now. Themes leadership decision‑making future planning Mood determined reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - project management - personal goal setting - organizational strategy - career development Key Concepts systems thinking consequences time horizon Questions to Reflect On - What small habit could improve your future? - How do you balance immediate pressures with long‑term goals? A Different Perspective Neglecting short‑term details can derail long‑term vision. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believes/) [Believes Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believes-left-4346929/) [Long run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-run/) [Realist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realist/) [Realist Believes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realist-believes-1550263/) [Short Run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-run-2064874/) ## Related quotes > [“Some people are optimists. Some people are pessimists. I'm just a realist who believes that some things are worth fighting for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/some-people-are-optimists-some-people-are-pessimists-i-m-just-a/) [C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/) > [Faith does not, in the realist, spring from the miracle but the miracle from faith. If the realist once believes, then he is bound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/faith-does-not-in-the-realist-spring-from-the-miracle-but-the-miracle/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [An idealist believes the short run doesn't count. A cynic believes the long run doesn't matter. A realist believes that what is done or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/an-idealist-believes-the-short-run-doesn-t-count-a-cynic-believes-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [In the short run, the market is a voting machine, but in the long run it is a weighing machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/in-the-short-run-the-market-is-a-voting-machine-but-in-the-long-run/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [The Labour party is a lost cause for anybody who is moderate and sensible and believes in that left-of-centre view of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-soubry/the-labour-party-is-a-lost-cause-for-anybody-who-is-moderate-and/) [Anna Soubry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-soubry/) > [“It is not miracles that dispose realists to belief. The genuine realist, if he is an unbeliever, will always find strength and ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/it-is-not-miracles-that-dispose-realists-to-belief-the-genuine/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [Words and ideas work in the short run to get you through school and to impress educators and employers. But they do not work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/words-and-ideas-work-in-the-short-run-to-get-you-through-school-and/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [You feel better in the short run when you have a tub of ice cream, but in the long run, you don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-vieira/you-feel-better-in-the-short-run-when-you-have-a-tub-of-ice-cream-but/) [Meredith Vieira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-vieira/) > [I had a short run as the presenter of 'Cash in the Attic'. 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By its exactitudes of measurements it invites the attention of perfectionists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heywood-hale-broun/golf-is-not-on-the-whole-a-game-for-realists-by-its-exactitudes-of/) [Heywood Hale Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heywood-hale-broun/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Believes quotes > [A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-erhard/a-compromise-is-the-art-of-dividing-a-cake-in-such-a-way-that/) [Ludwig Erhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-erhard/) > [Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/only-he-who-believes-is-obedient-and-only-he-who-is-obedient-believes/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [If she gives you her heart she believes you are all she needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-jush/if-she-gives-you-her-heart-she-believes-you-are-all-she-needs/) [El Jush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-jush/) > [“He is a missionary and believes in God, intensely I mean, but it takes all kinds to make a world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-paton/he-is-a-missionary-and-believes-in-god-intensely-i-mean-but-it-takes/) [Alan Paton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-paton/) > [I see myself as a man who is searching for meaning in life. This is rather different from being a staunch believer in something.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aharon-appelfeld/i-see-myself-as-a-man-who-is-searching-for-meaning-in-life-this-is/) [Aharon Appelfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aharon-appelfeld/) > [I don't think she doesn't believe she can die. I think, just like you always did, she believes there are things worth dying for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-don-t-think-she-doesn-t-believe-she-can-die-i-think-just-like-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [A frnd iz d one who believes in u even at that time when u believe in urself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-frnd-iz-d-one-who-believes-in-u-even-at-that-time-when-u-believe-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you design a building, you start from a general philosophy, and you come down, and you start from detail and come up. Only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renzo-piano/when-you-design-a-building-you-start-from-a-general-philosophy-and/) [Renzo Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renzo-piano/) > [I believe in myself like a five-year-old believes in himself. They say look at me, look at me! Then they do a flip in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/i-believe-in-myself-like-a-five-year-old-believes-in-himself-they-say/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [“By night an atheist half believes in God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/by-night-an-atheist-half-believes-in-god/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [President Clinton not only benefits by gay and lesbian votes, but he benefits by showing the nation that he is a strong leader who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mixner/president-clinton-not-only-benefits-by-gay-and-lesbian-votes-but-he/) [David Mixner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mixner/) > [Cynicism, I contend, is the wailing of someone who believes that things are, or should be, or could be, much, much better than they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/cynicism-i-contend-is-the-wailing-of-someone-who-believes-that-things/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [“Everyone believes very easily whatever he fears or desires.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/everyone-believes-very-easily-whatever-he-fears-or-desires/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [“The God I believe in believes in me and won’t silence my heart or others based on a paycheck at the end of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-alder/the-god-i-believe-in-believes-in-me-and-won-t-silence-my-heart-or/) [Shannon Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-alder/) > [It's hard to come across genuine people now a days and no one believes in the truth anymore either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-hard-to-come-across-genuine-people-now-a-days-and-no-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 736 Believes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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