--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If your desire is to be successful or to…" description: "\"If your desire is to be successful or to make a positive impact on your world, you need to become a person of influence.\" — John C. Maxwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/john-c-maxwell-113_being-successful_if-your-desire-is-to-be-successful-or-to_309130.jpg" --- # If your desire is to be successful or to make a positive… ![“If your desire is to be successful or to make a positive impact on your world, you need to become a person of influence.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/john-c-maxwell-113_being-successful_if-your-desire-is-to-be-successful-or-to_309130.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/john-c-maxwell-113_being-successful_if-your-desire-is-to-be-successful-or-to_309130.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d42/john-c-maxwell-113_being-successful_if-your-desire-is-to-be-successful-or-to_309130.jpg) > “If your desire is to be successful or to make a positive impact on your world, you need to become a person of influence.” [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. Success and impact require developing influence, not just personal ambition. **In simple terms:** Influence is key to achievement. Key Takeaway Cultivate influence to achieve goals. Themes leadership influence success Mood motivational strategic Type leadership self‑help When to use this quote - career advancement - community projects - entrepreneurship Key Concepts personal growth networking vision Questions to Reflect On - How can you use influence responsibly? - What steps build genuine influence? A Different Perspective Influence alone may not guarantee ethical outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-successful/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-successful-1334235/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Make Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-positive-322461/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Person Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-influence-2555468/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Positive impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-impact/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-need-256323/) ## Related quotes > [If you want to make a positive impact, no matter how far-reaching, start at home. Treat your family members like treasures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-a-positive-impact-no-matter-how-far-reaching/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I had a very strong desire to be successful at something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-had-a-very-strong-desire-to-be-successful-at-something/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [I had that hunger, that desire, to be successful and I wasn’t going to let anything stand in my way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-rice/i-had-that-hunger-that-desire-to-be-successful-and-i-wasn-t-going-to/) [Jerry Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-rice/) > [What inspires me is the desire to be on. The desire to be successful. The desire to reach people through my music and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-eazy/what-inspires-me-is-the-desire-to-be-on-the-desire-to-be-successful/) [G-Eazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-eazy/) > [“All the elements of greater emotional awareness can weave together to ensure you make a more positive impact.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/all-the-elements-of-greater-emotional-awareness-can-weave-together-to/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [In life, you get what you put in. When you make a positive impact in someone else's life, you also make a positive impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-life-you-get-what-you-put-in-when-you-make-a-positive-impact-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Each of us shouldn't look into our own interests, but also to the interests of others, especially when we make a positive impact in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/each-of-us-shouldn-t-look-into-our-own-interests-but-also-to-the/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [If being complicit is wanting to be a force for good and to make a positive impact, then I'm complicit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivanka-trump/if-being-complicit-is-wanting-to-be-a-force-for-good-and-to-make-a/) [Ivanka Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivanka-trump/) > [There are a lot of ways to make a positive impact on the community without necessarily being a politician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/there-are-a-lot-of-ways-to-make-a-positive-impact-on-the-community/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [Like many young people, I believe I have potential to make a positive impact in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-russell/like-many-young-people-i-believe-i-have-potential-to-make-a-positive/) [Cameron Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-russell/) > [If you want to help others and become a person of influence, keep smiling, sharing, giving, and turning the other cheek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-help-others-and-become-a-person-of-influence-keep/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You have the burning desire as a successful sportsperson and that needs to go somewhere when you finish. It is a problem so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-lewis/you-have-the-burning-desire-as-a-successful-sportsperson-and-that/) [Denise Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-lewis/) > [Now more than ever I am aware that a person's significant birthdays can either mark the passage of time, or they can mark changes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/now-more-than-ever-i-am-aware-that-a-person-s-significant-birthdays/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders are less interested in their position and more interested in their positive impact on others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-are-less-interested-in-their-position-and-more-interested-in/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [It is hard to feel bad about yourself when you are doing something good for someone else. There are a lot of ways to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/it-is-hard-to-feel-bad-about-yourself-when-you-are-doing-something/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## 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 Being successful quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [The vast majority of organizations today have more than enough intelligence, experience and knowledge to be successful. What they lack is organizational health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-vast-majority-of-organizations-today-have-more-than-enough/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [To be successful, one must take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-stargell/to-be-successful-one-must-take-chances/) [Willie Stargell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-stargell/) > [Business is always a struggle. There are always obstacles and competitors. There is never an open road, except the wide road that leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kirubi/business-is-always-a-struggle-there-are-always-obstacles-and/) [Chris Kirubi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kirubi/) > [You cannot be successful without passion. If you don't love what you're doing, if you don't have passion for it - forget it. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/you-cannot-be-successful-without-passion-if-you-don-t-love-what-you/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [You can't not be a little different from others and be successful for three decades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/you-can-t-not-be-a-little-different-from-others-and-be-successful-for/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) > [Everyone has a breaking point, turning point, stress point, the game is permeated with it. The fans don't see it because we make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/everyone-has-a-breaking-point-turning-point-stress-point-the-game-is/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [If you increase the number of rockets you build and you buy, then it's the scale of the economy, the price is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/if-you-increase-the-number-of-rockets-you-build-and-you-buy-then-it-s/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [Hockey is a unique sport in the sense that you need each and every guy helping each other and pulling in the same direction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gretzky/hockey-is-a-unique-sport-in-the-sense-that-you-need-each-and-every/) [Wayne Gretzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gretzky/) > [There has always been a display of wealth and always will be, until the depression comes, which it always does. And let me tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/there-has-always-been-a-display-of-wealth-and-always-will-be-until/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I think there is a big and significant difference between being a leader and being a manager-leaders lead from the heart. You have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-jung/i-think-there-is-a-big-and-significant-difference-between-being-a/) [Andrea Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-jung/) > [There's nobody that wants the president to be successful more than I.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/there-s-nobody-that-wants-the-president-to-be-successful-more-than-i/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [Don't worry about your individual numbers. Worry about the team. 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