--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you face discouragement, you can do…" description: "\"When you face discouragement, you can do one of two things, and the one you choose will color your perspective. You can look at others to place the bla..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d02/john-c-maxwell-113_blame_when-you-face-discouragement-you-can-do_2693006.jpg" --- # When you face discouragement, you can do one of two… ![“When you face discouragement, you can do one of two things, and the one you choose will color your perspective. You can look at others to place the blame, or you can look at yourself to discover your opportunities. The choice is yours.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d02/john-c-maxwell-113_blame_when-you-face-discouragement-you-can-do_2693006.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d02/john-c-maxwell-113_blame_when-you-face-discouragement-you-can-do_2693006.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d02/john-c-maxwell-113_blame_when-you-face-discouragement-you-can-do_2693006.jpg) > “When you face discouragement, you can do one of two things, and the one you choose will color your perspective. You can look at others to place the blame, or you can look at yourself to discover your opportunities. The choice is yours.” [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. When discouraged, you can blame others or self‑reflect to find growth; your choice shapes your outlook. **In simple terms:** Choose self‑reflection over blame. Key Takeaway Own your response. Themes resilience mindset personal growth Mood motivational hopeful Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - career setbacks - creative blocks - health challenges Key Concepts self‑awareness accountability Questions to Reflect On - What opportunities arise from your setbacks? - How can you balance blame and self‑growth? A Different Perspective Self‑reflection can be painful and may not yield immediate solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color/) [Discouragement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouragement/) [Encouragement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encouragement/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective/) [You choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you-choose/) ## Related quotes > [I know that in everybody's life must come days of depression and discouragement when all things in life seem to lose savour. 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We should all look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/when-you-look-at-the-moon-you-think-i-m-really-small-what-are-my/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [That's the great thing about songwriting: You have that time to have perspective and look back and think about all the things you'd want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gin-wigmore/that-s-the-great-thing-about-songwriting-you-have-that-time-to-have/) [Gin Wigmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gin-wigmore/) > [“Its all about perspective, that is how you look at things. Your own thoughts and outlook defines whether an experience, event, situation whatever is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-payton/its-all-about-perspective-that-is-how-you-look-at-things-your-own/) [Stella Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-payton/) > [“The sun is a big red ball - glowing or glaring; it depends upon your perspective how you look at it!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avijeet-das/the-sun-is-a-big-red-ball-glowing-or-glaring-it-depends-upon-your/) [Avijeet Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avijeet-das/) > [“Perspective, we can only get it when we look beyond this life and realize we’re not alone”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-albright/perspective-we-can-only-get-it-when-we-look-beyond-this-life-and/) Kevin Albright > [Life is about perspective and how you look at something... ultimately, you have to zoom out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-wolfe-herd/life-is-about-perspective-and-how-you-look-at-something-ultimately/) [Whitney Wolfe Herd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-wolfe-herd/) > [I usually read a script from an audience perspective first, and then look more closely at the character only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colm-meaney/i-usually-read-a-script-from-an-audience-perspective-first-and-then/) [Colm Meaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colm-meaney/) > [Every major difficulty you face in life is a fork in the road. You choose which track you will head down, toward breakdown or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/every-major-difficulty-you-face-in-life-is-a-fork-in-the-road-you/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You've got to look at yourself as what I call a lifer. You're going to be out there playing music your whole life, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perry-farrell/you-ve-got-to-look-at-yourself-as-what-i-call-a-lifer-you-re-going-to/) [Perry Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perry-farrell/) > [You don't get better if you win all the time. You look at yourself more when you lose,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-lin/you-don-t-get-better-if-you-win-all-the-time-you-look-at-yourself/) [Jeremy Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-lin/) > [Learn much of the Lord Jesus. For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-murray/learn-much-of-the-lord-jesus-for-every-look-at-yourself-take-ten/) [Robert E. Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-murray/) > [As I've moved along - not only my life, but my career and things like that - you look at yourself and start going,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-lee/as-i-ve-moved-along-not-only-my-life-but-my-career-and-things-like/) [Amos Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-lee/) > [When you look at yourself and feel dissatisfaction about any part of you, you will continue to attract feelings of dissatisfaction, because the law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/when-you-look-at-yourself-and-feel-dissatisfaction-about-any-part-of/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) ## 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. 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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 Blame quotes > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [Me mum used to always have the radio on - even now she has it on in every room. Me girlfriend sort of blames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/me-mum-used-to-always-have-the-radio-on-even-now-she-has-it-on-in/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-the-great/i-like-to-praise-and-reward-loudly-to-blame-quietly/) [Catherine the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-the-great/) > [Some of the things that I said I hated to say, but blame yourself mother fucker you made it this way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jedi-mind-tricks/some-of-the-things-that-i-said-i-hated-to-say-but-blame-yourself/) [Jedi Mind Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jedi-mind-tricks/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“In places where government priorities and market imperatives create a world so capricious that to help a neighbor is to risk your ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-boo/in-places-where-government-priorities-and-market-imperatives-create-a/) [Katherine Boo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-boo/) > [“Stop Blaming Others For Your Own Actions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-g-roldan/stop-blaming-others-for-your-own-actions/) [Alexis G. Roldan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-g-roldan/) > [We know from this book entitled... What is it? Surrendered? Succumbed? I can never remember the title perform. And we learn from this book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-know-from-this-book-entitled-what-is-it-surrendered-succumbed-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't blame anyone .. I did this to myself .. It's my fault .. Everything is my FAULT ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nurnizz95/i-don-t-blame-anyone-i-did-this-to-myself-it-s-my-fault-everything-is/) Nurnizz95 > [“They would congratulate themselves every morning on keeping their integrity, and blame themselves each night for that missed opportunity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/they-would-congratulate-themselves-every-morning-on-keeping-their/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [I try to live my life where I end up at a point where I have no regrets. So I try to choose the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-aronofsky/i-try-to-live-my-life-where-i-end-up-at-a-point-where-i-have-no/) [Darren Aronofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-aronofsky/) > [How come you don't feel that magic in the air? I guess I knew you'll never be there. I guess I knew you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-come-you-don-t-feel-that-magic-in-the-air-i-guess-i-knew-you-ll/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am down mentally. I can't understand how it happened and who is to blame? 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If you want to blame us for making Donald Trump president because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-tur/listen-the-guy-was-not-created-by-coverage-from-msnbc-and-cnn-if-you/) [Katy Tur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-tur/) Browse all 3,779 Blame quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you face discouragement, you can do one of two things, and the one you choose will color your perspective. You can look at others to place the blame, or you can look at yourself to discover your opportunities. The choice is yours.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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