--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Make a decision! Failure to act is often…" description: "\"Make a decision! Failure to act is often the biggest failure of all.\" — John Wooden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/john-wooden-420_decision_make-a-decision-failure-to-act-is-often_211176.png" --- # Make a decision! Failure to act is often the biggest… ![“Make a decision! Failure to act is often the biggest failure of all.” quote by John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/john-wooden-420_decision_make-a-decision-failure-to-act-is-often_211176.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/john-wooden-420_decision_make-a-decision-failure-to-act-is-often_211176.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/john-wooden-420_decision_make-a-decision-failure-to-act-is-often_211176.png) > “Make a decision! Failure to act is often the biggest failure of all.” [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Inaction leads to missed opportunities; the greatest failure is not trying. **In simple terms:** Not acting is the biggest failure. Key Takeaway Act decisively. Themes decision action failure opportunity growth Mood determined urgent Type motivational practical When to use this quote - sports coaching - business leadership - personal goals - team projects Key Concepts psychology motivation risk management Questions to Reflect On - What decision are you avoiding? - How could acting now change your outcome? A Different Perspective Failure to act can cause regret and lost learning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Failure to act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure-to-act/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Positivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positivity/) ## Related quotes > [Failure to act is often the biggest failure of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/failure-to-act-is-often-the-biggest-failure-of-all/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Don't be afraid to fail. The greatest failure of all is failure to act when action is needed. Use the information that you've acquired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/don-t-be-afraid-to-fail-the-greatest-failure-of-all-is-failure-to-act/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [The greatest failure of all is the failure to act when action is needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/the-greatest-failure-of-all-is-the-failure-to-act-when-action-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [The futility of action does not absolve one from the failure to act. -](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janette-turner-hospital/the-futility-of-action-does-not-absolve-one-from-the-failure-to-act/) [Janette Turner Hospital](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janette-turner-hospital/) > [The only lasting failure is the failure to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-lasting-failure-is-the-failure-to-act/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Failure to act only leaves you shortchanging yourself. We're all capable of greater things. All it takes is the power to believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/failure-to-act-only-leaves-you-shortchanging-yourself-we-re-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is some risk involved in action, there always is. But there is far more risk in failure to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/there-is-some-risk-involved-in-action-there-always-is-but-there-is/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Every time we get a piece of economic news, we'll know it could have been better if not for Congress failure to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/every-time-we-get-a-piece-of-economic-news-we-ll-know-it-could-have/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [So many financial dreams are thwarted by the failure to act upon good intentions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/so-many-financial-dreams-are-thwarted-by-the-failure-to-act-upon-good/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [A failure to act is a terrible, stunning legacy for any leader. But far worse when it is the president of the United States.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mckinnon/a-failure-to-act-is-a-terrible-stunning-legacy-for-any-leader-but-far/) [Mark McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mckinnon/) > [“Don’t be afraid to fail. The greatest failure of all is not to act when action is needed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/don-t-be-afraid-to-fail-the-greatest-failure-of-all-is-not-to-act/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I don't believe in looking back. If you make a decision that you think is the proper one at a time, then that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-don-t-believe-in-looking-back-if-you-make-a-decision-that-you-think/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [The biggest failure you can have in life is making the mistake of never trying at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-biggest-failure-you-can-have-in-life-is-making-the-mistake-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Among all the tests President Obama faced in his first term, his biggest failure was climate change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-goodell/among-all-the-tests-president-obama-faced-in-his-first-term-his/) [Jeff Goodell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-goodell/) > [ I guess my biggest failure was not getting reelected. \[The loss taught me\] not to ever let American hostages be held for 444 days… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-guess-my-biggest-failure-was-not-getting-reelected-the-loss-taught/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) ## More by John Wooden > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it. -John wooden”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-so-important-who-starts-the-game-but-who-finishes-it-john/) [John wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“I remain convinced to this day that compassion like that—sincerely caring for your players and maintaining an active interest in their lives, concerns, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-remain-convinced-to-this-day-that-compassion-like-that-sincerely/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I'm not going to say I was opposed to the Vietnam War. I'm going to say I'm opposed to war. But I'm also opposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-m-not-going-to-say-i-was-opposed-to-the-vietnam-war-i-m-going-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/being-a-role-model-is-the-most-powerful-form-of-educating-too-often/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Each of us has a huge capacity to learn and to achieve. Being ever alert makes the task of becoming all we are capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/each-of-us-has-a-huge-capacity-to-learn-and-to-achieve-being-ever/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Stay the course. When thwarted try again; harder; smarter. Persevere relentlessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/stay-the-course-when-thwarted-try-again-harder-smarter-persevere/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Love is the most powerful four letter word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/love-is-the-most-powerful-four-letter-word/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [It takes 10 hands to score a basket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-takes-10-hands-to-score-a-basket/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [The best competition I have is against myself to become better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/the-best-competition-i-have-is-against-myself-to-become-better/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, the habits you are developing now will be with you for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/whether-you-know-it-or-not-whether-you-like-it-or-not-the-habits-you/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Intensity makes you stronger. Emotionalism makes you weaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/intensity-makes-you-stronger-emotionalism-makes-you-weaker/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Reputation is what others perceive you as being, and their opinion may be right or wrong. Character, however, is what you really are, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/reputation-is-what-others-perceive-you-as-being-and-their-opinion-may/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) [Explore all 578 John Wooden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## More Decision quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [“How can you make an informed decision about whether to save the world if you never leave your tiny part of it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-david-hutchinson/how-can-you-make-an-informed-decision-about-whether-to-save-the-world/) [Shaun David Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-david-hutchinson/) > [Love is the foundation from which your decisions about your life should be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-the-foundation-from-which-your-decisions-about-your-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Indecision becomes decision with time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/indecision-becomes-decision-with-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you think of people as making decisions actively, every time we think about the cup of coffee, we say, "How much will I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/if-you-think-of-people-as-making-decisions-actively-every-time-we/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [It was a conscious decision on my part to take up fewer films. And if you're not seen that often on screen, nobody calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-lever/it-was-a-conscious-decision-on-my-part-to-take-up-fewer-films-and-if/) [Johnny Lever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-lever/) > [Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/decision-is-a-risk-rooted-in-the-courage-of-being-free/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [I never think of things rationally or intellectually. I swear, every single decision I make is just instinct and my instincts tend to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-blomkamp/i-never-think-of-things-rationally-or-intellectually-i-swear-every/) [Neill Blomkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-blomkamp/) > [“it is either you happen to life or life happens to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sesan-kareem/it-is-either-you-happen-to-life-or-life-happens-to-you/) [Sesan Kareem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sesan-kareem/) > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [In New York, you are constantly faced with this very urgent decision that you have to make, about every twenty minutes...you have to decide,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cross/in-new-york-you-are-constantly-faced-with-this-very-urgent-decision/) [David Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cross/) [Browse all 9,145 Decision quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Make a decision! 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