--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you believe that you can do…" description: "\"When you believe that you can do something that's when you can do it.\" — Joseph Gordon-Levitt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/joseph-gordon-levitt-1583_believe_when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-somethi_1666036.jpg" --- # When you believe that you can do something that's when you… ![“When you believe that you can do something that's when you can do it.” quote by Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/joseph-gordon-levitt-1583_believe_when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-somethi_1666036.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/joseph-gordon-levitt-1583_believe_when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-somethi_1666036.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/joseph-gordon-levitt-1583_believe_when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-somethi_1666036.jpg) > “When you believe that you can do something that's when you can do it.” [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑belief activates the ability to achieve tasks, turning intention into capability. **In simple terms:** Believing in yourself makes it possible. Key Takeaway Cultivate confidence before acting. Themes self‑belief motivation achievement Mood encouraging optimistic Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - sports performance - entrepreneurial ventures Key Concepts psychology self‑efficacy cognitive science Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to build confidence? - How does belief interact with preparation? A Different Perspective Confidence alone may not overcome skill gaps; effort still required. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Can do something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do-something/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [You can do it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you-can-do-it/) ## Related quotes > [Remember, just because Microsoft can do something, doesn't mean you can. Microsoft makes their own gravity. Normal rules don't apply to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-spolsky/remember-just-because-microsoft-can-do-something-doesn-t-mean-you-can/) [Joel Spolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-spolsky/) > [Every medium has its own kind of freedom. I don't want to just cross from one to the next. I want to enjoy the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takashi-miike/every-medium-has-its-own-kind-of-freedom-i-don-t-want-to-just-cross/) [Takashi Miike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takashi-miike/) > [you can do something. You can, even for one person Don't turn away; help. Because those who suffer, often suffer not because of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/you-can-do-something-you-can-even-for-one-person-don-t-turn-away-help/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [My advice is don't keep asking yourself if you can do something. Just get out there and do it. You can really surprise yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/my-advice-is-don-t-keep-asking-yourself-if-you-can-do-something-just/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [Government can do something for the people only in proportion as it can do something to the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/government-can-do-something-for-the-people-only-in-proportion-as-it/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Try to find if something out there is similar. If it's already being done, now you need to find out if you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-johnson/try-to-find-if-something-out-there-is-similar-if-it-s-already-being/) [Cameron Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-johnson/) > [I have always believed that if you need to take your clothes off to get your man, you've begun to lose the battle. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bipasha-basu/i-have-always-believed-that-if-you-need-to-take-your-clothes-off-to/) [Bipasha Basu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bipasha-basu/) > [There's a notion of art in this country that you have to be nutty or special or "called" in order to be an artist.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dicamillo/there-s-a-notion-of-art-in-this-country-that-you-have-to-be-nutty-or/) [Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dicamillo/) > [Auditioning is a horrible experience because you know you are being absolutely scrutinized and judged. There are days where you can do it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/auditioning-is-a-horrible-experience-because-you-know-you-are-being/) [Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/) > [It's not just in politics that you can be a servant of the people, you can do it in so many other ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corazon-aquino/it-s-not-just-in-politics-that-you-can-be-a-servant-of-the-people-you/) [Corazon Aquino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corazon-aquino/) > [I was very privileged and really blessed with so many material and spiritual gifts that I should give back, ... I should do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corazon-aquino/i-was-very-privileged-and-really-blessed-with-so-many-material-and/) [Corazon Aquino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corazon-aquino/) > [Sometimes, you can feel or see how a movie can... how you can do it. Sometimes it's just like seeing, "Can that work? Will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/sometimes-you-can-feel-or-see-how-a-movie-can-how-you-can-do-it/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [Don't labor forever over the question of how or if you can do it. Studies have shown that the most successful people make decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/don-t-labor-forever-over-the-question-of-how-or-if-you-can-do-it/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [My dream project is a sports film, because I love writing emotional music and a sports film is one of the few places you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cardoni/my-dream-project-is-a-sports-film-because-i-love-writing-emotional/) [Jeff Cardoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cardoni/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) ## More by Joseph Gordon-Levitt > [Let's face it, most pretty girls aren't funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/let-s-face-it-most-pretty-girls-aren-t-funny/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [Most of what Hollywood puts out is crap anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/most-of-what-hollywood-puts-out-is-crap-anyway/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [If you're going to put yourself above everybody else, you might end up alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/if-you-re-going-to-put-yourself-above-everybody-else-you-might-end-up/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [I think, honestly, that the word 'indie' is a false gimmick. 'Independent' used to mean a movie that was financed outside corporate Hollywood, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/i-think-honestly-that-the-word-indie-is-a-false-gimmick-independent/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [I like making little videos and little records. I've always loved video cameras and four-track cassette recorders, still cameras, anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/i-like-making-little-videos-and-little-records-i-ve-always-loved/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [You usually get one or the other, you get someone who knows how to tell a story but they don't necessarily know about light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/you-usually-get-one-or-the-other-you-get-someone-who-knows-how-to/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [That is very different from how it used to be in the 20th century. Media was very one way. There's a small little industry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/that-is-very-different-from-how-it-used-to-be-in-the-20th-century/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [I knew that if I wanted to really maintain control, I would have to keep the budget down. And I did. And I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/i-knew-that-if-i-wanted-to-really-maintain-control-i-would-have-to/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [When I was a teenager I loved acting, but I really just loved it for myself. I didn't like the fact that anyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/when-i-was-a-teenager-i-loved-acting-but-i-really-just-loved-it-for/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [I don't buy into the glory days thing. I think every time has its great things to it. The '60s were such a glorious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/i-don-t-buy-into-the-glory-days-thing-i-think-every-time-has-its/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [I didn't really like doing commercials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/i-didn-t-really-like-doing-commercials/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [I just need some time away to remember why I stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/i-just-need-some-time-away-to-remember-why-i-stay/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [I love Kimberly Peirce. Incredibly intense is a good way of describing her. Brutally honest. Really sharp. She's a director for actors. That's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/i-love-kimberly-peirce-incredibly-intense-is-a-good-way-of-describing/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [I think there is something beautiful in reveling in sadness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/i-think-there-is-something-beautiful-in-reveling-in-sadness/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [That's sort of what I wanted to make fun of a little bit with Don Jon. And I think oftentimes, if you're going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/that-s-sort-of-what-i-wanted-to-make-fun-of-a-little-bit-with-don-jon/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) [Explore all 226 Joseph Gordon-Levitt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you believe that you can do something that's when you can do it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph Gordon-Levitt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-something-that-s-when-you-can-do-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-something-that-s-when-you-can-do-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/joseph-gordon-levitt-1583_believe_when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-somethi_1666036.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/joseph-gordon-levitt-1583_believe_when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-somethi_1666036.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/joseph-gordon-levitt-1583_believe_when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-somethi_1666036.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you believe that you can do something that's when you can do it.” — Joseph Gordon-Levitt", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joseph Gordon-Levitt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you believe that you can...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-something-that-s-when-you-can-do-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/when-you-believe-that-you-can-do-something-that-s-when-you-can-do-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```