--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not what happens to us that makes…" description: "\"It's not what happens to us that makes the difference in our lives. What makes the difference is our attitude towards what happens. The idea of luck is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/ken-robinson-2219_attitude_it-s-not-what-happens-to-us-that-makes-t_704824.png" --- # It's not what happens to us that makes the difference in… ![“It's not what happens to us that makes the difference in our lives. What makes the difference is our attitude towards what happens. The idea of luck is a powerful way of illustrating the importance of our basic attitudes in affecting whether or not we find our Element.” quote by Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/ken-robinson-2219_attitude_it-s-not-what-happens-to-us-that-makes-t_704824.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/ken-robinson-2219_attitude_it-s-not-what-happens-to-us-that-makes-t_704824.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/ken-robinson-2219_attitude_it-s-not-what-happens-to-us-that-makes-t_704824.png) > “It's not what happens to us that makes the difference in our lives. What makes the difference is our attitude towards what happens. The idea of luck is a powerful way of illustrating the importance of our basic attitudes in affecting whether or not we find our Element.” [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our attitudes, not events, shape our lives; luck illustrates how mindset influences outcomes. **In simple terms:** Mindset determines outcomes more than events. Key Takeaway Cultivate a positive, proactive attitude. Themes mindset luck attitude Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical self-help When to use this quote - career choices - education - personal setbacks - goal setting Key Concepts psychology philosophy self-efficacy Questions to Reflect On - How can you shift your attitude toward challenges? - What role does luck really play? A Different Perspective Attitude alone may not overcome systemic barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luck/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) ## Related quotes > [“You don't need luck. You are powerful, clever, and fearless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/you-don-t-need-luck-you-are-powerful-clever-and-fearless/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-cannot-control-what-happens-to-you-but-you-can-control-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Start your day with good intentions and set yourself up for a good attitude. It's not what happens to you that matters but how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blanchard/start-your-day-with-good-intentions-and-set-yourself-up-for-a-good/) [Ken Blanchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blanchard/) > [The only way to control what happens to you is to control your attitude towards what happens to you to mastering change rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishchal-ningleku/the-only-way-to-control-what-happens-to-you-is-to-control-your/) [Nishchal Ningleku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishchal-ningleku/) > [Our attitude should be: Whatever happens I will remain strong, courageous and happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/our-attitude-should-be-whatever-happens-i-will-remain-strong/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [We cannot choose the things that will happen to us. But we can choose the attitude we will take toward anything that happens. Success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-armand-montapert/we-cannot-choose-the-things-that-will-happen-to-us-but-we-can-choose/) [Alfred Armand Montapert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-armand-montapert/) > [“When we find the crossing point between our attitude and what happens in our life, then we change ordinary life into a miraculous adventure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivinela-samuilova/when-we-find-the-crossing-point-between-our-attitude-and-what-happens/) Ivinela Samuilova > [You cannot control all of what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward all of what happens to you...You can choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/you-cannot-control-all-of-what-happens-to-you-but-you-can-control/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [I was a magazine illustrator for many years before I became an actor, and I used to think, 'Oh, God, all those wasted years!'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-emerson/i-was-a-magazine-illustrator-for-many-years-before-i-became-an-actor/) [Michael Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-emerson/) > [It's pretty damning. That's Hillary Clinton juxtaposed against the FBI Director Comey yesterday, clearly illustrating she lied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/it-s-pretty-damning-that-s-hillary-clinton-juxtaposed-against-the-fbi/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [However, to modify a habit, you must decide to change it. You must consiously accept the hard work of identifying the cues and rewards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/however-to-modify-a-habit-you-must-decide-to-change-it-you-must/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [The opportunity should not be lost, which is afforded by the occasion, for illustrating and enforcing the thought that the universe, its creation, its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-s-draper/the-opportunity-should-not-be-lost-which-is-afforded-by-the-occasion/) Andrew S. Draper > [Bloggers and other flavors of lone wolf are publishing heart-wrenching photo-essays from the front line of the recovery effort. Newspapers and TV networks? They're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-bray/bloggers-and-other-flavors-of-lone-wolf-are-publishing-heart/) [Tim Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-bray/) > [One of the concepts I was having trouble illustrating was the concept that administrative systems create narrow categories of gender and force people into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-spade/one-of-the-concepts-i-was-having-trouble-illustrating-was-the-concept/) [Dean Spade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-spade/) > [There's a tradition of reenactment in documentary which is about sort of illustrating what the past might have been like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-oppenheimer/there-s-a-tradition-of-reenactment-in-documentary-which-is-about-sort/) [Joshua Oppenheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-oppenheimer/) ## More by Ken Robinson > [“Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/shakespeare-s-hamlet-there-is-nothing-either-good-or-bad-but-thinking/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [“As humanity becomes more numerous and interwoven, living respectfully with diversity is not just an ethical choice, it is a practical imperative. There”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/as-humanity-becomes-more-numerous-and-interwoven-living-respectfully/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [In a world where lifelong employment in the same job is a thing of the past, creativity is not a luxury. It is essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/in-a-world-where-lifelong-employment-in-the-same-job-is-a-thing-of/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [“For most of us the problem isn’t that we aim too high and fail - it’s just the opposite - we aim too low…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/for-most-of-us-the-problem-isn-t-that-we-aim-too-high-and-fail-it-s/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [Very often, organizations are inflexible because there is too little communication between functions; they are too segregated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/very-often-organizations-are-inflexible-because-there-is-too-little/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [Every education system on Earth has the same hierarchy of subjects: at the top are mathematics and languages, then the humanities, and the bottom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/every-education-system-on-earth-has-the-same-hierarchy-of-subjects-at/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [“We are all born with extraordinary powers of imagination, intelligence, feeling, intuition, spirituality, and of physical and sensory awareness. (p.9)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/we-are-all-born-with-extraordinary-powers-of-imagination-intelligence/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [You create your life, and you can recreate it, too. In times of economic downturn and uncertainty, it's more important than ever to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/you-create-your-life-and-you-can-recreate-it-too-in-times-of-economic/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [“I asked a professor of nanotechnology what they use to measure the unthinkable small distances of nanospace? He said it was the nanometre. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/i-asked-a-professor-of-nanotechnology-what-they-use-to-measure-the/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [We need to eliminate the existing hierarchy of subjects. Elevating some disciplines over others only reinforces outmoded assumptions of industrialism and offends the principle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/we-need-to-eliminate-the-existing-hierarchy-of-subjects-elevating/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [Too many people never connect with their true talents and therefore don't know what they are capable of achieving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/too-many-people-never-connect-with-their-true-talents-and-therefore/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [You can't just give someone a creativity injection. You have to create an environment for curiosity and a way to encourage people and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/you-can-t-just-give-someone-a-creativity-injection-you-have-to-create/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [The fact is that given the challenges we face, education doesn't need to be reformed -- it needs to be transformed. The key to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/the-fact-is-that-given-the-challenges-we-face-education-doesn-t-need/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [Private imaginings may have no outcomes in the world at all. Creativity does. Being creative involves doing something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/private-imaginings-may-have-no-outcomes-in-the-world-at-all/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [“Public schools were not only created in the interests of industrialism—they were created in the image of industrialism. In many ways, they reflect the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/public-schools-were-not-only-created-in-the-interests-of/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) [Explore all 170 Ken Robinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's not what happens to us that makes the difference in our lives. What makes the difference is our attitude towards what happens. 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