--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's easy to do something for the first…" description: "\"It's easy to do something for the first time and stop. But once it has been done for the second time, there is no going back, for the person keeps repe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/kevin-symphorien-46742_action_it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first_2087141.jpg" --- # It's easy to do something for the first time and stop. But… ![“It's easy to do something for the first time and stop. But once it has been done for the second time, there is no going back, for the person keeps repeating it over and over again.” quote by Kevin Symphorien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/kevin-symphorien-46742_action_it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first_2087141.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/kevin-symphorien-46742_action_it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first_2087141.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/kevin-symphorien-46742_action_it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first_2087141.jpg) > “It's easy to do something for the first time and stop. But once it has been done for the second time, there is no going back, for the person keeps repeating it over and over again.” [Kevin Symphorien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Repeating an action reinforces habit, making it hard to stop after the second occurrence. **In simple terms:** Repeating something makes it hard to quit. Key Takeaway Be aware of habit formation early. Themes psychology habit behavior Mood reflective cautious Type motivational psychological When to use this quote - learning a skill - addiction recovery - daily routines - training programs Key Concepts reinforcement addiction routine Questions to Reflect On - What habits have you reinforced unintentionally? - How can you break a harmful cycle? A Different Perspective Habits can become detrimental if not monitored. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“These preachers and priests are no more religious and wise than the parrot that keeps repeating the same words over and over again, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/these-preachers-and-priests-are-no-more-religious-and-wise-than-the/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [Nana glanced at Ben. "I think your mom has catepillars in her ears. She keeps repeating everything I say like she can't hear me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/nana-glanced-at-ben-i-think-your-mom-has-catepillars-in-her-ears-she/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“I think your mom has caterpillars in her ears. She keeps repeating everything I say like she can't hear me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/i-think-your-mom-has-caterpillars-in-her-ears-she-keeps-repeating/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [If you stop for one second and do something, everyone is happy. You pay it forward and it comes back to you twelve-fold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/if-you-stop-for-one-second-and-do-something-everyone-is-happy-you-pay/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [Never doubt with your first step. If you did, trust me. You would stop at the second step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldyna-threesya/never-doubt-with-your-first-step-if-you-did-trust-me-you-would-stop/) [Aldyna Threesya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldyna-threesya/) > [When would I stop being second choice? Would I ever be number one to the person I cared most about in the world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-meredith-walters/when-would-i-stop-being-second-choice-would-i-ever-be-number-one-to/) [A. Meredith Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-meredith-walters/) > [I understand we're on our way to being a Third World country. Could we just stop at 'Second World' before we get there?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/i-understand-we-re-on-our-way-to-being-a-third-world-country-could-we/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [I am a person who keeps doing something or the other, pursuing one interest after another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaheer-sheikh/i-am-a-person-who-keeps-doing-something-or-the-other-pursuing-one/) [Shaheer Sheikh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaheer-sheikh/) > [A person who keeps trying is the person who keeps achieving goals in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/a-person-who-keeps-trying-is-the-person-who-keeps-achieving-goals-in/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A person who keeps always his profile down-to-earth doesn't have to worry with those who surround or who to go around for he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/a-person-who-keeps-always-his-profile-down-to-earth-doesn-t-have-to/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [The controlled person is a powerful person. He who always keeps his head will get ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-controlled-person-is-a-powerful-person-he-who-always-keeps-his/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [A GOOD PERSON IS THAT ONE WHO KEEPS TRUE HIMSELF](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daudi-bilingi/a-good-person-is-that-one-who-keeps-true-himself/) [Daudi Bilingi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daudi-bilingi/) > [No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-rayburn/no-one-has-a-finer-command-of-language-than-the-person-who-keeps-his/) [Sam Rayburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-rayburn/) > [Faith keeps the person who keeps the faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/faith-keeps-the-person-who-keeps-the-faith/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [What is important in self-discovery is the person who keeps going, who has a smile, who is kind to others, who works hard at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/what-is-important-in-self-discovery-is-the-person-who-keeps-going-who/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## More by Kevin Symphorien > [True love never fails, for it conquers all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/true-love-never-fails-for-it-conquers-all/) [Kevin Symphorien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/) > [Everyone is replacedble in contrary to what people think when it comes to their feelings. as long as we're human beings we're gonna suffer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/everyone-is-replacedble-in-contrary-to-what-people-think-when-it/) [Kevin Symphorien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/) > [Swearing is like making a promiss which one has to keep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/swearing-is-like-making-a-promiss-which-one-has-to-keep/) [Kevin Symphorien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/) > [Love is jalousy but true love is trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/love-is-jalousy-but-true-love-is-trust/) [Kevin Symphorien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/) > [Loving someone is not a mistake, but loving someone with expectations is one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/loving-someone-is-not-a-mistake-but-loving-someone-with-expectations/) [Kevin Symphorien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/) > [Normally speaking love is not to have a reason of being given! But if you want to have one,better have one thats based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/normally-speaking-love-is-not-to-have-a-reason-of-being-given-but-if/) [Kevin Symphorien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/) > [You never realise how much you love someone until they are gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/you-never-realise-how-much-you-love-someone-until-they-are-gone/) [Kevin Symphorien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/) [Explore all 8 Kevin Symphorien quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/) ## More Action 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/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's easy to do something for the first time and stop. But once it has been done for the second time, there is no going back, for the person keeps repeating it over and over again.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kevin Symphorien" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first-time-and-stop-but-once-it-has/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first-time-and-stop-but-once-it-has/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/kevin-symphorien-46742_action_it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first_2087141.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/kevin-symphorien-46742_action_it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first_2087141.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/kevin-symphorien-46742_action_it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first_2087141.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's easy to do something for the first time and stop. But once it has been done for the second time, there…” — Kevin Symphorien", "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": "Kevin Symphorien", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-symphorien/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's easy to do something for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first-time-and-stop-but-once-it-has/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-symphorien/it-s-easy-to-do-something-for-the-first-time-and-stop-but-once-it-has/#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 } } ] } ```