--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If there was one formula for our…" description: "\"If there was one formula for our success,it was that we were constantly studying how to make things work,or how to make them work better.\" — Lee Kuan Yew" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/lee-kuan-yew-3939_formulas_if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success_2327776.jpg" --- # If there was one formula for our success,it was that we… ![“If there was one formula for our success,it was that we were constantly studying how to make things work,or how to make them work better.” quote by Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/lee-kuan-yew-3939_formulas_if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success_2327776.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/lee-kuan-yew-3939_formulas_if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success_2327776.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/lee-kuan-yew-3939_formulas_if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success_2327776.jpg) > “If there was one formula for our success,it was that we were constantly studying how to make things work,or how to make them work better.” [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success stems from relentless improvement and learning how to make systems work better. **In simple terms:** Continuous learning and improvement drive success. Key Takeaway Never stop learning and improving. Themes progress learning innovation leadership Mood optimistic determined Type motivational practical When to use this quote - business development - public policy - team management Key Concepts systems thinking continuous improvement strategic planning Questions to Reflect On - How do you foster a learning culture? - What barriers hinder improvement? A Different Perspective Constant change can cause fatigue and resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [The only thing I have learnt over the years is that if you enjoy your work and put in the best efforts, it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahesh-babu/the-only-thing-i-have-learnt-over-the-years-is-that-if-you-enjoy-your/) [Mahesh Babu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahesh-babu/) > [Being your true self is the most effective formula for success there is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/being-your-true-self-is-the-most-effective-formula-for-success-there/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [I have learned that part of the formula for success is to keep quiet about your objective until you get it. Just as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/i-have-learned-that-part-of-the-formula-for-success-is-to-keep-quiet/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [Those who have failed miserably are often the first to see God's formula for success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/those-who-have-failed-miserably-are-often-the-first-to-see-god-s/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [The formula for success is simple: practice and concentration then more practice and more concentration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babe-didrikson-zaharias/the-formula-for-success-is-simple-practice-and-concentration-then/) [Babe Didrikson Zaharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babe-didrikson-zaharias/) > [The formula for success is every guy can make a difference for the entire team in whatever his role is. And to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/the-formula-for-success-is-every-guy-can-make-a-difference-for-the/) [Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/) > [Formula for success: under promise and over deliver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/formula-for-success-under-promise-and-over-deliver/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [The question is not whether the formula for success will work, but rather whether the person will work the formula.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/the-question-is-not-whether-the-formula-for-success-will-work-but/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [Make your work deeper and better than those before you, and eventually someone will notice. 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Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-j-givens/) > [Everyone has complicated lives, but the more you can simplify it and make it work for you, the better it is going to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-hamilton/everyone-has-complicated-lives-but-the-more-you-can-simplify-it-and/) [Lewis Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-hamilton/) > [Sometimes you've got to get knocked down a little bit in order for you to clean up some things and work even more and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-correa/sometimes-you-ve-got-to-get-knocked-down-a-little-bit-in-order-for/) [Carlos Correa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-correa/) > [Things work out better when you're straight up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-jacobs/things-work-out-better-when-you-re-straight-up/) [Kate Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-jacobs/) > [A lot of things work better in a locomotive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/a-lot-of-things-work-better-in-a-locomotive/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Attractive things work better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/attractive-things-work-better/) [Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/) ## More by Lee Kuan Yew > [“You know, the cure for all this talk is really a good dose of incompetent government. You get that alternative and you'll never put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/you-know-the-cure-for-all-this-talk-is-really-a-good-dose-of/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [The Bell curve is a fact of life. The blacks on average score 85 per cent on IQ and it is accurate, nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/the-bell-curve-is-a-fact-of-life-the-blacks-on-average-score-85-per/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [I'm not saying that everything I did was right, but everything I did was for an honourable purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/i-m-not-saying-that-everything-i-did-was-right-but-everything-i-did/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [If, for instance, you put in a Malay officer who's very religious and who has family ties in Malaysia in charge of a machine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/if-for-instance-you-put-in-a-malay-officer-who-s-very-religious-and/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [Supposing Catherine Lim was writing about me and not the prime minister...She would not dare, right? Because my posture, my response has been such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/supposing-catherine-lim-was-writing-about-me-and-not-the-prime/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [You marry a non-graduate, then you are going to worry if your son or daughter is going to make it to the university.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/you-marry-a-non-graduate-then-you-are-going-to-worry-if-your-son-or/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [That was the year the British decided to get out and sell everything. So I immediately held an election. I knew the people will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/that-was-the-year-the-british-decided-to-get-out-and-sell-everything/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [A leader without the vision, to strive to improve things, is no good. Then you will just stay put, you won't progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/a-leader-without-the-vision-to-strive-to-improve-things-is-no-good/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [India is scared of the competition... because Chinese goods will go into India and compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/india-is-scared-of-the-competition-because-chinese-goods-will-go-into/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [I was a product of the times, the war, the occupation, the reoccupation, my 4 years in Britain, admiring but at the same time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/i-was-a-product-of-the-times-the-war-the-occupation-the-reoccupation/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [Three women were brought to the Singapore General Hospital, each in the same condition and needing a blood transfusion. The first, a Southeast Asian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/three-women-were-brought-to-the-singapore-general-hospital-each-in/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [What I fear is complacency. When things always become better, people tend to want more for less work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/what-i-fear-is-complacency-when-things-always-become-better-people/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [I have said this on many a previous occasion: that had the mix in Singapore been different, had it been 75% Indians, 15% Malays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/i-have-said-this-on-many-a-previous-occasion-that-had-the-mix-in/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [I have decided that we shall make and build and never give way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/i-have-decided-that-we-shall-make-and-build-and-never-give-way/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [Nine holes of golf will take you one-and-a-half, two hours. I run in 20 minutes, I feel better off. So the cost benefit made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/nine-holes-of-golf-will-take-you-one-and-a-half-two-hours-i-run-in-20/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) [Explore all 119 Lee Kuan Yew quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) ## More Formulas quotes > [A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period - When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/a-light-exists-in-spring-not-present-on-the-year-at-any-other-period/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [What people tend to forget is the journey that I had getting to Formula One. There were plenty of years where I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-hamilton/what-people-tend-to-forget-is-the-journey-that-i-had-getting-to/) [Lewis Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-hamilton/) > [A bad artist almost always tries to conceal his incompetence by whooping up a new formula.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/a-bad-artist-almost-always-tries-to-conceal-his-incompetence-by/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [It is amazing how may drivers, even at the Formula One Level, think that the brakes are for slowing the car down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/it-is-amazing-how-may-drivers-even-at-the-formula-one-level-think/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-trejo/i-understand-the-formula-that-producers-hire-directors-and-directors/) [Danny Trejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-trejo/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [You ask everybody you know: How long does it usually take to get over it? There are many formulas. One year for every year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/you-ask-everybody-you-know-how-long-does-it-usually-take-to-get-over/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [I think social networks are really working for the drivers, because we're able to talk directly to fans and they get first-hand information. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenson-button/i-think-social-networks-are-really-working-for-the-drivers-because-we/) [Jenson Button](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenson-button/) > [There is no secret formula--only a life committed to a close walk with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dillon-burroughs/there-is-no-secret-formula-only-a-life-committed-to-a-close-walk-with/) [Dillon Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dillon-burroughs/) > [This formula of Love is universal; all the laws of Nature are its servitors. Thus, gravitation, chemical affinity, electrical potential, and the rest -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleister-crowley/this-formula-of-love-is-universal-all-the-laws-of-nature-are-its/) [Aleister Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleister-crowley/) > [The unique essence of being an artist is dying. Eveything looks the same. Now there’s a formula. And it works. - But it takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/the-unique-essence-of-being-an-artist-is-dying-eveything-looks-the/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor. On being reproached that his formula of gravitation was longer and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/if-you-are-out-to-describe-the-truth-leave-elegance-to-the-tailor-on/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The bourgeois thinkers of the eighteenth century thus turned Aristotle's formula on its head: satisfactions which the Greek philosopher had identified with leisure were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/the-bourgeois-thinkers-of-the-eighteenth-century-thus-turned/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [How do you spell peace? P-R-A-Y-E-R! Anything you believe you need is available to you through prayer. We are not talking here about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/how-do-you-spell-peace-p-r-a-y-e-r-anything-you-believe-you-need-is/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Unbelievable how silly this Formula 1 is these days, with this stupid overtakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-vettel/unbelievable-how-silly-this-formula-1-is-these-days-with-this-stupid/) [Sebastian Vettel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-vettel/) Browse all 845 Formulas quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If there was one formula for our success,it was that we were constantly studying how to make things work,or how to make them work better.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lee Kuan Yew" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success-it-was-that-we-were/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Formulas" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success-it-was-that-we-were/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/lee-kuan-yew-3939_formulas_if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success_2327776.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/lee-kuan-yew-3939_formulas_if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success_2327776.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/lee-kuan-yew-3939_formulas_if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success_2327776.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If there was one formula for our success,it was that we were constantly studying how to make things work,or…” — Lee Kuan Yew", "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": "Lee Kuan Yew", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If there was one formula for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success-it-was-that-we-were/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/if-there-was-one-formula-for-our-success-it-was-that-we-were/#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 } } ] } ```