---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only thing that happens if you wait…"
description: "\"The only thing that happens if you wait, is that you get older.\" — Mario Andretti"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/mario-andretti-4117_happens_the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait_534993.png"
---

#  The only thing that happens if you wait, is that you get…

![“The only thing that happens if you wait, is that you get older.” quote by Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/mario-andretti-4117_happens_the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait_534993.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/mario-andretti-4117_happens_the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait_534993.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/mario-andretti-4117_happens_the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait_534993.png)

> “The only thing that happens if you wait, is that you get older.”

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Waiting delays action and aging; progress requires immediate effort rather than postponement.

**In simple terms:** Waiting only makes you older; act now.

Key Takeaway

Take action without delay.

Themes

time action patience aging motivation

Mood

urgent reflective

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- career decisions
- personal goals
- health habits

Key Concepts

Opportunity cost temporal discounting procrastination

Questions to Reflect On

- What are you postponing?
- How does waiting affect your goals?

A Different Perspective

Delaying can lead to missed opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/)

## Related quotes

> [Somebody at one of these places asked me: "What do you do? How do you write, create?" You don't, I told them. You "don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/somebody-at-one-of-these-places-asked-me-what-do-you-do-how-do-you/)

[Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/)

> [Now is the time... if you want to make a difference in the world, now is the time. Don't be fooled into thinking you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-atchison/now-is-the-time-if-you-want-to-make-a-difference-in-the-world-now-is/)

[Ron Atchison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-atchison/)

> [“I’ll wait until we’re both older,” the kid went on, “and then I’ll nail her.”Van hit the brakes. “What?”“Like you and Aunt Irene.”Panic beginning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-laurenston/i-ll-wait-until-we-re-both-older-the-kid-went-on-and-then-i-ll-nail/)

[Shelly Laurenston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-laurenston/)

> [“Story Content Warning: There will be angst, sex, a little rough language and rampant lesbianism. If this is not your cup of tea, don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/badsquirrel/story-content-warning-there-will-be-angst-sex-a-little-rough-language/)

BadSquirrel

> [You will soon start a new phase of life! But that can wait until you are older. Enjoy another year of being young. Happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-soon-start-a-new-phase-of-life-but-that-can-wait-until-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When I was younger, I couldn't wait to be older but this s\*\*t was not what I expected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/when-i-was-younger-i-couldn-t-wait-to-be-older-but-this-s-t-was-not/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [We have a lifetime of wearing makeup, so while it's fun for girls to play, I think it's better that we wait until we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mally-roncal/we-have-a-lifetime-of-wearing-makeup-so-while-it-s-fun-for-girls-to/)

Mally Roncal

> [I was never afraid of getting old. I remember being young and thinking, Wow, I can't wait until I'm older because I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-sorrenti/i-was-never-afraid-of-getting-old-i-remember-being-young-and-thinking/)

[Mario Sorrenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-sorrenti/)

> [“i can't wait for the years to pass Jung Yoon, he said in hollow voice. Can't wait to be older, when i will understand,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyung-sook-shin/i-can-t-wait-for-the-years-to-pass-jung-yoon-he-said-in-hollow-voice/)

[Kyung-sook Shin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyung-sook-shin/)

> [I used to say to myself when I was seven years old that I couldn't wait to get older so I could make money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-payne/i-used-to-say-to-myself-when-i-was-seven-years-old-that-i-couldn-t/)

[Michelle Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-payne/)

> [Without publicity a terrible thing happens: nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/without-publicity-a-terrible-thing-happens-nothing/)

[P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/)

> [“The seconds pass. I know what’s going on because it’s the same thing that always happens: give me something nice, something I love or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/the-seconds-pass-i-know-what-s-going-on-because-it-s-the-same-thing/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [That is the most important thing to me, what happens behind the closed doors in the studio and makes me an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/that-is-the-most-important-thing-to-me-what-happens-behind-the-closed/)

[Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/)

> [“That is one of the patterns: when nothing is happening, nothing continues to happen, but after a while the lull becomes too much and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-haig/that-is-one-of-the-patterns-when-nothing-is-happening-nothing/)

[Matt Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-haig/)

> [Madaming is the sort of thing that happens to you - like getting a battlefield commission or becoming the dean of women at Stanford…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-stanford/madaming-is-the-sort-of-thing-that-happens-to-you-like-getting-a/)

[Sally Stanford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-stanford/)

## More by Mario Andretti

> [If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-have-everything-under-control-you-re-not-moving-fast-enough/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [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/)

> [Motor racing is like one big family, ultimately, and when you come back to it, that's really what it feels like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/motor-racing-is-like-one-big-family-ultimately-and-when-you-come-back/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal. Prepare yourself in every way you can by increasing your knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/circumstances-may-cause-interruptions-and-delays-but-never-lose-sight/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [Nobody had race savvy like Al Unser in his prime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/nobody-had-race-savvy-like-al-unser-in-his-prime/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [The passport changes but the blood doesn't](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/the-passport-changes-but-the-blood-doesn-t/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [What is golden is miles under your belt, miles, miles, miles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/what-is-golden-is-miles-under-your-belt-miles-miles-miles/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [ I'm so thankful that I've had such a long and uninterrupted \[knocks wood\] career... I count my blessings every day for that because it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/i-m-so-thankful-that-i-ve-had-such-a-long-and-uninterrupted-knocks/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [I had no problems staying motivated because things that were happening were things I looked forward to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/i-had-no-problems-staying-motivated-because-things-that-were/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [If you're so afraid of failure, you will never succeed. You have to take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-re-so-afraid-of-failure-you-will-never-succeed-you-have-to/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [As far as I'm concerned, Parnelli Jones was the greatest driver of his era. He had aggressiveness and also a finesse that no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/as-far-as-i-m-concerned-parnelli-jones-was-the-greatest-driver-of-his/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [Long Beach is the best. I tell everyone that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/long-beach-is-the-best-i-tell-everyone-that/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/desire-is-the-key-to-motivation-but-it-s-determination-and-commitment/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [When you are losing it can seem like there is a black cloud following you around, but like they say there is a silver…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/when-you-are-losing-it-can-seem-like-there-is-a-black-cloud-following/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [Nothing compares to the Indianapolis 500.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/nothing-compares-to-the-indianapolis-500/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

[Explore all 116 Mario Andretti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

## More Happens quotes

> [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/)

[Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/)

> [Sometimes it's just enough for me to have the idea. I don't need to see it through to the end. When it actually happens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/sometimes-it-s-just-enough-for-me-to-have-the-idea-i-don-t-need-to/)

[Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/)

> [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/)

[Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/)

> [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/)

[Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/)

> [Quantum physics fluctuates all the time. But now the fluctuations are not just particles coming into and out of existence, which happens all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/quantum-physics-fluctuates-all-the-time-but-now-the-fluctuations-are/)

[Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/)

> [Talented people can predict with great accuracy what's about to happen just a tiny bit ahead of their competitors. It might be two seconds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/talented-people-can-predict-with-great-accuracy-what-s-about-to/)

[Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/)

> [Faith is the avenue to salvation. Not intellectual understanding. Not money. Not your works. Just simple faith. How much faith? The faith of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/faith-is-the-avenue-to-salvation-not-intellectual-understanding-not/)

[Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/)

> [I always knew I wanted to have a good career, so I made it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chord-overstreet/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-have-a-good-career-so-i-made-it-happen/)

[Chord Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chord-overstreet/)

> [The amazing thing is that we live our lives with the hope that things will go right, that things will happen. And all along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-nakadate/the-amazing-thing-is-that-we-live-our-lives-with-the-hope-that-things/)

[Laurel Nakadate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-nakadate/)

> [I had sort of had a 21st birthday when I was 17, 18 years old living in Japan. I had all of that stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-wright/i-had-sort-of-had-a-21st-birthday-when-i-was-17-18-years-old-living/)

[Sarah Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-wright/)

> [I think the most miraculous thing is learning. I get out of the way and let the students learn. Then you get to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-think-the-most-miraculous-thing-is-learning-i-get-out-of-the-way/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/)

[Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/)

> [This mind is a prison. It cannot find any freedom anywhere. It must die before freedom comes to you. But we have taken the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/this-mind-is-a-prison-it-cannot-find-any-freedom-anywhere-it-must-die/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [Evolution happens in jumps, very rapidly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-ferguson/evolution-happens-in-jumps-very-rapidly/)

[Marilyn Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-ferguson/)

Browse all 13,486 Happens quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The only thing that happens if you wait, is that you get older.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mario Andretti"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait-is-that-you-get-older/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Happens"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait-is-that-you-get-older/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/mario-andretti-4117_happens_the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait_534993.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/mario-andretti-4117_happens_the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait_534993.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/mario-andretti-4117_happens_the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait_534993.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The only thing that happens if you wait, is that you get older.” — Mario Andretti",
                "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": "Mario Andretti",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The only thing that happens if...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait-is-that-you-get-older/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/the-only-thing-that-happens-if-you-wait-is-that-you-get-older/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
