Skip to content

Habits Quote by Marshall Goldsmith

“After living with their dysfunctional behavior for so many years (a sunk cost if ever there was one), people become invested in defending their dysfunctions rather than changing them.” quote by Marshall Goldsmith
Download Open image
“After living with their dysfunctional behavior for so many years (a sunk cost if ever there was one), people become invested in defending their dysfunctions rather than changing them.”

Marshall Goldsmith

About This Quote

Source Book: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, 2007

People cling to familiar dysfunctions because they’ve invested time, making change harder than staying the same.

In simple terms: People defend bad habits due to past investment.

Key Takeaway

Challenge entrenched habits.

Themes

behavior change investment psychology self‑awareness

Mood

reflective critical

Type

self‑help analytical

When to use this quote

  • career transitions
  • personal relationships
  • habit reform

Key Concepts

Cognitive dissonance status quo bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • What dysfunction are you defending?
  • What would you gain by letting it go?
A Different Perspective

Changing may feel like loss of identity.

3.7 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Marshall Goldsmith

Explore all 96 Marshall Goldsmith quotes

More Habits quotes

Browse all 12,572 Habits quotes