--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Anybody can change, but they have to want…" description: "\"Anybody can change, but they have to want to change.\" — Marshall Goldsmith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/marshall-goldsmith-6918_change_anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want_686940.png" --- # Anybody can change, but they have to want to change. ![“Anybody can change, but they have to want to change.” quote by Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/marshall-goldsmith-6918_change_anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want_686940.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/marshall-goldsmith-6918_change_anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want_686940.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/marshall-goldsmith-6918_change_anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want_686940.png) > “Anybody can change, but they have to want to change.” [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Change requires personal desire; without wanting it, external pressure can't compel lasting transformation. **In simple terms:** Change needs personal desire. Key Takeaway Cultivate genuine desire before attempting change. Themes personal growth motivation behavior change Mood reflective inspirational Type motivational self-help When to use this quote - career development - habit formation - relationship improvement - health goals Key Concepts self-determination intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - Do you truly want the change you seek? - What obstacles block your desire? A Different Perspective Desire alone may be insufficient without resources or support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [I don't allow anybody to change me. I still walk outta my house in rollers and I take walks. I do not care what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/britney-spears/i-don-t-allow-anybody-to-change-me-i-still-walk-outta-my-house-in/) [Britney Spears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/britney-spears/) > [My sense is that you can never teach anybody anything, or change anybody in ways that they don't already have in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-naomi-remen/my-sense-is-that-you-can-never-teach-anybody-anything-or-change/) [Rachel Naomi Remen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-naomi-remen/) > [Don't let anybody change you your beautiful just the way you are!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-let-anybody-change-you-your-beautiful-just-the-way-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Know yourself, and dont allow yourself to change for anybody, or let anybody change you, but God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/know-yourself-and-dont-allow-yourself-to-change-for-anybody-or-let/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have never met anybody who can change their point of view as easily as me. It's profoundly embarrassing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-hancock/i-have-never-met-anybody-who-can-change-their-point-of-view-as-easily/) [Sheila Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-hancock/) > [If I can change, anybody can change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/if-i-can-change-anybody-can-change/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [If you want to be happy, make someone else happy. If you want to find the right person in your life, be the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/if-you-want-to-be-happy-make-someone-else-happy-if-you-want-to-find/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“To change you must want to change, you must be responsible for the change, and then take action to make the change. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-narofsky/to-change-you-must-want-to-change-you-must-be-responsible-for-the/) [Thomas Narofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-narofsky/) > [If you want anything to change, you've got to change it. If you want things to get better, you've got to get better. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/if-you-want-anything-to-change-you-ve-got-to-change-it-if-you-want/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [If you want change, and you want things to get better across the country, there's different ways to go about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-jenkins/if-you-want-change-and-you-want-things-to-get-better-across-the/) [Malcolm Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-jenkins/) > [I think people want to see change, want to see something new and Hillary Clinton is just not that person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-think-people-want-to-see-change-want-to-see-something-new-and/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Forget the idiots, they're going to see what they want to see, even if you change. They don't want to see you happy. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forget-the-idiots-they-re-going-to-see-what-they-want-to-see-even-if/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to change something. I want to stop the germs from attacking my daughters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandar-hemon/i-want-to-change-something-i-want-to-stop-the-germs-from-attacking-my/) [Aleksandar Hemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandar-hemon/) > [During my travels in Iraq, Israel, Gaza, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Europe and all over the United States, I have seen and heard the voices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-franti/during-my-travels-in-iraq-israel-gaza-brazil-indonesia-japan-europe/) [Michael Franti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-franti/) > [As much as people say they love change, they love it when you change - not when you want them to change. Even when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/safra-a-catz/as-much-as-people-say-they-love-change-they-love-it-when-you-change/) [Safra A. Catz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/safra-a-catz/) ## More by Marshall Goldsmith > [Our inner beliefs trigger failure before it happens. They sabotage lasting change by canceling its possibility. We employ these beliefs as articles of faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/our-inner-beliefs-trigger-failure-before-it-happens-they-sabotage/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [If the CEO is not going to give you a fair chance, you're probably not going to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/if-the-ceo-is-not-going-to-give-you-a-fair-chance-you-re-probably-not/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [Never confuse acquiring degrees with wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/never-confuse-acquiring-degrees-with-wisdom/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [Change is not a one-way street- it involves two parties: the person who is changing and the people who notice it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/change-is-not-a-one-way-street-it-involves-two-parties-the-person-who/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [Active questions are the alternative to passive questions. There is a huge difference between, 'Do you have clear goals?' and 'Did you do your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/active-questions-are-the-alternative-to-passive-questions-there-is-a/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [We deify willpower and self-control - and mock its absence. People who achieve through remarkable willpower are 'strong' and 'heroic.' People who need help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/we-deify-willpower-and-self-control-and-mock-its-absence-people-who/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [Those who lead by example and demonstrate passion for what they do make it much easier for their followers to do the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/those-who-lead-by-example-and-demonstrate-passion-for-what-they-do/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [One of the most important actions, things a leader can do, is to lead by example. If you want everyone else to be passionate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/one-of-the-most-important-actions-things-a-leader-can-do-is-to-lead/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [Almost everyone I meet is successful because of doing a lot of things right, and almost everyone I meet is successful in spite of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/almost-everyone-i-meet-is-successful-because-of-doing-a-lot-of-things/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [In our world, we have this huge focus on vicarious living - politicians, movie stars, athletes, coaches, all these people. What our research has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/in-our-world-we-have-this-huge-focus-on-vicarious-living-politicians/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [It's not appropriate to pass judgment when we specifically ask people to voice their opinions... even if you ask a question and agree with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/it-s-not-appropriate-to-pass-judgment-when-we-specifically-ask-people/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [The only thing I don't think people don't understand about good leaders is that they're both good and lucky. A lot of it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/the-only-thing-i-don-t-think-people-don-t-understand-about-good/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [As I've gotten older, I've gotten simpler - my level of aspiration has actually gone down and down. But my level of impact has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/as-i-ve-gotten-older-i-ve-gotten-simpler-my-level-of-aspiration-has/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [The more we are committed to believing that something is true, the less likely we are to believe that its opposite is true, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/the-more-we-are-committed-to-believing-that-something-is-true-the/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [The people I coach are very successful people, so it's very hard for winners to not constantly win. Even if it's trivial and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/the-people-i-coach-are-very-successful-people-so-it-s-very-hard-for/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) [Explore all 96 Marshall Goldsmith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Anybody can change, but they have to want to change.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marshall Goldsmith" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want-to-change/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want-to-change/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/marshall-goldsmith-6918_change_anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want_686940.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/marshall-goldsmith-6918_change_anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want_686940.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/marshall-goldsmith-6918_change_anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want_686940.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Anybody can change, but they have to want to change.” — Marshall Goldsmith", "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": "Marshall Goldsmith", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Anybody can change, but they have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want-to-change/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/anybody-can-change-but-they-have-to-want-to-change/#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 } } ] } ```