---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What will matter is not your success but…"
description: "\"What will matter is not your success but your significance…\" — Michael Josephson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e8/michael-josephson-2363_inspirational_what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but_2443898.png"
---

#  What will matter is not your success but your significance…

![“What will matter is not your success but your significance…” quote by Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e8/michael-josephson-2363_inspirational_what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but_2443898.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e8/michael-josephson-2363_inspirational_what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but_2443898.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e8/michael-josephson-2363_inspirational_what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but_2443898.png)

> “What will matter is not your success but your significance…”

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

## About This Quote

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

True value lies in the impact you have on others, not merely personal achievements.

**In simple terms:** Significance outweighs success.

Key Takeaway

Focus on contributing meaningfully to others.

Themes

purpose legacy impact humility

Mood

inspirational thoughtful

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- career
- volunteering
- leadership
- teaching

Key Concepts

ethical philosophy existential meaning

Questions to Reflect On

- What legacy do you want to leave?
- How can you shift focus from self to others?

A Different Perspective

Success without purpose can feel empty.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Significance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/significance/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/)

## Related quotes

> [The vast majority of things are distractions, and very few really matter to your success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-williams/the-vast-majority-of-things-are-distractions-and-very-few-really/)

[Evan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-williams/)

> [I think there are certain people that you'll always want to impress no matter how much success you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-adams/i-think-there-are-certain-people-that-you-ll-always-want-to-impress/)

[Amy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-adams/)

> [I think there's something about dancers, they never ever forget where they come from. They never get grand, no matter what success they have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruthie-henshall/i-think-there-s-something-about-dancers-they-never-ever-forget-where/)

[Ruthie Henshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruthie-henshall/)

> [You know, I think I still have a sense that no matter what you do, no matter what you achieve, no matter how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-bradley/you-know-i-think-i-still-have-a-sense-that-no-matter-what-you-do-no/)

[Ed Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-bradley/)

> [When I meet with the founders of a new company, my advice is almost always, 'Do fewer things.' It's true of partnerships, marketing opportunities,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-williams/when-i-meet-with-the-founders-of-a-new-company-my-advice-is-almost/)

[Evan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-williams/)

> [“Regardless of where you are, I invite you, in the following pages, to discredit the view that the second half of your life will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-p-buford/regardless-of-where-you-are-i-invite-you-in-the-following-pages-to/)

[Bob P. Buford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-p-buford/)

> [The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/the-key-to-realizing-a-dream-is-to-focus-not-on-success-but/)

[Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/)

> [A lot of people believe they are successful because they have everything they want. They have added value to themselves. But I believe significance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-lot-of-people-believe-they-are-successful-because-they-have/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success...but significance!!! Then...even the small steps and little victories along your path will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-key-to-realizing-a-dream-is-to-focus-not-on-success-but-2/)

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

> [“how to find meaning and fulfillment in the second half of our lives. In short, how to move from success to significance! Stephen R.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-p-buford/how-to-find-meaning-and-fulfillment-in-the-second-half-of-our-lives/)

[Bob P. Buford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-p-buford/)

> [Success is about us. Significance is about others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/success-is-about-us-significance-is-about-others/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [A person of character seeks true happiness in living a life of purpose and meaning, placing a higher value on significance than success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/a-person-of-character-seeks-true-happiness-in-living-a-life-of/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [If we weigh the significance of a book by the effect it has on its readers, then the great children's books suddenly turn up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-miller/if-we-weigh-the-significance-of-a-book-by-the-effect-it-has-on-its/)

[Laura Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-miller/)

> [Free agency is a gift of God…The world does not comprehend the significance of that divine gift to the individual. It is as inherent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-mckay/free-agency-is-a-gift-of-god-the-world-does-not-comprehend-the/)

[David O. McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-mckay/)

> [The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-significance-of-life-consists-in-helping-to-establish-the/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

## More by Michael Josephson

> [No one is born with good character; it's not a hereditary trait. And it isn't determined by a single noble act. Character is established…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/no-one-is-born-with-good-character-it-s-not-a-hereditary-trait-and-it/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [America is a song that sounds the best when we all sing together - at least for a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/america-is-a-song-that-sounds-the-best-when-we-all-sing-together-at/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/approach-the-new-year-with-resolve-to-find-the-opportunities-hidden/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [The difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is not in the event itself but how you think about it and what you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/the-difference-between-stepping-stones-and-stumbling-blocks-is-not-in/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [Pretty isn't beauty. Pretty is how you look; Beauty is who you are. Pretty is in the face and body; Beauty is in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/pretty-isn-t-beauty-pretty-is-how-you-look-beauty-is-who-you-are/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [Sportsmanship is the ethical and moral dimension of sports. It is demonstrated by a number of attributes and attitudes such as fair play, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/sportsmanship-is-the-ethical-and-moral-dimension-of-sports-it-is/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [Surround our children with a message of honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/surround-our-children-with-a-message-of-honor/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [The key to success is effort. The bigger the goal, the greater the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/the-key-to-success-is-effort-the-bigger-the-goal-the-greater-the/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [“We can't live forever but what we do can change lives forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/we-can-t-live-forever-but-what-we-do-can-change-lives-forever/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [Take pride in how far you've come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don't forget to enjoy the journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/take-pride-in-how-far-you-ve-come-have-faith-in-how-far-you-can-go/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [Leadership is not a matter of authority, it is a matter of influence. A true leader teaches others to understand more, motivates them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/leadership-is-not-a-matter-of-authority-it-is-a-matter-of-influence-a/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [People who don't believe in you are right only if you believe they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/people-who-don-t-believe-in-you-are-right-only-if-you-believe-they-are/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [There is within you, waiting to be called, a great source of power called courage. Call its name and it will give you the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/there-is-within-you-waiting-to-be-called-a-great-source-of-power/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [No word makes me happier than the word "daddy" when it's directed to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/no-word-makes-me-happier-than-the-word-daddy-when-it-s-directed-to-me/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

> [Ethics is not for wimps. It's not easy being a good person. That's why it's such a lofty goal and an admirable achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/ethics-is-not-for-wimps-it-s-not-easy-being-a-good-person-that-s-why/)

[Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

[Explore all 170 Michael Josephson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/)

## More Inspirational quotes

> [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/)

> [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/)

[H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/)

> [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/)

[Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/)

> [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

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

> [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/)

[Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/)

> [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/)

[Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/)

> [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/)

[Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/)

> [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/)

[Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/)

> [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/)

[Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/)

> [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/)

[Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/)

> [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/)

[Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/)

> [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/)

[Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/)

[Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "What will matter is not your success but your significance…",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Josephson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but-your-significance/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Inspirational"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but-your-significance/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e8/michael-josephson-2363_inspirational_what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but_2443898.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e8/michael-josephson-2363_inspirational_what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but_2443898.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e8/michael-josephson-2363_inspirational_what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but_2443898.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“What will matter is not your success but your significance…” — Michael Josephson",
                "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": "Michael Josephson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "What will matter is not your...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but-your-significance/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/what-will-matter-is-not-your-success-but-your-significance/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
