--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe that the time to start thinking…" description: "\"I believe that the time to start thinking about your legacy is not at the end but at the beginning, because as I said, that's when you're able to do so..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/mike-matheny-55764_able_i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinkin_3193337.png" --- # I believe that the time to start thinking about your… ![“I believe that the time to start thinking about your legacy is not at the end but at the beginning, because as I said, that's when you're able to do something about it.” quote by Mike Matheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/mike-matheny-55764_able_i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinkin_3193337.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/mike-matheny-55764_able_i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinkin_3193337.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/mike-matheny-55764_able_i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinkin_3193337.png) > “I believe that the time to start thinking about your legacy is not at the end but at the beginning, because as I said, that's when you're able to do something about it.” [Mike Matheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-matheny/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thinking about legacy early empowers proactive decisions that shape lasting impact. **In simple terms:** Plan your legacy now, not later. Key Takeaway Start building your lasting impact today. Themes leadership legacy proactive planning career impact Mood determined inspirational Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - community service - team building - public speaking - writing memoirs Key Concepts long‑term vision personal branding mentorship goal setting strategic actions Questions to Reflect On - What legacy do you want to leave? - How can you align daily actions with that vision? A Different Perspective Early focus may cause over‑planning or pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-time/) [End Beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-beginning/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [I believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-believe/) [Legacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legacy/) [Legacy End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legacy-end-595267/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Start Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-thinking/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking about you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-about-you/) [Thinking Legacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-legacy-4102748/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I want to add to my legacy because, in the end, that's going to be the most valuable for my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-want-to-add-to-my-legacy-because-in-the-end-that-s-going-to-be-the/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [I'm thinking of a legacy that I can be proud of and wealth that my grandchildren can use to go to college. So world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/i-m-thinking-of-a-legacy-that-i-can-be-proud-of-and-wealth-that-my/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [If you live your life thinking about your legacy or what you're going to leave, you don't worry than you add another concern. Just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manu-ginobili/if-you-live-your-life-thinking-about-your-legacy-or-what-you-re-going/) [Manu Ginobili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manu-ginobili/) > [Stop thinking about your difficulties, whatever they are, and start thinking about God instead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmet-fox/stop-thinking-about-your-difficulties-whatever-they-are-and-start/) [Emmet Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmet-fox/) > [Quit thinking about your weight and start thinking about your worth and who you are and what you haven't done yet. What you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-field/quit-thinking-about-your-weight-and-start-thinking-about-your-worth/) [Sally Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-field/) > [Time doesn't exist. It doesn't exist in any way. It's more subjective than real. Time doesn't exist. I believe in memory. Memory is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arman/time-doesn-t-exist-it-doesn-t-exist-in-any-way-it-s-more-subjective/) [Arman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arman/) > [I can't believe that after all this time, i'm in love with a guy who will never be mine...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-chable/i-can-t-believe-that-after-all-this-time-i-m-in-love-with-a-guy-who/) [Ana Chable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-chable/) > [I don't believe in time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/velveteen-dream/i-don-t-believe-in-time/) [Velveteen Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/velveteen-dream/) > [There is no longer time for statements like 'if only' or 'we can't.' We must and we will succeed. The only question now is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-riley/there-is-no-longer-time-for-statements-like-if-only-or-we-can-t-we/) [Bob Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-riley/) > [One of the very true & greatest illusions of life is that we always believe there is more time in tomorrow than today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uknees-purple/one-of-the-very-true-greatest-illusions-of-life-is-that-we-always/) [Uknees Purple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uknees-purple/) > [“I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-picard/i-rather-believe-that-time-is-a-companion-who-goes-with-us-on-the/) [Captain Picard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/captain-picard/) > [“When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. ~Maya Angelou Remember this because it will happen many times in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/when-people-show-you-who-they-are-believe-them-the-first-time-maya/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Everything I do, I have to believe it is the first time I'm doing that kind of thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-song/everything-i-do-i-have-to-believe-it-is-the-first-time-i-m-doing-that/) [Celine Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-song/) > [“Mr. Albert Einstein was right: If you feel you need to go one way, even when everyone else is going the other way, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-r-lemieux/mr-albert-einstein-was-right-if-you-feel-you-need-to-go-one-way-even/) [Martin R. Lemieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-r-lemieux/) > ['These people who contributed to who I am, they are with me wherever I go and as history gets re-written in small ways with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/these-people-who-contributed-to-who-i-am-they-are-with-me-wherever-i/) [Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/) ## More by Mike Matheny > [I'm a believer that some messages are not meant to be shared publicly. They're meant to stay inside the clubhouse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-matheny/i-m-a-believer-that-some-messages-are-not-meant-to-be-shared-publicly/) [Mike Matheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-matheny/) > [Character is forged not on the mountaintop but in the valley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-matheny/character-is-forged-not-on-the-mountaintop-but-in-the-valley/) [Mike Matheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-matheny/) > [I don't want to cower at somebody's interpretation of what I'm about. I'm supposed to be doing it and I'm going to throw this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-matheny/i-don-t-want-to-cower-at-somebody-s-interpretation-of-what-i-m-about/) [Mike Matheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-matheny/) > [I didn't feel good today- little things here and there- but that's the nature of this game. 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If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) [Greg Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-perry/) > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) [Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I believe that the time to start thinking about your legacy is not at the end but at the beginning, because as I said, that's when you're able to do something about it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mike Matheny" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-matheny/i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinking-about-your-legacy-is-not-at/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Able" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-matheny/i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinking-about-your-legacy-is-not-at/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/mike-matheny-55764_able_i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinkin_3193337.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/mike-matheny-55764_able_i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinkin_3193337.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/mike-matheny-55764_able_i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinkin_3193337.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I believe that the time to start thinking about your legacy is not at the end but at the beginning, because…” — Mike Matheny", "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": "Mike Matheny", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-matheny/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I believe that the time to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-matheny/i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinking-about-your-legacy-is-not-at/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-matheny/i-believe-that-the-time-to-start-thinking-about-your-legacy-is-not-at/#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 } } ] } ```