--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can't change where you started, but…" description: "\"You can't change where you started, but you can change the direction you are going. It's not what you are going to do, but it's what you are doing now ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/napoleon-hill-201_can-t-change_you-can-t-change-where-you-started-but-y_2781950.jpg" --- # You can't change where you started, but you can change the… ![“You can't change where you started, but you can change the direction you are going. It's not what you are going to do, but it's what you are doing now that counts.” quote by Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/napoleon-hill-201_can-t-change_you-can-t-change-where-you-started-but-y_2781950.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/napoleon-hill-201_can-t-change_you-can-t-change-where-you-started-but-y_2781950.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/napoleon-hill-201_can-t-change_you-can-t-change-where-you-started-but-y_2781950.jpg) > “You can't change where you started, but you can change the direction you are going. It's not what you are going to do, but it's what you are doing now that counts.” [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. One cannot alter their origins, but can choose the direction and actions taken now, which define future outcomes. **In simple terms:** You can change your path, not your start. Key Takeaway Focus on present actions to shape destiny. Themes self-improvement direction choice action future Mood motivational pragmatic Type selfhelp philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - habit formation - life coaching Key Concepts goal setting personal agency Questions to Reflect On - What current actions align with your desired direction? - How can you overcome past constraints? A Different Perspective Past circumstances may limit options. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Can't change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-t-change/) [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/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) ## Related quotes > [If you dont change the direction you are going, then youre likely to end up where youre heading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maxwell/if-you-dont-change-the-direction-you-are-going-then-youre-likely-to/) [John Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maxwell/) > [If you don’t change the direction you are going, then you’re likely to end up where you’re heading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-don-t-change-the-direction-you-are-going-then-you-re-likely-to/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [When you can’t change the direction of the wind — adjust your sails](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/when-you-can-t-change-the-direction-of-the-wind-adjust-your-sails/) [H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/) > [It was when I came back from Leeds that things started to change. I went from being a kid to having to man up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/it-was-when-i-came-back-from-leeds-that-things-started-to-change-i/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [When I started being authentically me, everything started to change. Everyone thinks we've got to be someone we're not, but we don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-alcott/when-i-started-being-authentically-me-everything-started-to-change/) [Dylan Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-alcott/) > [The Truth Is... I Never Really Cared You Started To Change You Stopped Noticing So I Started Changing For The Better For The Worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brionie-b/the-truth-is-i-never-really-cared-you-started-to-change-you-stopped/) Brionie B > [I started to change. It was sort of a restaurant mid-life crisis, you could say. I lost a lot of confidence, not so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-redzepi/i-started-to-change-it-was-sort-of-a-restaurant-mid-life-crisis-you/) [Rene Redzepi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-redzepi/) > [Here was something that I did all the time, and thought nothing of it, and it turns out the rest of the world thinks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-wells/here-was-something-that-i-did-all-the-time-and-thought-nothing-of-it/) [Dan Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-wells/) > [The moment I understood this - that my Parkinson's was the one thing I wasn't going to change - I started looking at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-fox/the-moment-i-understood-this-that-my-parkinson-s-was-the-one-thing-i/) [Michael J. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-fox/) > [I actually ended up going through a vocal change. It started about two years ago, and it's only been recently that I found my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/i-actually-ended-up-going-through-a-vocal-change-it-started-about-two/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes and I am left the same. The more things change the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/just-when-i-think-i-have-learned-the-way-to-live-life-changes-and-i/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [“I thought change started from within." "Sometimes. Sometimes it's forced upon you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-hannah/i-thought-change-started-from-within-sometimes-sometimes-it-s-forced/) [Kristin Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-hannah/) > [I wanted to change my name when I first started because I thought, 'No-one is going to believe that it is my name.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-wanted-to-change-my-name-when-i-first-started-because-i-thought-no/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq. I was cynical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walid-jumblatt/it-s-strange-for-me-to-say-it-but-this-process-of-change-has-started/) [Walid Jumblatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walid-jumblatt/) > [When I went to jail with that problem with my wife, they didn't let me see my kids for two or three months, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-ramirez/when-i-went-to-jail-with-that-problem-with-my-wife-they-didn-t-let-me/) [Manny Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-ramirez/) ## More by Napoleon Hill > [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/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [A state of mind is something that one assumes. It cannot be purchased, it must be created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/a-state-of-mind-is-something-that-one-assumes-it-cannot-be-purchased/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [The mind requires regular use to remain strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-mind-requires-regular-use-to-remain-strong/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [The vast majority of people are born, grow up, struggle and go through life in misery and failure, not realizing that it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-vast-majority-of-people-are-born-grow-up-struggle-and-go-through/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [No accurate thinker will judge another person by that which the other person's enemies say about him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/no-accurate-thinker-will-judge-another-person-by-that-which-the-other/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [“To all these I wish to convey the thought that all achievement, no matter what may be its nature, or its purpose, must begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/to-all-these-i-wish-to-convey-the-thought-that-all-achievement-no/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [“Tell the world what you intend to do, but first show it.” This”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/tell-the-world-what-you-intend-to-do-but-first-show-it-this/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Handicaps can be converted into stepping stones on which one may climb toward some worthy goal, unless they are accepted as obstacles, and used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/handicaps-can-be-converted-into-stepping-stones-on-which-one-may/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [You become what you think about](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/you-become-what-you-think-about/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Every man's own character is written so all who will may read it, in the expression of his eyes, the tone of his voice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/every-man-s-own-character-is-written-so-all-who-will-may-read-it-in/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Life is a mirror of your consistent thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/life-is-a-mirror-of-your-consistent-thoughts/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Success requires no explanations. Failure permits no alibis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/success-requires-no-explanations-failure-permits-no-alibis/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [The habit of taking the line of least resistance makes all rivers and some men crooked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-habit-of-taking-the-line-of-least-resistance-makes-all-rivers-and/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [“There are no limitations to the mind except those that we acknowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/there-are-no-limitations-to-the-mind-except-those-that-we-acknowledge/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) [Explore all 928 Napoleon Hill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) ## More Can't change quotes > [Donʹt worry now about what you canʹt change. Rest when you can so youʹll be ready for tomorrowʹs battles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/don-t-worry-now-about-what-you-can-t-change-rest-when-you-can-so-you/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [You can't change your life. This mode in literature goes against the more middle-brown mode, which is about shaping your destiny, changing it. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-mccarthy/you-can-t-change-your-life-this-mode-in-literature-goes-against-the/) Tommy McCarthy > [You can't change a man, no-ways. By the time his mummy turns him loose and he takes up with some innocent woman and marries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-kinnan-rawlings/you-can-t-change-a-man-no-ways-by-the-time-his-mummy-turns-him-loose/) [Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-kinnan-rawlings/) > [I don't worry about the things I can't change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/i-don-t-worry-about-the-things-i-can-t-change/) [Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/) > [Congress decides who becomes a citizen and how. To automatically say the 14th Amendment grants birthright citizenship, no, we can't change that. Amending the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/congress-decides-who-becomes-a-citizen-and-how-to-automatically-say/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Though I can't change what happened, I can choose how to react. And I don't want to spend the rest of my life being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-amos/though-i-can-t-change-what-happened-i-can-choose-how-to-react-and-i/) [Tori Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-amos/) > [When a poem is really finished, you can't change anything. You can't move words around. You can't say, 'In other words, you mean.' No,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-merwin/when-a-poem-is-really-finished-you-can-t-change-anything-you-can-t/) [W. S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin/) > [The only thing one can usually change in one's situation is oneself. And yet one can't change that either-only ask Our Lord to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-only-thing-one-can-usually-change-in-one-s-situation-is-oneself/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [I can't change my gender, and I refuse to stop making movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-bigelow/i-can-t-change-my-gender-and-i-refuse-to-stop-making-movies/) [Kathryn Bigelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-bigelow/) > [But I think it's more that when you're young, you're invincible, you're immortal - or at least you think you are. The possibilities are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damien-hirst/but-i-think-it-s-more-that-when-you-re-young-you-re-invincible-you-re/) [Damien Hirst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damien-hirst/) > [You can't change t he wor ld f rom t he rear view mir ror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-roddick/you-can-t-change-t-he-wor-ld-f-rom-t-he-rear-view-mir-ror/) [Anita Roddick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-roddick/) > [You can't change your attitude because you're the champion. I've always kept my feet on the ground and never wanted to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renan-barao/you-can-t-change-your-attitude-because-you-re-the-champion-i-ve/) Renan Barao > [By the time you're 30, you know who you are inside. You learn to laugh at things you can't change; you learn to be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kajol/by-the-time-you-re-30-you-know-who-you-are-inside-you-learn-to-laugh/) [Kajol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kajol/) > [Those that can't change even their toothbrush and pyjamas are trying to change the world! Let us be serious!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/those-that-can-t-change-even-their-toothbrush-and-pyjamas-are-trying/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [The message I'm sending to myself - I can't change the world until I change myself first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-lamar/the-message-i-m-sending-to-myself-i-can-t-change-the-world-until-i/) [Kendrick Lamar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-lamar/) [Browse all 311 Can't change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-t-change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can't change where you started, but you can change the direction you are going. 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