--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Change doesn’t happen overnight. It…" description: "\"Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with the desire, then one small step in the right direction.\" — Paula Deen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac9/paula-deen-8030_change_change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-start_1969717.png" --- # Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with the… ![“Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with the desire, then one small step in the right direction.” quote by Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac9/paula-deen-8030_change_change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-start_1969717.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac9/paula-deen-8030_change_change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-start_1969717.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac9/paula-deen-8030_change_change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-start_1969717.png) > “Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with the desire, then one small step in the right direction.” [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) ## 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 desire and a small, correct step, not instant transformation. **In simple terms:** Small steps start change. Key Takeaway Begin with a clear intention and act. Themes change progress patience Mood motivational practical Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - personal health - career development - learning new skills - habit formation Key Concepts goal setting behavioral economics Questions to Reflect On - What small step can you take today? - How does desire fuel consistent action? A Different Perspective Progress can stall without sustained effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-doesn/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire Small](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-small-3299652/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Right direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-direction/) [Small Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-step/) [Small steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-steps/) [Starts Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starts-desire-3299651/) [Steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps/) [Steps in the right direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps-in-the-right-direction/) ## Related quotes > [You would think that taking tiny little steps would seem so trivial. Not true! It is better to take many small steps in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigitte-nicole/you-would-think-that-taking-tiny-little-steps-would-seem-so-trivial/) [Brigitte Nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigitte-nicole/) > [In desire, there must be some small amount of tension. And that tension comes with the unknown, the unpredictable. You can close yourself off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-perel/in-desire-there-must-be-some-small-amount-of-tension-and-that-tension/) [Esther Perel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-perel/) > [“I was still hurting, my heart still aching with all of the loss, but I began to attempt to live again. To wake, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/i-was-still-hurting-my-heart-still-aching-with-all-of-the-loss-but-i/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-sachar/it-is-better-to-take-many-small-steps-in-the-right-direction-than-to/) [Louis Sachar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-sachar/) > [“Small Steps In The Right Direction Lead To Lasting Change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-caren/small-steps-in-the-right-direction-lead-to-lasting-change/) [David A. Caren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-caren/) > [This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-armstrong/this-is-one-small-step-for-a-man-one-giant-leap-for-mankind/) [Neil Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-armstrong/) > [Confidence is everything. From there, it's a small step to winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-stadler/confidence-is-everything-from-there-it-s-a-small-step-to-winning/) [Craig Stadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-stadler/) > [Between believing a thing and thinking you KNOW is only a small step and quickly taken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/between-believing-a-thing-and-thinking-you-know-is-only-a-small-step/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [The secret to success, to parenting, to life, is to not count up the cost. Don't focus on all the steps it will take.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/the-secret-to-success-to-parenting-to-life-is-to-not-count-up-the/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human-limitations-can-be-more/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I went through the usual stages: imp, rascal, scalawag, whippersnapper. And, of course, after that it's just a small step to full-blown sociopath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-went-through-the-usual-stages-imp-rascal-scalawag-whippersnapper/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Take great comfort in knowing that ALL great feats are accomplished one small step at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/take-great-comfort-in-knowing-that-all-great-feats-are-accomplished/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [“It may just be a small step in a bigger battle, but it was something at least. Before you know it, lots of small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-clarke/it-may-just-be-a-small-step-in-a-bigger-battle-but-it-was-something/) [Cat Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-clarke/) > [Take care of the small circle around you. When you have succeeded with them, then move outwards, one small step at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/take-care-of-the-small-circle-around-you-when-you-have-succeeded-with/) [Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/) > [The great work of social transformation begins with the first small step of stopping, calming, relaxing, reflecting and acting in a beneficial way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satish-kumar/the-great-work-of-social-transformation-begins-with-the-first-small/) [Satish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satish-kumar/) ## More by Paula Deen > [I have a lot of secret uses for sour cream, which is the magic ingredient in my mac and cheese. It's an old-timey, Southern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/i-have-a-lot-of-secret-uses-for-sour-cream-which-is-the-magic/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [If you've got a good idea and you're willing to do whatever it takes to pursue it, keep your head up and eyes open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/if-you-ve-got-a-good-idea-and-you-re-willing-to-do-whatever-it-takes/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [I don't want to spend my life not having good food going into my pie hole. That hole was made for pies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/i-don-t-want-to-spend-my-life-not-having-good-food-going-into-my-pie/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [It’s just what they are — they’re jokes…most jokes are about Jewish people, rednecks, black folks…I can’t determine what offends another person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/it-s-just-what-they-are-they-re-jokes-most-jokes-are-about-jewish/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [When it's said and done, the one thing I want to leave on this earth is hope. I have felt hopelessness, and it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/when-it-s-said-and-done-the-one-thing-i-want-to-leave-on-this-earth/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [Life is too short to wonder where you hid your waffle maker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/life-is-too-short-to-wonder-where-you-hid-your-waffle-maker/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [I can't, myself determine what offends another person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/i-can-t-myself-determine-what-offends-another-person/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [I pay people very, very well - probably more than I have to. But that costs me less money in the long run because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/i-pay-people-very-very-well-probably-more-than-i-have-to-but-that/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [I think if you've been invited to someone's house, you eat what they serve you. Even if you leave hungry, you be gracious enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/i-think-if-you-ve-been-invited-to-someone-s-house-you-eat-what-they/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [I'm making little changes in my life to take care of myself, like putting in a mile or two on my treadmill every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/i-m-making-little-changes-in-my-life-to-take-care-of-myself-like/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [Growing up, I had a very busy social life. It wasn't until I was a sophomore in high school that I asked Mama if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/growing-up-i-had-a-very-busy-social-life-it-wasn-t-until-i-was-a/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [I am proud to be a Southerner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/i-am-proud-to-be-a-southerner/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [I'm so thankful. God has been so good and generous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/i-m-so-thankful-god-has-been-so-good-and-generous/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [Love is blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/love-is-blind-but-marriage-is-a-real-eye-opener/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [“Loneliness is not the worst emotion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/loneliness-is-not-the-worst-emotion/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) [Explore all 84 Paula Deen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with the desire, then one small step in the right direction.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paula Deen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-starts-with-the-desire-then-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-starts-with-the-desire-then-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac9/paula-deen-8030_change_change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-start_1969717.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac9/paula-deen-8030_change_change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-start_1969717.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac9/paula-deen-8030_change_change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-start_1969717.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with the desire, then one small step in the right direction.” — Paula Deen", "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": "Paula Deen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-starts-with-the-desire-then-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-starts-with-the-desire-then-one/#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 } } ] } ```