--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I’ve found that often the quality you see…" description: "\"“I’ve found that often the quality you see in successful people is knowing when to take the initiative, and being quick about it. I’ve never sat aroun..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/r-k-lilley-1565_success_i-ve-found-that-often-the-quality-you-se_2249175.jpg" --- # I’ve found that often the quality you see in successful… ![“I’ve found that often the quality you see in successful people is knowing when to take the initiative, and being quick about it. I’ve never sat around, waiting for someone to tell me to take charge. I just do it.” quote by R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/r-k-lilley-1565_success_i-ve-found-that-often-the-quality-you-se_2249175.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/r-k-lilley-1565_success_i-ve-found-that-often-the-quality-you-se_2249175.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/r-k-lilley-1565_success_i-ve-found-that-often-the-quality-you-se_2249175.jpg) > ““I’ve found that often the quality you see in successful people is knowing when to take the initiative, and being quick about it.  I’ve never sat around, waiting for someone to tell me to take charge.  I just do it.”” [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success often comes from recognizing when to act and taking initiative without waiting for direction. **In simple terms:** Take initiative and act quickly. Key Takeaway Act without waiting for orders. Themes initiative proactivity leadership self‑motivation Mood motivational pragmatic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - starting a project - seizing market opportunities - personal goal setting Key Concepts behavioral psychology career development entrepreneurship Questions to Reflect On - When is it better to wait for guidance? - How do you balance initiative with strategic planning? A Different Perspective May lead to reckless decisions without proper planning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Initiative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initiative/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Successful people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful-people/) ## Related quotes > [The ability to negotiate with other people without friction and argument is the outstanding quality of all successful people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-ability-to-negotiate-with-other-people-without-friction-and/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [There's a certain delusional quality that all successful people have to have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/there-s-a-certain-delusional-quality-that-all-successful-people-have/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [Studies indicate that the one quality all successful people have is persistence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-brothers/studies-indicate-that-the-one-quality-all-successful-people-have-is-2/) [Joyce Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-brothers/) > [The ones who give quality will be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-gucci/the-ones-who-give-quality-will-be-successful/) [Maurizio Gucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-gucci/) > [Studies indicate that the one quality all successful people have is persistence. They're willing to spend more time accomplishing a task and to persevere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-brothers/studies-indicate-that-the-one-quality-all-successful-people-have-is/) [Joyce Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-brothers/) > [“The one quality that all successful business leaders have in common is tenacity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-throness/the-one-quality-that-all-successful-business-leaders-have-in-common/) Trevor Throness > [The key quality all successful people share is the ability to inspire, to transfer our passion to other people and to bring them along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amma-asante/the-key-quality-all-successful-people-share-is-the-ability-to-inspire/) [Amma Asante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amma-asante/) > [The only thing that separates successful people from the ones who aren't is the willingness to work very, very hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-gurley-brown/the-only-thing-that-separates-successful-people-from-the-ones-who/) [Helen Gurley Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-gurley-brown/) > [All successful people - not just entrepreneurs - have got things wrong over and over again before finding the right solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/all-successful-people-not-just-entrepreneurs-have-got-things-wrong/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Successful people are always thinking about what they can do to move to the next level. Initiative is the drive to do it -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bartiromo/successful-people-are-always-thinking-about-what-they-can-do-to-move/) [Maria Bartiromo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bartiromo/) > [We believe in individual initiative, personal responsibility, opportunity, freedom, small government, the Constitution. These principles, these American principles are key to getting our economy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/we-believe-in-individual-initiative-personal-responsibility/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I think we should all hope for a Russia that is successful, where its people are employed and the economy is growing and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-we-should-all-hope-for-a-russia-that-is-successful-where-its/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The most successful people do not make up the rules as they go. They have a set of rules that they follow and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-chancellor/the-most-successful-people-do-not-make-up-the-rules-as-they-go-they/) [John Chancellor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-chancellor/) > [“Don't envy what people have, emulate what they did to have it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/don-t-envy-what-people-have-emulate-what-they-did-to-have-it/) [Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/) > [The most successful people in this world recognize that taking chances to get what they want is much more productive than sitting around being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-harvey/the-most-successful-people-in-this-world-recognize-that-taking/) [Steve Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-harvey/) ## More by R.K. Lilley > [“I fell in love with your eyes first because I looked into their depths and saw the other half of my soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/i-fell-in-love-with-your-eyes-first-because-i-looked-into-their/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“I want you to let go. i want you to submit. I want to make you lose your mind. I want you to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/i-want-you-to-let-go-i-want-you-to-submit-i-want-to-make-you-lose/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“Where there is love there is forever,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/where-there-is-love-there-is-forever/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“She opened for me, every part of her available and soft for me.  Except her heart, I thought.  That she had closed to me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/she-opened-for-me-every-part-of-her-available-and-soft-for-me-except/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“Not you. I love any touch from you. It feels caring, and I want that. I want so much for you to care for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/not-you-i-love-any-touch-from-you-it-feels-caring-and-i-want-that-i/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“You are special. You're the most special person in the world to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/you-are-special-you-re-the-most-special-person-in-the-world-to-me/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“As you wish, Buttercup.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/as-you-wish-buttercup/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“There’s not an ounce of dirt on you, sweetheart. You have the purest heart I’ve ever known.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/there-s-not-an-ounce-of-dirt-on-you-sweetheart-you-have-the-purest/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“Somewhere, in the great expanse of space, There is a home where souls reside, Yours and mine were joined together I have not moved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/somewhere-in-the-great-expanse-of-space-there-is-a-home-where-souls/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“Frankie and Estella want your sperm for their baby,” I began. He blinked , then bent down and kissed me on the nose. “Will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/frankie-and-estella-want-your-sperm-for-their-baby-i-began-he-blinked/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“Don't foist your body image issues on me, mate. I'm sexy. When I want a six pack, I go to the liquor store.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/don-t-foist-your-body-image-issues-on-me-mate-i-m-sexy-when-i-want-a/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“Well, boo, how does bacon sound?” “Bacon sounds great, but you can’t call me boo.” “Why not?” “Because you’re not a rapper, and I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/well-boo-how-does-bacon-sound-bacon-sounds-great-but-you-can-t-call/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“You’re so perfect,” I murmured to him as we came up for air. “I can’t believe you’re all mine.” His laugh was rough and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/you-re-so-perfect-i-murmured-to-him-as-we-came-up-for-air-i-can-t/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“No, sweetheart.  I expect you to submit.  They’re only padded because I can’t bear the thought of so much as bruising you.  I take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/no-sweetheart-i-expect-you-to-submit-they-re-only-padded-because-i/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“You were this perfect, enchantingly beautiful girl that made the world brighter just by being in it, and you were ours. I can’t tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/you-were-this-perfect-enchantingly-beautiful-girl-that-made-the-world/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) [Explore all 227 R.K. Lilley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) ## More Initiative quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [The vast majority of local people will neither know all of the initiatives nor have any perception that the individual elements are beginning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-burrell/the-vast-majority-of-local-people-will-neither-know-all-of-the/) [Paul Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-burrell/) > [The search for truth is a cooperative, unending endeavor. We can, and should, engage in it to the extent we can and encourage others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-search-for-truth-is-a-cooperative-unending-endeavor-we-can-and/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [We embark unhesitatingly on the path, in a direction that is absolutely right and urgent, supported by everyone, in the knowledge that this path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yehudi-menuhin/we-embark-unhesitatingly-on-the-path-in-a-direction-that-is/) [Yehudi Menuhin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yehudi-menuhin/) > [I want to take initiative; I know my game and I know what I need to do to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-tiafoe/i-want-to-take-initiative-i-know-my-game-and-i-know-what-i-need-to-do/) [Frances Tiafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-tiafoe/) > [Continue to witness to the Gospel every day and commit yourselves generously in the next missionary initiatives in the Diocese of Rome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/continue-to-witness-to-the-gospel-every-day-and-commit-yourselves/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [“Be the Inviter “When I began my speaking career, I designed and delivered motivational programs for children teaching them success skills for life. Before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/be-the-inviter-when-i-began-my-speaking-career-i-designed-and/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [It is rather unusual for Italy to be at the forefront of pro-market initiatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-monti/it-is-rather-unusual-for-italy-to-be-at-the-forefront-of-pro-market/) [Mario Monti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-monti/) > [“Don’t simply exist in this world, but grasp life’s potential by the jacket. Dare it to be all it can. Make life historical—a gripping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-goodrich/don-t-simply-exist-in-this-world-but-grasp-life-s-potential-by-the/) [Richelle Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-goodrich/) > [By declaring yourself a leader, you're taking initiative and moving into a role of influence in a lively and vital network that's changing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/by-declaring-yourself-a-leader-you-re-taking-initiative-and-moving/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [We are entering an era in which national government, instead of directing, enables powerful regional and local initiatives to work, where Britain becomes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-are-entering-an-era-in-which-national-government-instead-of/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [Initiative is at the heart of manhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rainey/initiative-is-at-the-heart-of-manhood/) [Dennis Rainey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rainey/) > [Football is a personal interest which has been turned into a philanthropic initiative directed at encouraging social cohesion during the difficult process of African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-hussein-al-amoudi/football-is-a-personal-interest-which-has-been-turned-into-a/) Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi > [Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/initiative-is-doing-the-right-thing-without-being-told/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) [Browse all 777 Initiative quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initiative/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I’ve found that often the quality you see in successful people is knowing when to take the initiative, and being quick about it.  I’ve never sat around, waiting for someone to tell me to take charge.  I just do it.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "R.K. 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