--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only way to permanently install a new…" description: "\"The only way to permanently install a new habit is to direct so much energy toward it that the old one slips away like an unwelcome house guest.\" — Rob..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/robin-sharma-453_direct_the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-ne_1512973.jpg" --- # The only way to permanently install a new habit is to… ![“The only way to permanently install a new habit is to direct so much energy toward it that the old one slips away like an unwelcome house guest.” quote by Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/robin-sharma-453_direct_the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-ne_1512973.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/robin-sharma-453_direct_the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-ne_1512973.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/robin-sharma-453_direct_the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-ne_1512973.jpg) > “The only way to permanently install a new habit is to direct so much energy toward it that the old one slips away like an unwelcome house guest.” [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Habit formation requires intense focus on the new behavior until the old one naturally fades away. **In simple terms:** Focus on new habit until old one disappears. Key Takeaway Channel energy into new habits. Themes self‑improvement habit formation focus Mood motivational determined Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - personal development - goal setting - daily routines Key Concepts psychology behavior change Questions to Reflect On - What habit are you trying to replace? - How can you increase focus on the new habit? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [House guests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/house-guests/) [New habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-habits/) ## Related quotes > [There is nothing that overwhelms the senses quite like an unwelcome silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-mcdevitt/there-is-nothing-that-overwhelms-the-senses-quite-like-an-unwelcome/) [Jack McDevitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-mcdevitt/) > [“The silence was like an unwelcome child, pulling at our hair, running its fingers over our lips.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-zhang/the-silence-was-like-an-unwelcome-child-pulling-at-our-hair-running/) [Kat Zhang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-zhang/) > [The future comes like an unwelcome guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-gosse/the-future-comes-like-an-unwelcome-guest/) [Edmund Gosse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-gosse/) > [“...with the company of just myself, my thoughts presented themselves like unwelcome houseguests.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-grover-swank/with-the-company-of-just-myself-my-thoughts-presented-themselves-like/) [Denise Grover Swank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-grover-swank/) > [HOSPITALITY, n. The virtue which induces us to feed and lodge certain persons who are not in need of food and lodging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hospitality-n-the-virtue-which-induces-us-to-feed-and-lodge-certain/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [House guests should be regarded as perishables: Leave them out too long and they go bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/house-guests-should-be-regarded-as-perishables-leave-them-out-too/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Every house where love abides And friendship is a guest, Is surely home, and home sweet home For there the heart can rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/every-house-where-love-abides-and-friendship-is-a-guest-is-surely/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/the-dark-thought-the-shame-the-malice-meet-them-at-the-door-laughing/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [There's such a gulf between yourself and who you were then, but people speak to that other person and it answers; it's like having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/there-s-such-a-gulf-between-yourself-and-who-you-were-then-but-people/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [:) Inflation were the first to say why not come to my house guests! Now let's say, why guests cometo my house! Really have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/inflation-were-the-first-to-say-why-not-come-to-my-house-guests-now/) Mak\_786 > [This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. Welcome and entertain them all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/this-being-human-is-a-guest-house-every-morning-a-new-arrival-welcome/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [None of my songs are written 'about' someone or something, they all just sort of tumble out unannounced, like the worst kind of house…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/none-of-my-songs-are-written-about-someone-or-something-they-all-just/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [Fish and visitors stink in three days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/fish-and-visitors-stink-in-three-days/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [House guests (I don't care who they are, how much I like them, or how long it's been since I last saw them) are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-kaufman/house-guests-i-don-t-care-who-they-are-how-much-i-like-them-or-how/) [Margo Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-kaufman/) > [We dare not trust our wit for making our house pleasant to our friend, so we buy ice cream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-dare-not-trust-our-wit-for-making-our-house-pleasant-to-our-friend/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Robin Sharma > [You don't get lucky. You create lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-don-t-get-lucky-you-create-lucky/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [The moment you conquer one fear is the minute you conquer many fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-moment-you-conquer-one-fear-is-the-minute-you-conquer-many-fears/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [You'll know you're amazing when you get devoted to making other people amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-ll-know-you-re-amazing-when-you-get-devoted-to-making-other/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Just because you couldn't do it yesterday doesn't mean you can't do it today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/just-because-you-couldn-t-do-it-yesterday-doesn-t-mean-you-can-t-do/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [I promise you this: at the end of your days, you will discover that the things you now perceive to be the big things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/i-promise-you-this-at-the-end-of-your-days-you-will-discover-that-the/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Doing great things for others is an awesome gift to give yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/doing-great-things-for-others-is-an-awesome-gift-to-give-yourself/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [What you resist will persist; what you befriend, you will transcend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/what-you-resist-will-persist-what-you-befriend-you-will-transcend/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [The ordinary focus on what they're getting. The extraordinary think about who they're becoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-ordinary-focus-on-what-they-re-getting-the-extraordinary-think/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [“As you live your day so you craft your life. Just take care of your days and a great life will take care of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/as-you-live-your-day-so-you-craft-your-life-just-take-care-of-your/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Discipline is built by consistently performing small acts of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/discipline-is-built-by-consistently-performing-small-acts-of-courage/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Understand that a problem is only a problem if you choose to view it as a problem (vs. an opportunity).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/understand-that-a-problem-is-only-a-problem-if-you-choose-to-view-it/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Being scared is part of being alive. Accept it. Walk through it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/being-scared-is-part-of-being-alive-accept-it-walk-through-it/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [To achieve the impossible, you need to first develop the mindset that it's probable. Please don't allow the current limits of your life define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/to-achieve-the-impossible-you-need-to-first-develop-the-mindset-that/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [First of all, begin to live out of the glory of your imagination, not your memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/first-of-all-begin-to-live-out-of-the-glory-of-your-imagination-not/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [The project you are most resisting carries your greatest growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-project-you-are-most-resisting-carries-your-greatest-growth/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) [Explore all 543 Robin Sharma quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) ## More Direct quotes > [One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-deepest-and-strangest-of-all-human-moods-is-the-mood-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ford/anybody-can-direct-a-picture-once-they-know-the-fundamentals/) [John Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ford/) > [The method of magnitude estimation provided a direct measure of sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-smith-stevens/the-method-of-magnitude-estimation-provided-a-direct-measure-of/) Stanley Smith Stevens > [A place has almost the shyness of a person, with strangers; and its secret is not to be surprised by a too direct interrogation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/a-place-has-almost-the-shyness-of-a-person-with-strangers-and-its/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [The prediction of nuclear winter is drawn not, of course, from any direct experience with the consequences of global nuclear war, but rather from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-prediction-of-nuclear-winter-is-drawn-not-of-course-from-any/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [I'm currently trying to direct my own material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-skerritt/i-m-currently-trying-to-direct-my-own-material/) [Tom Skerritt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-skerritt/) > [By the time you get into other kinds of music - R&B, country, or whatever - it becomes something that's romantic. It becomes something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/by-the-time-you-get-into-other-kinds-of-music-r-b-country-or-whatever/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [If you take all the food aid, America is by far the most generous country. If you take the direct aid, we're very generous.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-you-take-all-the-food-aid-america-is-by-far-the-most-generous/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-trejo/i-understand-the-formula-that-producers-hire-directors-and-directors/) [Danny Trejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-trejo/) > [They are the gateway for our modern esthetic development, the prophets of the new time. They are most of all, the primitives of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/they-are-the-gateway-for-our-modern-esthetic-development-the-prophets/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [I'm too direct and too unsparingly impatient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-maclaine/i-m-too-direct-and-too-unsparingly-impatient/) [Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-maclaine/) > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. In the 1950s they actually got the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/this-separation-was-absolute-in-our-original-republic-but-the-sky/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Violence is what people do when they run out of good ideas. It's attractive because it's simple, it's direct, it's almost always available as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-s-a-corey/violence-is-what-people-do-when-they-run-out-of-good-ideas-it-s/) [James S.A. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-s-a-corey/) Browse all 3,391 Direct quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The only way to permanently install a new habit is to direct so much energy toward it that the old one slips away like an unwelcome house guest.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robin Sharma" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-new-habit-is-to-direct-so-much/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Direct" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-new-habit-is-to-direct-so-much/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/robin-sharma-453_direct_the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-ne_1512973.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/robin-sharma-453_direct_the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-ne_1512973.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/robin-sharma-453_direct_the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-ne_1512973.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The only way to permanently install a new habit is to direct so much energy toward it that the old one slips…” — Robin Sharma", "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": "Robin Sharma", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The only way to permanently install...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-new-habit-is-to-direct-so-much/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-only-way-to-permanently-install-a-new-habit-is-to-direct-so-much/#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 } } ] } ```