--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a serious sense, wanting to change…" description: "\"In a serious sense, wanting to change something from the past doesn't work for me - change something you don't enjoy now rather than regretting it late..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/rory-mcilroy-10037_change_in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-som_2040509.png" --- # In a serious sense, wanting to change something from the… ![“In a serious sense, wanting to change something from the past doesn't work for me - change something you don't enjoy now rather than regretting it later.” quote by Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/rory-mcilroy-10037_change_in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-som_2040509.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/rory-mcilroy-10037_change_in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-som_2040509.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/rory-mcilroy-10037_change_in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-som_2040509.png) > “In a serious sense, wanting to change something from the past doesn't work for me - change something you don't enjoy now rather than regretting it later.” [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focus on improving current dissatisfaction rather than longing for past changes; present‑focused growth prevents future regret. **In simple terms:** Improve now, not past; avoid regret. Key Takeaway Prioritize present improvements over nostalgic fixes. Themes self‑improvement mindset growth Mood optimistic reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career development - personal habits - skill training Key Concepts present focus regret avoidance Questions to Reflect On - What present habit can replace a past‑focused regret? - How does focusing on now change your motivation? A Different Perspective Past‑oriented thinking can still dominate decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Theres nothing like standing in a place and wanting nothing so much as to change but simply not being able to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/theres-nothing-like-standing-in-a-place-and-wanting-nothing-so-much/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [“Don't hate me for wanting to change the way things are. I believe in you, Callum. You can change the world, I know you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malorie-blackman/don-t-hate-me-for-wanting-to-change-the-way-things-are-i-believe-in/) [Malorie Blackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malorie-blackman/) > [“You're right, wanting change is step one, but step two is taking it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-marion/you-re-right-wanting-change-is-step-one-but-step-two-is-taking-it/) [Isaac Marion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-marion/) > [“You need to go from wanting to change your life to deciding to change your life. If you want to live a life you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-sincero/you-need-to-go-from-wanting-to-change-your-life-to-deciding-to-change/) [Jen Sincero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-sincero/) > [I always have thought that part of being involved with life is the same thing as just wanting to kick it with your friends,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boots-riley/i-always-have-thought-that-part-of-being-involved-with-life-is-the/) [Boots Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boots-riley/) > [True resistance begins with people confronting pain... and wanting to do something to change it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/true-resistance-begins-with-people-confronting-pain-and-wanting-to-do/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [I think living in Israel and wanting to change reality is the best prescription for never-ending writer's block.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etgar-keret/i-think-living-in-israel-and-wanting-to-change-reality-is-the-best/) [Etgar Keret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etgar-keret/) > [I think this is when most people give up on their stories. They come out of college wanting to change the world, wanting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/i-think-this-is-when-most-people-give-up-on-their-stories-they-come/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help and fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself. And that's a lot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-reiner/everybody-talks-about-wanting-to-change-things-and-help-and-fix-but-2/) [Rob Reiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-reiner/) > [“Dare to change the world There is nothing quixotic or romantic in wanting to change the world. It is possible. It is the age-old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gioconda-belli/dare-to-change-the-world-there-is-nothing-quixotic-or-romantic-in/) [Gioconda Belli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gioconda-belli/) > [There is nothing quixotic or romantic in wanting to change the world. It is possible. It is the age-old vocation of all humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gioconda-belli/there-is-nothing-quixotic-or-romantic-in-wanting-to-change-the-world/) [Gioconda Belli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gioconda-belli/) > [Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help and fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself. And that's a lot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-reiner/everybody-talks-about-wanting-to-change-things-and-help-and-fix-but/) [Rob Reiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-reiner/) > [“I started off wanting to change the world, now I'm just hoping the world doesn't change me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-mileur/i-started-off-wanting-to-change-the-world-now-i-m-just-hoping-the/) Ray Mileur > [“That's all anybody is-themselves. People all the time wanting to change that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-woodson/that-s-all-anybody-is-themselves-people-all-the-time-wanting-to/) [Jacqueline Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-woodson/) > [I constantly have little panic attacks of wanting to change something on a production level, but I let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-kurstin/i-constantly-have-little-panic-attacks-of-wanting-to-change-something/) [Greg Kurstin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-kurstin/) ## More by Rory McIlroy > [It's a great feeling to know that I've played the best golf throughout the season of any of the guys for the second time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/it-s-a-great-feeling-to-know-that-i-ve-played-the-best-golf/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [I receive huge support from Irish and British sports fans alike and it is greatly appreciated. Likewise I feel I have a great affinity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-receive-huge-support-from-irish-and-british-sports-fans-alike-and/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [The Open is the one that we all want and strive for and to be able to hold this Claret Jug is an incredible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/the-open-is-the-one-that-we-all-want-and-strive-for-and-to-be-able-to/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [I was detained a couple of times but that was for not handing in homework because I was playing golf or not present because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-was-detained-a-couple-of-times-but-that-was-for-not-handing-in/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [The great thing about my two lives is I love them both. I'm very ambitious and nothing gets in the way of me practising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/the-great-thing-about-my-two-lives-is-i-love-them-both-i-m-very/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [You know I need that cockiness, the self-belief, arrogance, swagger, whatever you want to call it, I need that on the golf course to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/you-know-i-need-that-cockiness-the-self-belief-arrogance-swagger/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [My parent are very proud, but Dad ripped into me for throwing a club on the 11th. He's happy with the way I played,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/my-parent-are-very-proud-but-dad-ripped-into-me-for-throwing-a-club/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [I don't really remember, but from about the age of five I told anyone who would listen that I was going to be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-don-t-really-remember-but-from-about-the-age-of-five-i-told-anyone/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [I wish to clarify that I have absolutely not made a decision regarding my participation in the next Olympics. On a personal level, playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-wish-to-clarify-that-i-have-absolutely-not-made-a-decision/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [On that Sunday of the Masters I remember turning on ESPN to find people talking about me. I switched over to the Golf Channel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/on-that-sunday-of-the-masters-i-remember-turning-on-espn-to-find/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [Since turning professional at 18, I have travelled the world playing the game that I love and consider myself a global player. As the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/since-turning-professional-at-18-i-have-travelled-the-world-playing/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [I used to not really like going to the gym when I was playing tournaments because I'd be sore and stiff. But the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-used-to-not-really-like-going-to-the-gym-when-i-was-playing/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [I started to really believe in myself, and my abilities, when I won the World Under-10 championship in Doral, Florida. I was nine and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-started-to-really-believe-in-myself-and-my-abilities-when-i-won-the/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [I've had support from all sides, from people who call themselves Irish, from Northern Irish, to the whole of the UK, to people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-ve-had-support-from-all-sides-from-people-who-call-themselves-irish/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [With success comes expectation and I know the expectation on me is going to be pretty high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/with-success-comes-expectation-and-i-know-the-expectation-on-me-is/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) [Explore all 68 Rory McIlroy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) ## 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 > [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": "In a serious sense, wanting to change something from the past doesn't work for me - change something you don't enjoy now rather than regretting it later.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rory McIlroy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-something-from-the-past-doesn-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-something-from-the-past-doesn-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/rory-mcilroy-10037_change_in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-som_2040509.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/rory-mcilroy-10037_change_in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-som_2040509.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/rory-mcilroy-10037_change_in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-som_2040509.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In a serious sense, wanting to change something from the past doesn't work for me - change something you…” — Rory McIlroy", "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": "Rory McIlroy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In a serious sense, wanting to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-something-from-the-past-doesn-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/in-a-serious-sense-wanting-to-change-something-from-the-past-doesn-t/#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 } } ] } ```