---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The imagination is how things get done…"
description: "\"The imagination is how things get done. You have to cultivate creativity.\" — Russell Simmons"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/russell-simmons-900_creativity_the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-y_385513.png"
---

#  The imagination is how things get done. You have to…

![“The imagination is how things get done. You have to cultivate creativity.” quote by Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/russell-simmons-900_creativity_the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-y_385513.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/russell-simmons-900_creativity_the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-y_385513.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/russell-simmons-900_creativity_the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-y_385513.png)

> “The imagination is how things get done. You have to cultivate creativity.”

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Creativity is the engine of achievement; nurturing imagination is essential for turning ideas into reality.

**In simple terms:** Imagination drives success; cultivate it.

Key Takeaway

Practice creative habits daily.

Themes

creativity innovation achievement

Mood

motivational pragmatic

Type

inspirational practical

When to use this quote

- Brainstorming sessions
- Design thinking workshops
- Artistic pursuits
- Entrepreneurial ventures

Key Concepts

Imagination Cultivation Problem solving

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you foster imagination?
- What habits boost creative output?

A Different Perspective

Creative ideas need discipline to materialize.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/)

## Related quotes

> [I had a normal childhood where I was able to cultivate my own creativity, and I don't think I would have been ready for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-bomer/i-had-a-normal-childhood-where-i-was-able-to-cultivate-my-own/)

[Matt Bomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-bomer/)

> [I fell in love with art and music and dance and acting and how all those things can cultivate something really special and unique…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-fisher/i-fell-in-love-with-art-and-music-and-dance-and-acting-and-how-all/)

[Jordan Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-fisher/)

> [“We must all cultivate our own creativity because we each have a God-given imagination that has the ability to bless generations and eternity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alisa-hope-wagner/we-must-all-cultivate-our-own-creativity-because-we-each-have-a-god/)

[Alisa Hope Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alisa-hope-wagner/)

> [Cleanliness and order are not matters of instinct; they are matters of education, and like most great things, you must cultivate a taste for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/cleanliness-and-order-are-not-matters-of-instinct-they-are-matters-of/)

[Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/)

> [Imagination is the will of things. . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stevens/imagination-is-the-will-of-things/)

[Wallace Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stevens/)

> [The English have no imagination: and yet they do show imagination in two things - two only. In the evening-clothes worn by old ladies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalia-ginzburg/the-english-have-no-imagination-and-yet-they-do-show-imagination-in/)

[Natalia Ginzburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalia-ginzburg/)

> [I grew up in this room filled with musical instruments, but most importantly, I had a family who encouraged me to invest in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-collier/i-grew-up-in-this-room-filled-with-musical-instruments-but-most/)

[Jacob Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-collier/)

> [In the world of imagination, all things belong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hugo/in-the-world-of-imagination-all-things-belong/)

[Richard Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hugo/)

> [“Only in relation to our imagination can things be called beautiful or ugly, well-ordered or confused”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/only-in-relation-to-our-imagination-can-things-be-called-beautiful-or/)

[Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/)

> [“Without imagination, things were only as they appeared – and that was blindness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-renshaw/without-imagination-things-were-only-as-they-appeared-and-that-was/)

[Jonathan Renshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-renshaw/)

> [I'm born into the cycle of giving that we're all born into, and I recognize it. So just because something is a good business,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/i-m-born-into-the-cycle-of-giving-that-we-re-all-born-into-and-i/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [“If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/if-you-can-imagine-it-you-can-create-it-if-you-can-dream-it-you-can/)

[William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/)

> [If you've got creativity, imagination, and intelligence, and you want to be hypnotised, then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-barry/if-you-ve-got-creativity-imagination-and-intelligence-and-you-want-to/)

[Keith Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-barry/)

> [Jonah Lehrer is one of the most talented explainers of science that we’ve got. What a pleasure it is to follow his investigation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/jonah-lehrer-is-one-of-the-most-talented-explainers-of-science-that/)

[Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/)

> [A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/a-rock-pile-ceases-to-be-a-rock-pile-the-moment-a-single-man/)

[Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/)

## More by Russell Simmons

> [I'm born into the cycle of giving that we're all born into, and I recognize it. So just because something is a good business,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/i-m-born-into-the-cycle-of-giving-that-we-re-all-born-into-and-i/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [Compassion is the ultimate expression of your highest self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/compassion-is-the-ultimate-expression-of-your-highest-self/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [If you don't break a hole through the brick wall, don't just start digging a new hole. Keep going until you break through that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/if-you-don-t-break-a-hole-through-the-brick-wall-don-t-just-start/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [A large portion of American citizens, especially people of color, have lost confidence in our criminal justice system. Many have called for appointing special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/a-large-portion-of-american-citizens-especially-people-of-color-have/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [There's one overriding issue, namely, that we live in a police state so long as the police get to police themselves. And that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/there-s-one-overriding-issue-namely-that-we-live-in-a-police-state-so/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [I used to think anxiety and insomnia drove me to success, but it was the stillness that let me be good at anything. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/i-used-to-think-anxiety-and-insomnia-drove-me-to-success-but-it-was/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [ \[Performing artists\] are making greater percentages. People are going to live events more and it's a big success story for everyone - except the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/performing-artists-are-making-greater-percentages-people-are-going-to/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [I think I will always have a connection to young people, to try to bring their voices to the polls, bring their voices wherever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/i-think-i-will-always-have-a-connection-to-young-people-to-try-to/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [The best defense for any group of people is what we do to defend other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/the-best-defense-for-any-group-of-people-is-what-we-do-to-defend/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [You have to be present, awake and happy now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/you-have-to-be-present-awake-and-happy-now/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [Culture in America and everywhere else comes from the suffering, from those who don't want the old ways. They want to bring in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/culture-in-america-and-everywhere-else-comes-from-the-suffering-from/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [I try to use my voice. I know that celebrity is valuable, and people do listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/i-try-to-use-my-voice-i-know-that-celebrity-is-valuable-and-people-do/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [They're lacking culture in Hollywood. That gives me a big up, right? I know something about pop culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/they-re-lacking-culture-in-hollywood-that-gives-me-a-big-up-right-i/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [Meditation helps everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/meditation-helps-everything/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [If you talk about the prison-industrial complex, I've fought against the prison-industrial complex when I called for a repeal of the Rockefeller drug laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/if-you-talk-about-the-prison-industrial-complex-i-ve-fought-against/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

[Explore all 335 Russell Simmons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

## More Creativity quotes

> [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/)

[Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/)

> [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [“The Soviet “creative intelligentsia” - that is, people accustomed to thinking one thing, saying another and doing a third - is as a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-amalrik/the-soviet-creative-intelligentsia-that-is-people-accustomed-to/)

Andrei Amalrik

> [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/)

[John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/)

> [A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/a-rock-pile-ceases-to-be-a-rock-pile-the-moment-a-single-man/)

[Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/)

> [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/)

> [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [“You are the end of beauty and creativity one must have created so far.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/you-are-the-end-of-beauty-and-creativity-one-must-have-created-so-far/)

[M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/)

> [Jonah Lehrer is one of the most talented explainers of science that we’ve got. What a pleasure it is to follow his investigation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/jonah-lehrer-is-one-of-the-most-talented-explainers-of-science-that/)

[Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/)

> [If you've got creativity, imagination, and intelligence, and you want to be hypnotised, then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-barry/if-you-ve-got-creativity-imagination-and-intelligence-and-you-want-to/)

[Keith Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-barry/)

> [“I believe in magic. As a writer, I create them on blank paper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonnia-kemmer/i-believe-in-magic-as-a-writer-i-create-them-on-blank-paper/)

[Sonnia Kemmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonnia-kemmer/)

> [Creativity is like chasing chickens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-niemann/creativity-is-like-chasing-chickens/)

Christoph Niemann

> [It is proposed that a form of free dialogue may well be one of the most effective ways of investigating the crisis which faces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bohm/it-is-proposed-that-a-form-of-free-dialogue-may-well-be-one-of-the/)

[David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bohm/)

> [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/)

[Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/)

> [Create an environment for people to fail, to learn, and to grow. Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 13,625 Creativity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The imagination is how things get done. You have to cultivate creativity.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Russell Simmons"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-you-have-to-cultivate/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Creativity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-you-have-to-cultivate/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/russell-simmons-900_creativity_the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-y_385513.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/russell-simmons-900_creativity_the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-y_385513.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/russell-simmons-900_creativity_the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-y_385513.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The imagination is how things get done. You have to cultivate creativity.” — Russell Simmons",
                "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": "Russell Simmons",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The imagination is how things get...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-you-have-to-cultivate/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/the-imagination-is-how-things-get-done-you-have-to-cultivate/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
