--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Starting isn’t like that. Starting…" description: "\"“Starting isn’t like that. Starting something is not an event; it’s a series of events. You decide to walk to Cleveland. So you take a first step in th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/619/seth-godin-152_end-of-the-day_starting-isn-t-like-that-starting-someth_1516117.png" --- # Starting isn’t like that. Starting something is not an… ![“Starting isn’t like that. Starting something is not an event; it’s a series of events. You decide to walk to Cleveland. So you take a first step in the right direction. That’s starting. You spend the rest of the day walking toward Cleveland, one step at a time, picking your feet up and putting…” quote by Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/619/seth-godin-152_end-of-the-day_starting-isn-t-like-that-starting-someth_1516117.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/619/seth-godin-152_end-of-the-day_starting-isn-t-like-that-starting-someth_1516117.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/619/seth-godin-152_end-of-the-day_starting-isn-t-like-that-starting-someth_1516117.png) > ““Starting isn’t like that. Starting something is not an event; it’s a series of events. You decide to walk to Cleveland. So you take a first step in the right direction. That’s starting. You spend the rest of the day walking toward Cleveland, one step at a time, picking your feet up and putting them down. At the end of the day, twenty miles later, you stop at a hotel. And what happens the next morning? Either you quit the project or you start again, walking to Cleveland. In fact, every step is a new beginning. Sure, you’re closer than you were yesterday or last week, but you’re still...”” [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Starting is a continuous process of incremental actions toward a goal, not a single event. Each step counts as a new beginning, moving you closer over time. **In simple terms:** Progress is made step by step, not by one big moment. Key Takeaway Embrace each small action as a fresh start. Themes perseverance goal setting habit formation Mood determined optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - project planning - personal fitness - learning a new skill - travel itineraries Key Concepts incremental progress momentum resilience Questions to Reflect On - What small step can you take today toward your goal? - How do you keep momentum after a setback? A Different Perspective Each step still requires effort and may face setbacks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cleveland Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cleveland-step-5593031/) [End of the day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-day/) [Every step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-step/) [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [Kindlehighlight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindlehighlight/) [Like Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-starting-283009/) [New beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-beginning/) [Right direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-direction/) [Start Walking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-walking/) [Walk Cleveland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walk-cleveland-5593032/) [Walking Cleveland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walking-cleveland-5593033/) ## Related quotes > [“One thing that most comic artists avoid is showing decisions. They show action, sure, and they show results, but they don’t show (because it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/one-thing-that-most-comic-artists-avoid-is-showing-decisions-they/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“This is an addictive pastime. You take no real risk, touch the world, and it responds. Repeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/this-is-an-addictive-pastime-you-take-no-real-risk-touch-the-world/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“Initiative and starting are about neither of these. They are about “let’s see” and “try.” If there’s no clear right answer, perhaps the thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/initiative-and-starting-are-about-neither-of-these-they-are-about-let/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“I define anxiety as experiencing failure in advance…and if you have anxiety about initiating a project, then of course you will associate risk with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/i-define-anxiety-as-experiencing-failure-in-advance-and-if-you-have/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth.   Not going all the way, and not starting.”   Siddhrtha Gautama”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/there-are-two-mistakes-one-can-make-along-the-road-to-truth-not-going/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“People have come to the erroneous conclusion that if they’re not willing to start something separate, world-changing, and risky, they have no business starting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/people-have-come-to-the-erroneous-conclusion-that-if-they-re-not/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“The challenge, it turns out, isn’t in perfecting your ability to know when to start and when to stand by. The challenge is getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-challenge-it-turns-out-isn-t-in-perfecting-your-ability-to-know/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Each project, I suffer like I'm starting over again in life. There's a lot of healthy insecurity that fuels this stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/each-project-i-suffer-like-i-m-starting-over-again-in-life-there-s-a/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [It is so weird to be on this side of that, because when you're starting out, and it seems like you're starting out for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-odenkirk/it-is-so-weird-to-be-on-this-side-of-that-because-when-you-re/) [Bob Odenkirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-odenkirk/) > [So it's like starting over again, but I look forward to the challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-majors/so-it-s-like-starting-over-again-but-i-look-forward-to-the-challenge/) [Lee Majors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-majors/) > [Think of your body like a car: a glass of water first thing in the morning is like starting your engine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wicks/think-of-your-body-like-a-car-a-glass-of-water-first-thing-in-the/) [Joe Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wicks/) > [I don't like it if I'm not part of the starting 11.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-robertson/i-don-t-like-it-if-i-m-not-part-of-the-starting-11/) [Andrew Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-robertson/) > [I'm starting to like you less... because I'm starting to love you more...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-starting-to-like-you-less-because-i-m-starting-to-love-you-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [With the solo stuff, it's like starting over from scratch. It's rolling up your sleeves and getting down to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-wilson/with-the-solo-stuff-it-s-like-starting-over-from-scratch-it-s-rolling/) [Cindy Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-wilson/) > [It feels like I'm starting to come into my own in terms of where I want to go artistically, toward more complicated, interesting characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-alba/it-feels-like-i-m-starting-to-come-into-my-own-in-terms-of-where-i/) [Jessica Alba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-alba/) ## More by Seth Godin > [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [The easier it is to quantify, the less it's worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-easier-it-is-to-quantify-the-less-it-s-worth/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Developing expertise or assets that are not easily copied is essential; otherwise you're just a middleman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/developing-expertise-or-assets-that-are-not-easily-copied-is/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Leadership is a choice. 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Well, perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-next-thing-you-do-today-will-be-the-most-important-thing-on-your/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [I look at Starbucks, Howard Schultz has made many brilliant decisions, and one of the things that they did was they invented the third…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/i-look-at-starbucks-howard-schultz-has-made-many-brilliant-decisions/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Be relentlessly generous, without focusing on when it will come back to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/be-relentlessly-generous-without-focusing-on-when-it-will-come-back/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [The public square is more public than ever, but minds are rarely changed in 140 character bursts and by selfies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-public-square-is-more-public-than-ever-but-minds-are-rarely/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Making an average pitch to average people, or having an average gala for average people isn't going to scale anymore. You've got to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/making-an-average-pitch-to-average-people-or-having-an-average-gala/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Our job is to make change. Our job is to connect to people, to interact with them in a way that leaves them better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/our-job-is-to-make-change-our-job-is-to-connect-to-people-to-interact/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“Life is actually far better than it is in the movies. And it takes longer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/life-is-actually-far-better-than-it-is-in-the-movies-and-it-takes/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [I don't think there's a shortage of remarkable ideas. I think your business has plenty of great opportunities to do great things. Nope, what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-shortage-of-remarkable-ideas-i-think-your/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [The mirror we hold up to the person next to us is one of the most important pictures she will ever see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-mirror-we-hold-up-to-the-person-next-to-us-is-one-of-the-most/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [If you're a marketer who doesn't know how to invent, design, influence, adapt, and ultimately discard products, then you're no longer a marketer. You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/if-you-re-a-marketer-who-doesn-t-know-how-to-invent-design-influence/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) [Explore all 1,110 Seth Godin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) ## More End of the day quotes > [Care less about what other people think because at the end of the day, everyone is so worried about themselves & how they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-oakley/care-less-about-what-other-people-think-because-at-the-end-of-the-day/) [Tyler Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-oakley/) > [Obviously, I want to win, but at the same time, at the end of the day, it's a game and that's what I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-rendon/obviously-i-want-to-win-but-at-the-same-time-at-the-end-of-the-day-it/) [Anthony Rendon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-rendon/) > [At the end of the day, the key to happiness is taking ultimate responsibility for your reactions to all of your experiences - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yehuda-berg/at-the-end-of-the-day-the-key-to-happiness-is-taking-ultimate/) [Yehuda Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yehuda-berg/) > [I'm a humanist at heart: at the end of the day, we are all human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chet-faker/i-m-a-humanist-at-heart-at-the-end-of-the-day-we-are-all-human-beings/) [Chet Faker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chet-faker/) > [At the end of the day, winning games is the only thing that matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/at-the-end-of-the-day-winning-games-is-the-only-thing-that-matters/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [You can hurt me a million times but at the end of the day I still love you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-nicole-haynes/you-can-hurt-me-a-million-times-but-at-the-end-of-the-day-i-still/) [Samantha Nicole Haynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-nicole-haynes/) > [Trying to find this industry's tendency to celebrate the physical is a waste of time. So I'm happy to play the game. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-wilde/trying-to-find-this-industry-s-tendency-to-celebrate-the-physical-is/) [Olivia Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-wilde/) > [At the end of the day, the players and the coach have to talk - that's what consolidates the relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-ramos/at-the-end-of-the-day-the-players-and-the-coach-have-to-talk-that-s/) [Sergio Ramos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-ramos/) > [Knowing at the end of the day you get to go home and you can work on your own project is super rewarding as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-keenan-bolger/knowing-at-the-end-of-the-day-you-get-to-go-home-and-you-can-work-on/) [Andrew Keenan-Bolger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-keenan-bolger/) > [I can picture certain things in my mind, while writing the script, but then I can also tell that everyone else might be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-zombie/i-can-picture-certain-things-in-my-mind-while-writing-the-script-but/) [Rob Zombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-zombie/) > [The bottom line, in the professional level, no matter where you go, there's going to be competition. That's what it is. At the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-tolzien/the-bottom-line-in-the-professional-level-no-matter-where-you-go/) [Scott Tolzien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-tolzien/) > [At the end of the day, if you don't identify with the main characters, no television show will work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiro-murai/at-the-end-of-the-day-if-you-don-t-identify-with-the-main-characters/) [Hiro Murai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiro-murai/) > [At the end of the day, I'm a guy that stays in my own lane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-jackson/at-the-end-of-the-day-i-m-a-guy-that-stays-in-my-own-lane/) [Mark Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-jackson/) > [At the end of the day, football is just part of me, it's my love, my passion and my drive. But I understand at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/micah-parsons/at-the-end-of-the-day-football-is-just-part-of-me-it-s-my-love-my/) [Micah Parsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/micah-parsons/) > [When I saw him I thought I could curl up inside him and go to sleep and never wake up." "Men are no good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/when-i-saw-him-i-thought-i-could-curl-up-inside-him-and-go-to-sleep/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) [Browse all 3,685 End of the day quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-day/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Starting isn’t like that. Starting something is not an event; it’s a series of events. You decide to walk to Cleveland. So you take a first step in the right direction. That’s starting. 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