--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a big difference between not…" description: "\"There's a big difference between not settling and not starting.\" — Seth Godin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/seth-godin-152_big-difference_there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-set_3064280.png" --- # There's a big difference between not settling and not… ![“There's a big difference between not settling and not starting.” quote by Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/seth-godin-152_big-difference_there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-set_3064280.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/seth-godin-152_big-difference_there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-set_3064280.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/seth-godin-152_big-difference_there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-set_3064280.png) > “There's a big difference between not settling and not starting.” [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. Distinguishes between refusing to settle for mediocrity and never beginning a venture. **In simple terms:** Not settling differs from never starting. Key Takeaway Take the first step, even if imperfect. Themes motivation action risk growth Mood determined inspired Type advice motivational When to use this quote - starting a business - personal projects - career change - creative pursuits Key Concepts Entrepreneurship psychology decision making Questions to Reflect On - What holds you back from starting? - How can you balance ambition with realistic expectations? A Different Perspective Fear of failure can paralyze; action may lead to wasted effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-difference/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Difference Settling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difference-settling-2151429/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Not settling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-settling/) [Settling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/settling/) [Settling Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/settling-starting-5154006/) [Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting/) ## Related quotes > [“That’s not making love; it’s getting laid. There’s a world of difference between the two. Settling for less is cheating yourself.” He looked at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-attalla/that-s-not-making-love-it-s-getting-laid-there-s-a-world-of/) [Kat Attalla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-attalla/) > [Theres a big difference between settling, and being truly happy. Life is short, never settle for less than you deserve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/theres-a-big-difference-between-settling-and-being-truly-happy-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Here's a glorious thought: You don't have to settle. Ever. In life, in love, in your career…ANYWHERE!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/here-s-a-glorious-thought-you-don-t-have-to-settle-ever-in-life-in/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [Single \|sin-gle\| (adjective) - Too fabulous to settle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/single-sin-gle-adjective-too-fabulous-to-settle/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [“Next time you hit a speed bump otherwise known as the age-old question “Why are you still single?” look ’em in the eye and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/next-time-you-hit-a-speed-bump-otherwise-known-as-the-age-old/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [“When you refuse to settle for less than the best...the best tends to track you down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/when-you-refuse-to-settle-for-less-than-the-best-the-best-tends-to/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [“Happily Single is holding out for the best and letting go of the rest. It’s saying “I will and I can” to YOURSELF before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/happily-single-is-holding-out-for-the-best-and-letting-go-of-the-rest/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [There's a big difference between: Who we love, who we settle for and who we're meant for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-a-big-difference-between-who-we-love-who-we-settle-for-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead. This scarcity makes leadership valuable...It's uncomfortable to stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/leadership-is-scarce-because-few-people-are-willing-to-go-through-the-2/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [The big win is when you refuse to settle for average or mediocre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-big-win-is-when-you-refuse-to-settle-for-average-or-mediocre/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [It's time to stop complying with the system and draw your own map. Stop settling for what's good enough and start creating art that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/it-s-time-to-stop-complying-with-the-system-and-draw-your-own-map/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“If a man WANTS to be with you, he will make his actions clear. There won’t be any questions, murkiness, cloudiness, or fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/if-a-man-wants-to-be-with-you-he-will-make-his-actions-clear-there/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [“You don’t need a significant other to lead a significant life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/you-don-t-need-a-significant-other-to-lead-a-significant-life/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [Stop inviting people who don't celebrate you to your party! It's YOUR life - you have the right to be exclusive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-inviting-people-who-don-t-celebrate-you-to-your-party-it-s-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Two things you will never have to chase: True friends & true love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/two-things-you-will-never-have-to-chase-true-friends-true-love/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) ## 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. It's the choice not to do nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/leadership-is-a-choice-it-s-the-choice-not-to-do-nothing/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [The next thing you do today will be the most important thing on your agenda, because, after all, you're doing it next. 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 Big difference quotes > [In a play, you only get one chance, and you have to get it perfect. In a film, you can change and fix it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-hayward/in-a-play-you-only-get-one-chance-and-you-have-to-get-it-perfect-in-a/) [Kara Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-hayward/) > [“there is a big difference between a boy and a man, the level of maturity will tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akinwumi-jarule/there-is-a-big-difference-between-a-boy-and-a-man-the-level-of/) [Akinwumi jarule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akinwumi-jarule/) > [The only difference between me and these people is my place of birth and this is not a big difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-baskerville/the-only-difference-between-me-and-these-people-is-my-place-of-birth/) [Howard Baskerville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-baskerville/) > [“There's a big difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/there-s-a-big-difference-between-knowing-the-name-of-something-and/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [There is this big difference between being depressed and heartbroken...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-this-big-difference-between-being-depressed-and-heartbroken/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You don't have to be religious to hear God, you just have to be willing, and there's a big difference between the two.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karyn-rae/you-don-t-have-to-be-religious-to-hear-god-you-just-have-to-be/) [Karyn Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karyn-rae/) > [There is a big difference between being smart with your money and just being cheap...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-a-big-difference-between-being-smart-with-your-money-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's a big difference between doing the odd gig and actually having a record out and your name being on the ticket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-jackson/there-s-a-big-difference-between-doing-the-odd-gig-and-actually/) [Stevie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-jackson/) > [I don't necessarily notice too much of a change in the sense of the kind of matches that I have in say a Los…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-cole/i-don-t-necessarily-notice-too-much-of-a-change-in-the-sense-of-the/) [Adam Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-cole/) > [Your attitude about who you are and what you have is a very little thing that makes a very big difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/your-attitude-about-who-you-are-and-what-you-have-is-a-very-little/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [“Little touches can make a big difference.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilie-barnes/little-touches-can-make-a-big-difference/) [Emilie Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilie-barnes/) > [“We aren’t rednecks. We’re European. Big difference.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-rojstaczer/we-aren-t-rednecks-we-re-european-big-difference/) [Stuart Rojstaczer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-rojstaczer/) > [Actions speak louder than words. There is a big difference between what people say and what they do. People might tell you they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-osterwalder/actions-speak-louder-than-words-there-is-a-big-difference-between/) [Alexander Osterwalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-osterwalder/) > [We could have done a better job explaining what was in the Affordable Care Act, but when you talk to people and you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-sewell/we-could-have-done-a-better-job-explaining-what-was-in-the-affordable/) [Terri Sewell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-sewell/) > [I didn't retire, I became irrelevant - there is a big difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-drew/i-didn-t-retire-i-became-irrelevant-there-is-a-big-difference/) [Kevin Drew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-drew/) [Browse all 168 Big difference quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-difference/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's a big difference between not settling and not starting.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Seth Godin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-settling-and-not-starting/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Big difference" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-settling-and-not-starting/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/seth-godin-152_big-difference_there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-set_3064280.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/seth-godin-152_big-difference_there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-set_3064280.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/seth-godin-152_big-difference_there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-set_3064280.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There's a big difference between not settling and not starting.” — Seth Godin", "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": "Seth Godin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There's a big difference between not...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-settling-and-not-starting/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/there-s-a-big-difference-between-not-settling-and-not-starting/#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 } } ] } ```