---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: During the first few minutes in lift-off…"
description: "\"During the first few minutes in lift-off, the astronauts were strictly controlled and were powerfully buffeted by the forces of nature struggling to ke..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c83/stephen-covey-339_alarms_during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off_803023.jpg"
---

#  During the first few minutes in lift-off, the astronauts…

![“During the first few minutes in lift-off, the astronauts were strictly controlled and were powerfully buffeted by the forces of nature struggling to keep them on earth. This is somewhat comparable to the pull of the flesh when our alarm goes off early in the morning. Unless we put &quot;mind over…” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c83/stephen-covey-339_alarms_during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off_803023.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c83/stephen-covey-339_alarms_during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off_803023.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c83/stephen-covey-339_alarms_during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off_803023.jpg)

> “During the first few minutes in lift-off, the astronauts were strictly controlled and were powerfully buffeted by the forces of nature struggling to keep them on earth. This is somewhat comparable to the pull of the flesh when our alarm goes off early in the morning. Unless we put "mind over mattress" and carry out the resolves made the night before, we will experience our first defeat that day. Not sufficient to finish. Mission aborted.”

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

## About This Quote

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

Early morning discipline determines daily success; without mental resolve, we fail before starting.

**In simple terms:** Morning resolve prevents early defeat.

Key Takeaway

Commit to mental discipline each morning.

Themes

discipline self‑control habit formation

Mood

determined reflective

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- morning routine
- exercise
- study
- work tasks

Key Concepts

psychology motivation willpower

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you strengthen mental resolve before waking?
- What small habit can replace the “alarm” feeling?

A Different Perspective

Mind over mattress may be hard when fatigue is strong.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Astronaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronaut/) [Astronauts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronauts/) [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Forces of nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forces-of-nature/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [Resolve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolve/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/)

## Related quotes

> [“The joy of victory isn't nearly as strong as the despair you experience in defeat, and those happy feelings after winning are fleeting compared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fumio-sasaki/the-joy-of-victory-isn-t-nearly-as-strong-as-the-despair-you/)

[Fumio Sasaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fumio-sasaki/)

> [The most painful thing to experience is not defeat but regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-buscaglia/the-most-painful-thing-to-experience-is-not-defeat-but-regret/)

[Leo Buscaglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-buscaglia/)

> [I think everyone should experience defeat at least once during their career. You learn a lot from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/i-think-everyone-should-experience-defeat-at-least-once-during-their/)

[Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/)

> [You have to experience and take defeat in any and all aspects of life so you can be better and stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-carpenter/you-have-to-experience-and-take-defeat-in-any-and-all-aspects-of-life/)

[Kyle Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-carpenter/)

> [“I was never a believer in kismet, but meeting Jasper White has altered that belief. Suffering the loss of Harper is something I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-james/i-was-never-a-believer-in-kismet-but-meeting-jasper-white-has-altered/)

[Monica James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-james/)

> [One of the most critical reasons believers experience defeat is because we categorize only a few areas of our lives as Christ's arena.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/one-of-the-most-critical-reasons-believers-experience-defeat-is/)

[Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/)

> [On a grander scale, when a society segregates itself, the consequences affect the economy, the emotions, and the ecology. That's one reason why it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-salatin/on-a-grander-scale-when-a-society-segregates-itself-the-consequences/)

[Joel Salatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-salatin/)

> [Insomnia is only mind over mattress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-ace/insomnia-is-only-mind-over-mattress/)

[Jane Ace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-ace/)

> [I settled at Cold Mountain long ago Already it seems like ages Wandering free I roam the woods and streams Lingering to watch things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanshan/i-settled-at-cold-mountain-long-ago-already-it-seems-like-ages/)

[Hanshan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanshan/)

> [She was a Jew feeder without a question in the world on that man's first night in Molching. She was an arm reacher, deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/she-was-a-jew-feeder-without-a-question-in-the-world-on-that-man-s/)

[Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/)

> [I had fun last night," I told Patch, flicking off my chin strap and handing over my helmet. "I'm officially on love with your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/i-had-fun-last-night-i-told-patch-flicking-off-my-chin-strap-and/)

[Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/)

> [What do you do?' she asks, holding out the vest. 'What do you do?' 'What do you do?' she asks, her voice shaking. 'Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-easton-ellis/what-do-you-do-she-asks-holding-out-the-vest-what-do-you-do-what-do/)

[Bret Easton Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-easton-ellis/)

> [Gabriel pulled her over his body to lie on the bed beside him. His kisses pressed her down into the oblivion of the mattress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annette-curtis-klause/gabriel-pulled-her-over-his-body-to-lie-on-the-bed-beside-him-his/)

[Annette Curtis Klause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annette-curtis-klause/)

> [“going to the mattresses”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-puzo/going-to-the-mattresses/)

[Mario Puzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-puzo/)

> [If our financial industry regarded security the way the health-care sector does, I would stuff my cash in a mattress under my bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avi-rubin/if-our-financial-industry-regarded-security-the-way-the-health-care/)

[Avi Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avi-rubin/)

## More by Stephen Covey

> [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

[Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

## More Alarms quotes

> [Were the life of man prolonged, he would become such a proficient in villainy, that it would become necessary again to drown or to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/were-the-life-of-man-prolonged-he-would-become-such-a-proficient-in/)

[Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/)

> [There's a statement from several members of the Senate, both Democrats and Republicans, including the Democratic leader, Charles Schumer; John McCain, the chair of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-stephanopoulos/there-s-a-statement-from-several-members-of-the-senate-both-democrats/)

[George Stephanopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-stephanopoulos/)

> [Here in the UK the audience immediately reacts and they get the fact that: "What would be the most annoying thing in the world?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-jones/here-in-the-uk-the-audience-immediately-reacts-and-they-get-the-fact/)

[Duncan Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duncan-jones/)

> [It is a hard matter for a man to lie all over, nature having provided king's evidence in almost every member. The hand will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/it-is-a-hard-matter-for-a-man-to-lie-all-over-nature-having-provided/)

[Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/)

> [Who then is free? the wise man who is lord over himself; Whom neither poverty nor death, nor chains alarm; strong to withstand his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/who-then-is-free-the-wise-man-who-is-lord-over-himself-whom-neither/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [Modern man threw a brick through his own window in order to sell himself a burglar alarm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-carr/modern-man-threw-a-brick-through-his-own-window-in-order-to-sell/)

[Allen Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-carr/)

> [I understand the power and the alarm of words - Not those that they applaud from theatre-boxes, but those which make coffins break from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-mayakovsky/i-understand-the-power-and-the-alarm-of-words-not-those-that-they/)

[Vladimir Mayakovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-mayakovsky/)

> [I don't know who Azazel is," he said. "Isn't he the cat from The Smurfs?" He cast about , but Isabelle just looked up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-don-t-know-who-azazel-is-he-said-isn-t-he-the-cat-from-the-smurfs/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [The beloved may be treacherous, greasy-headed and given to evil habits, or else it can be a man in his late forties who works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-link/the-beloved-may-be-treacherous-greasy-headed-and-given-to-evil-habits/)

[Kelly Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-link/)

> [Those who have past much of their lives in this great city, look upon its opulence and its multitudes, its extent and variety, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/those-who-have-past-much-of-their-lives-in-this-great-city-look-upon/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [Unfortunately, I'm one of those idiots who knows everything about health and is in a constant state of alarm, and yet I continue to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-ames/unfortunately-i-m-one-of-those-idiots-who-knows-everything-about/)

[Jonathan Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-ames/)

> [“batteries in the smoke alarms, and since he “just happened”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-lawson-timmer/batteries-in-the-smoke-alarms-and-since-he-just-happened/)

[Julie Lawson Timmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-lawson-timmer/)

> [When I see a new face, something sets off an alarm bell inside me. 'slow down! Danger!' Even when the attraction is strongest, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/when-i-see-a-new-face-something-sets-off-an-alarm-bell-inside-me-slow/)

[Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/)

> [It's gonna be awesome! A suspected pedophile dunks my kids head in a bucket so when she dies she can live in an invisible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-gould/it-s-gonna-be-awesome-a-suspected-pedophile-dunks-my-kids-head-in-a/)

[Dana Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-gould/)

> [I am sick of the girl who cries 'wolf' all the time. Even though not one of those cries was ever a false alarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/i-am-sick-of-the-girl-who-cries-wolf-all-the-time-even-though-not-one/)

[Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/)

Browse all 360 Alarms quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "During the first few minutes in lift-off, the astronauts were strictly controlled and were powerfully buffeted by the forces of nature struggling to keep them on earth. This is somewhat comparable to the pull of the flesh when our alarm goes off early in the morning. Unless we put \"mind over mattress\" and carry out the resolves made the night before, we will experience our first defeat that day. Not sufficient to finish. Mission aborted.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Stephen Covey"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off-the-astronauts-were-strictly/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Alarms"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off-the-astronauts-were-strictly/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c83/stephen-covey-339_alarms_during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off_803023.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c83/stephen-covey-339_alarms_during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off_803023.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c83/stephen-covey-339_alarms_during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off_803023.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“During the first few minutes in lift-off, the astronauts were strictly controlled and were powerfully…” — Stephen Covey",
                "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": "Stephen Covey",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "During the first few minutes in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off-the-astronauts-were-strictly/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/during-the-first-few-minutes-in-lift-off-the-astronauts-were-strictly/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
