--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To set and work toward any goal is an act…" description: "\"To set and work toward any goal is an act of courage.\" — Stephen Covey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/stephen-covey-339_acts-of-courage_to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-ac_386963.png" --- # To set and work toward any goal is an act of courage. ![“To set and work toward any goal is an act of courage.” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/stephen-covey-339_acts-of-courage_to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-ac_386963.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/stephen-covey-339_acts-of-courage_to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-ac_386963.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/stephen-covey-339_acts-of-courage_to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-ac_386963.png) > “To set and work toward any goal is an act of courage.” [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. Setting and pursuing goals requires bravery, as it involves confronting uncertainty and committing to action. **In simple terms:** Goal‑setting is courageous. Key Takeaway Embrace courage in planning. Themes courage goal‑setting personal growth Mood motivational reflective Type self‑help leadership When to use this quote - career planning - fitness training - educational projects Key Concepts psychology of motivation habit formation Questions to Reflect On - What fears hold you back from setting goals? - How can you build support for courageous actions? A Different Perspective Courage alone may not guarantee success without resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acts of courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acts-of-courage/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [It is an act of courage to acknowledge our own uncertainty and sit with it for a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-lerner/it-is-an-act-of-courage-to-acknowledge-our-own-uncertainty-and-sit/) [Harriet Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-lerner/) > [To achieve a higher goal you must only act but also dream the goal..Not only plan but also believe that you can...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-mbululo/to-achieve-a-higher-goal-you-must-only-act-but-also-dream-the-goal/) [Ally Mbululo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-mbululo/) > [The greatest act of courage is not falling in love But, despite everything, falling in love again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-wayne-bailey/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-not-falling-in-love-but-despite/) Robin Wayne Bailey > [It will take an unprecedented act of courage, on a grand scale. You may have to do something virtually unknown in the annals of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/it-will-take-an-unprecedented-act-of-courage-on-a-grand-scale-you-may/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [Excessive caution destroys the soul and the heart, because living is an act of courage, and an act of courage is always an act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/excessive-caution-destroys-the-soul-and-the-heart-because-living-is/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Art is a personal act of courage, something one human does that creates change in another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/art-is-a-personal-act-of-courage-something-one-human-does-that/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Summoning up the courage to take action is always the same regardless of how seemingly big or small the challenge. What may look like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nichiren/summoning-up-the-courage-to-take-action-is-always-the-same-regardless/) [Nichiren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nichiren/) > [Education is an act of love, and thus an act of courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/education-is-an-act-of-love-and-thus-an-act-of-courage/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) > [A single act of courage is often the tipping point for extraordinary change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/a-single-act-of-courage-is-often-the-tipping-point-for-extraordinary/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [Motherhood is always an act of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/motherhood-is-always-an-act-of-courage/) [Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/) > [I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness, is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally nonviolent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/i-am-convinced-that-the-truest-act-of-courage-the-strongest-act-of/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [It is an extraordinary act of courage,' said Tulas Shorn, 'to come to know a stranger's pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/it-is-an-extraordinary-act-of-courage-said-tulas-shorn-to-come-to/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [What really counts is not the immediate act of courage or of valor, but those who bear the struggle day in and day out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/what-really-counts-is-not-the-immediate-act-of-courage-or-of-valor/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Art is a personal act of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/art-is-a-personal-act-of-courage/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) ## 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 Acts of courage quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [Discipline is built by consistently performing small acts of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/discipline-is-built-by-consistently-performing-small-acts-of-courage/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [It is an act of courage to acknowledge our own uncertainty and sit with it for a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-lerner/it-is-an-act-of-courage-to-acknowledge-our-own-uncertainty-and-sit/) [Harriet Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-lerner/) > [We become just by the practice of just actions, self-controlled by exercising self-control, and courageous by performing acts of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/we-become-just-by-the-practice-of-just-actions-self-controlled-by/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [What really counts is not the immediate act of courage or of valor, but those who bear the struggle day in and day out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/what-really-counts-is-not-the-immediate-act-of-courage-or-of-valor/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [It is an extraordinary act of courage,' said Tulas Shorn, 'to come to know a stranger's pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/it-is-an-extraordinary-act-of-courage-said-tulas-shorn-to-come-to/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness, is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally nonviolent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/i-am-convinced-that-the-truest-act-of-courage-the-strongest-act-of/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [A most insidious form of fear is that which masquerades as common sense or even wisdom, condemning as foolish, reckless, insignificant or futile the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/a-most-insidious-form-of-fear-is-that-which-masquerades-as-common/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [Motherhood is always an act of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/motherhood-is-always-an-act-of-courage/) [Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/) > [It’s precisely the people who are considered the least ‘likely’ leaders who end up inspiring others the most. Everyday people and everyday acts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-jen-poo/it-s-precisely-the-people-who-are-considered-the-least-likely-leaders/) [Ai-jen Poo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-jen-poo/) > [Crossing the starting line may be an act of courage, but crossing the finish line is an act of faith. Faith is what kepes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/crossing-the-starting-line-may-be-an-act-of-courage-but-crossing-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A single act of courage is often the tipping point for extraordinary change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/a-single-act-of-courage-is-often-the-tipping-point-for-extraordinary/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [A spontaneous act of generosity, performed with unselfish grace is an example of moral beauty, as are certain acts of courage; genuine modesty is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yi-fu-tuan/a-spontaneous-act-of-generosity-performed-with-unselfish-grace-is-an/) [Yi-Fu Tuan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yi-fu-tuan/) > [Education is an act of love, and thus an act of courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/education-is-an-act-of-love-and-thus-an-act-of-courage/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) > [Summoning up the courage to take action is always the same regardless of how seemingly big or small the challenge. What may look like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nichiren/summoning-up-the-courage-to-take-action-is-always-the-same-regardless/) [Nichiren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nichiren/) [Browse all 58 Acts of courage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acts-of-courage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To set and work toward any goal is an act of courage.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-act-of-courage/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acts of courage" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-act-of-courage/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/stephen-covey-339_acts-of-courage_to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-ac_386963.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/stephen-covey-339_acts-of-courage_to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-ac_386963.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/stephen-covey-339_acts-of-courage_to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-ac_386963.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To set and work toward any goal is an act of courage.” — 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": "To set and work toward any...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-act-of-courage/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-set-and-work-toward-any-goal-is-an-act-of-courage/#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 } } ] } ```