---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first step is the most important. It…"
description: "\"The first step is the most important. It is the most crucial and the most effective as it will initiate the direction you have chosen.\" — Steve Backley"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cc/steve-backley-12780_chosen_the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it_261671.png"
---

#  The first step is the most important. It is the most…

![“The first step is the most important. It is the most crucial and the most effective as it will initiate the direction you have chosen.” quote by Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cc/steve-backley-12780_chosen_the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it_261671.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cc/steve-backley-12780_chosen_the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it_261671.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cc/steve-backley-12780_chosen_the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it_261671.png)

> “The first step is the most important. It is the most crucial and the most effective as it will initiate the direction you have chosen.”

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

## About This Quote

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

The initial action determines the trajectory and effectiveness of any chosen path.

**In simple terms:** First action sets direction and impact.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize the first move.

Themes

strategy motivation decision making

Mood

determined optimistic

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

- starting a new project
- training regimen
- career change
- personal habit formation

Key Concepts

goal setting momentum psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What criteria guide your first decisions?
- How can you test a direction before committing?

A Different Perspective

If the first step is poorly chosen, subsequent effort may be wasted.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [First steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-steps/)

## Related quotes

> [Every fight since I lost in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, every step for me is very important. Every fight becomes harder for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-arlovski/every-fight-since-i-lost-in-the-strikeforce-heavyweight-grand-prix/)

[Andrei Arlovski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-arlovski/)

> [To go far you must begin near, and the nearest step is the most important one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/to-go-far-you-must-begin-near-and-the-nearest-step-is-the-most/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [America, in the eyes of the world, typifies above all else this quality of initiative. The greatest successes are nearly all the fruit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/america-in-the-eyes-of-the-world-typifies-above-all-else-this-quality/)

[B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/)

> [“What should be standing in the shoes of passion, and be walking on the plans of action is sitting in the ink on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/what-should-be-standing-in-the-shoes-of-passion-and-be-walking-on-the/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [“If you want something, you need to initiate an activity. However, if you never pause to watch the results and to assess what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-owen/if-you-want-something-you-need-to-initiate-an-activity-however-if-you/)

[Amanda Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-owen/)

> [During my term in AU, I will initiate an organised compensation claim for Africa and I will fight for a greater voice for Africa…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muammar-al-gaddafi/during-my-term-in-au-i-will-initiate-an-organised-compensation-claim/)

[Muammar al-Gaddafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muammar-al-gaddafi/)

> [The Blue Degrees are but the outer court...of the temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the initiate, but he is intentionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pike/the-blue-degrees-are-but-the-outer-court-of-the-temple-part-of-the/)

[Albert Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pike/)

> [The idea that guys should walk into a bar and confidently initiate contact and then seduce a woman based on a short term conversation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-max/the-idea-that-guys-should-walk-into-a-bar-and-confidently-initiate/)

[Tucker Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-max/)

> [Our aim in education is to give a full life. We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests. Life should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-mason/our-aim-in-education-is-to-give-a-full-life-we-owe-it-to-them-to/)

[Charlotte Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-mason/)

> [The easiest thing is to react. The second easiest thing is to respond. But the hardest thing is to initiate. – When people ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/the-easiest-thing-is-to-react-the-second-easiest-thing-is-to-respond/)

[Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/)

> [Women initiate most domestic violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-charney/women-initiate-most-domestic-violence/)

[Dov Charney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-charney/)

> [As you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open up in your life. It means fear is no longer a dominant factor in what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/as-you-become-comfortable-with-uncertainty-infinite-possibilities/)

[Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/)

> [Belief initiates and guides action - or it does nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-butler/belief-initiates-and-guides-action-or-it-does-nothing/)

[Octavia Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-butler/)

> [I normally don't initiate conversations with guys unless they want to talk about certain things - when I'm at the facility, I'm there to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kluwe/i-normally-don-t-initiate-conversations-with-guys-unless-they-want-to/)

[Chris Kluwe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kluwe/)

> [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/)

[Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/)

## More by Steve Backley

> [The people and successes in your life mirror your beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/the-people-and-successes-in-your-life-mirror-your-beliefs/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [You have to create your self-belief by going to your core to find the probable reasons for the negativity in you, and then demolish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/you-have-to-create-your-self-belief-by-going-to-your-core-to-find-the/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [“To think is good. To obsess is bad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/to-think-is-good-to-obsess-is-bad/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [It is never about who is right or wrong, it is about what is best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/it-is-never-about-who-is-right-or-wrong-it-is-about-what-is-best/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [“They don’t give Olympic medals out for talking a good game.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/they-don-t-give-olympic-medals-out-for-talking-a-good-game/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [“If not you, who?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/if-not-you-who/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [If obstacles are large, jump higher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/if-obstacles-are-large-jump-higher/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [Invest your energy in the things you can control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/invest-your-energy-in-the-things-you-can-control/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [For many, lack of achievement is more a consequence of fear of taking a chance and getting uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/for-many-lack-of-achievement-is-more-a-consequence-of-fear-of-taking/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [Act like a champion, and then become one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/act-like-a-champion-and-then-become-one/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [Do you want to know what one of the secrets to achieving all of your goals is? You’ve got to be committed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/do-you-want-to-know-what-one-of-the-secrets-to-achieving-all-of-your/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [“Your current apathy is simply your soul telling you that it is confused.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/your-current-apathy-is-simply-your-soul-telling-you-that-it-is/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [The way forward is to stop pestering yourself for answers and let it, the creative part of your mind, come up with the solution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/the-way-forward-is-to-stop-pestering-yourself-for-answers-and-let-it/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [It is action that creates motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/it-is-action-that-creates-motivation/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

> [If you remain static and wait for success to come to you it will certainly not happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/if-you-remain-static-and-wait-for-success-to-come-to-you-it-will/)

[Steve Backley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

[Explore all 53 Steve Backley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/)

## More Chosen quotes

> [The emerging church movement has come to believe that the ultimate context of the spiritual aspirations of a follower of Jesus Christ is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samir-selmanovic/the-emerging-church-movement-has-come-to-believe-that-the-ultimate/)

[Samir Selmanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samir-selmanovic/)

> [My Chosen Daughter, No one can define you without your permission. I want you to be so secure in who you are in Me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/god/my-chosen-daughter-no-one-can-define-you-without-your-permission-i/)

God

> [I would have let you shoot me without further ado! But it is not possible to hang the German Reichsmarschall! I cannot permit this.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-goring/i-would-have-let-you-shoot-me-without-further-ado-but-it-is-not/)

[Hermann Goring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-goring/)

> [People have a whole lot more choices than they've had in the past, and I have only earned the right to be considered -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-cole/people-have-a-whole-lot-more-choices-than-they-ve-had-in-the-past-and/)

[Kenneth Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-cole/)

> [You basically have a group of four spies who are chosen for a mission they feel for the fact of how competent they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-leblanc/you-basically-have-a-group-of-four-spies-who-are-chosen-for-a-mission/)

[Matt LeBlanc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-leblanc/)

> [ \[In science any model depends on a pre-chosen taxonomy\] a set of classifications into which we divide the enormous complexity of the real world...… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-e-boulding/in-science-any-model-depends-on-a-pre-chosen-taxonomy-a-set-of/)

[Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-e-boulding/)

> [It seems that the whole world is beginning to decay, and that its putrefaction has chosen to spread outward from here, from the land…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmina-khadra/it-seems-that-the-whole-world-is-beginning-to-decay-and-that-its/)

[Yasmina Khadra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmina-khadra/)

> [At a time when painting itself often seems to be a threatened, even despised, form of artistic activity, Andrew Salgado emerges as a dazzlingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-lucie-smith/at-a-time-when-painting-itself-often-seems-to-be-a-threatened-even/)

Edward Lucie-Smith

> [Love your country. Your country is the land where your parents sleep, where is spoken that language in which the chosen of your heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuseppe-mazzini/love-your-country-your-country-is-the-land-where-your-parents-sleep/)

[Giuseppe Mazzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuseppe-mazzini/)

> [You'd chosen to be an upright biped on the surface of a small planet of a minor sun on the edge of a minor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/you-d-chosen-to-be-an-upright-biped-on-the-surface-of-a-small-planet/)

[Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/)

> [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [The Republicans have chosen to neglect young Americans who need assistance with the costs of higher education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-conyers/the-republicans-have-chosen-to-neglect-young-americans-who-need/)

[John Conyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-conyers/)

> [When adults come together to form an intimate relationship, each person releases into it unresolved issues from their trans-generational pool of unconscious fantasies. Partners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-raphael-leff/when-adults-come-together-to-form-an-intimate-relationship-each/)

[Joan Raphael-Leff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-raphael-leff/)

> [Here's my advice to you: don't marry until you can tell yourself that you've done all you could, and until you've stopped loving the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/here-s-my-advice-to-you-don-t-marry-until-you-can-tell-yourself-that/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

> [I am responsible. Yes, I have chosen to be single.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadya-suleman/i-am-responsible-yes-i-have-chosen-to-be-single/)

[Nadya Suleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadya-suleman/)

Browse all 1,955 Chosen quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The first step is the most important. It is the most crucial and the most effective as it will initiate the direction you have chosen.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Steve Backley"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it-is-the-most-crucial-and-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Chosen"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it-is-the-most-crucial-and-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cc/steve-backley-12780_chosen_the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it_261671.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cc/steve-backley-12780_chosen_the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it_261671.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cc/steve-backley-12780_chosen_the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it_261671.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The first step is the most important. It is the most crucial and the most effective as it will initiate the…” — Steve Backley",
                "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": "Steve Backley",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backley/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The first step is the most...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it-is-the-most-crucial-and-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backley/the-first-step-is-the-most-important-it-is-the-most-crucial-and-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
