--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you are self-motivated, wow, this…" description: "\"If you are self-motivated, wow, this world is tailored for you. The boundaries are all gone. But if you're not self-motivated, this world will be a cha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/thomas-friedman-1784_benefits_if-you-are-self-motivated-wow-this-world_653627.jpg" --- # If you are self-motivated, wow, this world is tailored for… ![“If you are self-motivated, wow, this world is tailored for you. The boundaries are all gone. But if you're not self-motivated, this world will be a challenge because the walls, ceilings and floors that protected people are also disappearing. That is what I mean when I say "it is a 401(k) world."…” quote by Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/thomas-friedman-1784_benefits_if-you-are-self-motivated-wow-this-world_653627.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/thomas-friedman-1784_benefits_if-you-are-self-motivated-wow-this-world_653627.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/thomas-friedman-1784_benefits_if-you-are-self-motivated-wow-this-world_653627.jpg) > “If you are self-motivated, wow, this world is tailored for you. The boundaries are all gone. But if you're not self-motivated, this world will be a challenge because the walls, ceilings and floors that protected people are also disappearing. That is what I mean when I say "it is a 401(k) world." Government will do less for you. Companies will do less for you. Unions can do less for you. There will be fewer limits, but also fewer guarantees. Your specific contribution will define your specific benefits much more. Just showing up will not cut it.” [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In a self‑motivated world, opportunities expand but safety nets shrink; personal initiative becomes essential as traditional guarantees fade. **In simple terms:** Self‑motivation is now crucial. Key Takeaway Invest in personal growth and resilience. Themes economy self‑reliance change Mood analytical inspirational Type economic personal development When to use this quote - career planning - entrepreneurship - skill development Key Concepts market dynamics social safety nets Questions to Reflect On - How will you adapt to a less protected economy? - What skills will you develop to stay competitive? A Different Perspective Not everyone can thrive without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [401 World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/401-world-5221654/) [Benefits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefits/) [Boundaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boundaries/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Ceilings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceilings/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Contribution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contribution/) [Cutting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cutting/) [Disappear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappear/) [Fewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fewer/) [Fewer Guarantees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fewer-guarantees-5221655/) [Gone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gone/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Guarantees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guarantees/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivated/) [Motivated World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivated-world-5221656/) [Motivated Wow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivated-wow-5221657/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Protected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protected/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-motivated/) [Showing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/showing-up/) [Tailored](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tailored/) [This world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-world/) [Unions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unions/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-government/) [Wow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wow/) ## Related quotes > [Never let adversity deter you from your dream that are really your destination. Keep your self motivated and willingness to take every situation by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/never-let-adversity-deter-you-from-your-dream-that-are-really-your/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [It wasn't like I was self-motivated. My dad started me. It was his dream before it was mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/it-wasn-t-like-i-was-self-motivated-my-dad-started-me-it-was-his/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [Keep yourself motivated. You've got to be motivated, you've got to wake up every day and understand what that day is about; you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-cohn/keep-yourself-motivated-you-ve-got-to-be-motivated-you-ve-got-to-wake/) [Gary Cohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-cohn/) > [I feel like I was born and bred to stay self-motivated. I'm not one of those people who ho-hums and feels sorry for himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/i-feel-like-i-was-born-and-bred-to-stay-self-motivated-i-m-not-one-of/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [Celebrating your achievements and applauding your triumphs is a sure way to refuel your enthusiasm and keep yourself motivated for your future endeavors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-roopleen/celebrating-your-achievements-and-applauding-your-triumphs-is-a-sure/) [Dr Roopleen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-roopleen/) > [I'm self-motivated. I'm motivated for myself to be the best I can be - for me to do that, I have to have my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deshaun-watson/i-m-self-motivated-i-m-motivated-for-myself-to-be-the-best-i-can-be/) [Deshaun Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deshaun-watson/) > [Some people are just self-motivated - my husband was. I also believe there are many children for whom parental involvement is key.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-chua/some-people-are-just-self-motivated-my-husband-was-i-also-believe/) [Amy Chua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-chua/) > [I'm an only child, so I am a very self-motivated and driven person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ti-west/i-m-an-only-child-so-i-am-a-very-self-motivated-and-driven-person/) [Ti West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ti-west/) > [Homeschoolers are the ultimate do-it-yourselfers. They are self-motivated and self-directed, independent-minded and creative. They are not content to turn their education of their children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/homeschoolers-are-the-ultimate-do-it-yourselfers-they-are-self/) [Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/) > [When you want something desperately and you lose it, no matter how hard you try to get yourself motivated, it's always difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-jay-okocha/when-you-want-something-desperately-and-you-lose-it-no-matter-how/) [Jay-Jay Okocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-jay-okocha/) > [Keep your head up.Keep yourself motivated to take any challenge in struggle of life.Believe tomorrow will be better if you can bear hardship today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/keep-your-head-up-keep-yourself-motivated-to-take-any-challenge-in/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [I've always been self-motivated, but I can't take a ton of credit for any success I've had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-billingsley/i-ve-always-been-self-motivated-but-i-can-t-take-a-ton-of-credit-for/) [Peter Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-billingsley/) > [“I’m very self-motivated,” she’d state with an assertiveness that she didn’t quite feel in her gut, and the HR guy would look down at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dexter-palmer/i-m-very-self-motivated-she-d-state-with-an-assertiveness-that-she/) [Dexter Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dexter-palmer/) > [“If you have the right people on the bus, they will be self-motivated. The real question then becomes: How do you manage in such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/if-you-have-the-right-people-on-the-bus-they-will-be-self-motivated/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [By the time I was 14, I had become self-motivated. Whatever raced inside me was more demanding than any pressure applied by parents or teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bradley/by-the-time-i-was-14-i-had-become-self-motivated-whatever-raced/) [Bill Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bradley/) ## More by Thomas Friedman > [I'm pretty much an open book. I am a fanatic golfer and golf nut. If I have three free hours any day, my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/i-m-pretty-much-an-open-book-i-am-a-fanatic-golfer-and-golf-nut-if-i/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [The financial crisis just made the hole deeper, which is why our stimulus needs to be both big and smart, both financially and educationally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/the-financial-crisis-just-made-the-hole-deeper-which-is-why-our/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [Many jobs at Google require math, computing, and coding skills, so if your good grades truly reflect skills in those areas that you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/many-jobs-at-google-require-math-computing-and-coding-skills-so-if/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [Never before in the history of the planet have so many people, on their own, had the ability to find so much information about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/never-before-in-the-history-of-the-planet-have-so-many-people-on/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [When I was growing up, my parents told me, 'Finish your dinner. People in China and India are starving.' I tell my daughters, 'Finish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/when-i-was-growing-up-my-parents-told-me-finish-your-dinner-people-in/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [Hillary Clinton has decided to line up with John McCain in pushing to suspend the federal excise tax on gasoline, 18.4 cents a gallon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/hillary-clinton-has-decided-to-line-up-with-john-mccain-in-pushing-to/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [Two things are going on at the same time with the flattening of the world: The relentless quest for efficiency is squeezing some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/two-things-are-going-on-at-the-same-time-with-the-flattening-of-the/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [Our president's latest energy initiative was to go to Saudi Arabia and beg King Abdullah to give us a little relief on gasoline prices.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/our-president-s-latest-energy-initiative-was-to-go-to-saudi-arabia/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [I don't think the Arab Spring had much to do with energy. I think it was just the opposite, in fact. I think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/i-don-t-think-the-arab-spring-had-much-to-do-with-energy-i-think-it/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [Until we fully understand what turned two brothers who allegedly perpetrated the Boston Marathon bombings into murderers, it is hard to make any policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/until-we-fully-understand-what-turned-two-brothers-who-allegedly/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [Geopolitics is all about leverage. We cannot make ourselves safer abroad unless we change our behavior at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/geopolitics-is-all-about-leverage-we-cannot-make-ourselves-safer/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [Big breakthroughs happen when what is suddenly possible meets what is desperately needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/big-breakthroughs-happen-when-what-is-suddenly-possible-meets-what-is/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [That's right-the striking thing about greenhouse gases is the diversity of sources that emit them. A herd of cattle belching can be worse than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/that-s-right-the-striking-thing-about-greenhouse-gases-is-the/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [There is something more severe than the problem with Thomas Friedman, which can be generalized to represent someone causing action while being completely unaccountable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/there-is-something-more-severe-than-the-problem-with-thomas-friedman/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [Pessimists are usually right and optimists are usually wrong but all the great changes have been accomplished by optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/pessimists-are-usually-right-and-optimists-are-usually-wrong-but-all/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) [Explore all 208 Thomas Friedman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) ## More Benefits quotes > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. 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It is about the power of the state as applied to individuals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-rudd/politics-is-about-power-it-is-about-the-power-of-the-state-it-is/) [Kevin Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-rudd/) > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Neither novels or their readers benefit from any attempts to divine whether any facts hide inside a story. 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The boundaries are all gone. But if you're not self-motivated, this world will be a challenge because the walls, ceilings and floors that protected people are also disappearing. That is what I mean when I say \"it is a 401(k) world.\" Government will do less for you. Companies will do less for you. Unions can do less for you. There will be fewer limits, but also fewer guarantees. Your specific contribution will define your specific benefits much more. 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