---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The hard part is getting to the top of…"
description: "\"The hard part is getting to the top of page 1.\" — Tom Stoppard"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3b/tom-stoppard-437_crafts_the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-p_615686.png"
---

#  The hard part is getting to the top of page 1.

![“The hard part is getting to the top of page 1.” quote by Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3b/tom-stoppard-437_crafts_the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-p_615686.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3b/tom-stoppard-437_crafts_the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-p_615686.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3b/tom-stoppard-437_crafts_the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-p_615686.png)

> “The hard part is getting to the top of page 1.”

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

## 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 challenge is reaching the first milestone; progress begins with overcoming the first obstacle.

**In simple terms:** Getting started is the hardest part.

Key Takeaway

Focus on the first step.

Themes

challenge progress milestones initiative effort

Mood

determined optimistic focused

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- starting a new job
- learning a skill
- writing a manuscript
- fitness training

Key Concepts

goal setting psychology productivity

Questions to Reflect On

- What is your current “page 1” obstacle?
- How can you break it into smaller tasks?

A Different Perspective

First steps can be daunting and may cause paralysis.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Crafts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crafts/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/)

## Related quotes

> [The hardest part about directing is getting everyone on the same page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-marshall/the-hardest-part-about-directing-is-getting-everyone-on-the-same-page/)

[Rob Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-marshall/)

> [Keep writing. Try to do a little bit every day, even if the result looks like crap. Getting from page four to page five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dean-foster/keep-writing-try-to-do-a-little-bit-every-day-even-if-the-result/)

[Alan Dean Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dean-foster/)

> [Actually, who hasn't been through the ghastly experience of sitting in front of a blank page, with its toothless mouth grinning at you: Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-oz/actually-who-hasn-t-been-through-the-ghastly-experience-of-sitting-in/)

[Amos Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-oz/)

> [You have to want it, you have to plan for it, you have to fit it into a busy day, you have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/you-have-to-want-it-you-have-to-plan-for-it-you-have-to-fit-it-into-a/)

[Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/)

> [Even if it's hard, getting over an ex is sometimes the best thing for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimika-rowe/even-if-it-s-hard-getting-over-an-ex-is-sometimes-the-best-thing-for/)

[Kimika Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimika-rowe/)

> [I did come to realize that getting your first job is hard, but it's not nearly as hard as getting your seventh job. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-faris/i-did-come-to-realize-that-getting-your-first-job-is-hard-but-it-s/)

[Anna Faris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-faris/)

> [Tell me why its so hard getting over someone whose hurt you so many times?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/tell-me-why-its-so-hard-getting-over-someone-whose-hurt-you-so-many/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The athletic part I never struggled with. It was the promos, the talking and, being uncomfortable in front of the crowd. Especially being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-mccool/the-athletic-part-i-never-struggled-with-it-was-the-promos-the/)

[Michelle McCool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-mccool/)

> [Why should something so easy be so hard to do!? It's getting stronger you know!..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchelle-suico/why-should-something-so-easy-be-so-hard-to-do-it-s-getting-stronger/)

[Mitchelle Suico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchelle-suico/)

> [It's so hard getting rid of something that means something to you, as many of the pieces on our site do for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tavi-gevinson/it-s-so-hard-getting-rid-of-something-that-means-something-to-you-as/)

[Tavi Gevinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tavi-gevinson/)

> [When I started writing it was kind of hard getting people to do my stuff. They' say they couldn't do my style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otis-blackwell/when-i-started-writing-it-was-kind-of-hard-getting-people-to-do-my/)

[Otis Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otis-blackwell/)

> [If you think it's hard getting in, you should try getting out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-horowitz/if-you-think-it-s-hard-getting-in-you-should-try-getting-out/)

[Anthony Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-horowitz/)

> [These times are so hard, and they're getting even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/these-times-are-so-hard-and-they-re-getting-even-harder/)

[Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/)

> [It is not changing into the lion that is hard, it is getting the tail of a lion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-nigeria-proverb/it-is-not-changing-into-the-lion-that-is-hard-it-is-getting-the-tail/)

African Nigeria Proverb

> [It's hard getting over the past when the future isn't much better...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-hard-getting-over-the-past-when-the-future-isn-t-much-better/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Tom Stoppard

> [If I wanted to change the world, the last thing I would do is write a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-i-wanted-to-change-the-world-the-last-thing-i-would-do-is-write-a/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [If you want to change something by Tuesday, theater is no good. Journalism is what does that. But, if you want to just alter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-you-want-to-change-something-by-tuesday-theater-is-no-good/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [After all these years, I definitely associate having a pen in my hand with having an ashtray just out of eye line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/after-all-these-years-i-definitely-associate-having-a-pen-in-my-hand/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [The universe is deterministic all right, just like Newton said, I mean it's trying to be, but the only thing going wrong is people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-universe-is-deterministic-all-right-just-like-newton-said-i-mean/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [For me, human rights simply endorse a view of life and a set of moral values that are perfectly clear to an eight-year-old child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-me-human-rights-simply-endorse-a-view-of-life-and-a-set-of-moral/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [“What is an artist? For every thousand people there's nine hundred doing the work, ninety doing well, nine doing good, and one lucky bastard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/what-is-an-artist-for-every-thousand-people-there-s-nine-hundred/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [Dying is not romantic, and death is not a game which will soon be over... Death is not anything... death is not... It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/dying-is-not-romantic-and-death-is-not-a-game-which-will-soon-be-over/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [I'm not interested in clothes; I just like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-m-not-interested-in-clothes-i-just-like-them/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [For 10 years of my life, 3 times a day, I thanked the Lord for what I was about to receive and thanked him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-10-years-of-my-life-3-times-a-day-i-thanked-the-lord-for-what-i/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [You should not translate for more than two hours at a time. After that, you lose your edge, the language becomes clumsy, rigid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/you-should-not-translate-for-more-than-two-hours-at-a-time-after-that/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [No matter how imperfect things are, if you've got a free press everything is correctable, and without it everything is concealable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/no-matter-how-imperfect-things-are-if-you-ve-got-a-free-press/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/we-must-be-born-with-an-intuition-of-mortality-before-we-know-the/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [Eternity's a terrible thought. I mean, where's it all going to end?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/eternity-s-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-where-s-it-all-going-to-end/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [There is truth and falsehood in a comma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/there-is-truth-and-falsehood-in-a-comma/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

[Explore all 559 Tom Stoppard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

## More Crafts quotes

> [She spent hours drawing on her own, trying to perfect her craft. And when she got into music, she had that same diligence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-joplin/she-spent-hours-drawing-on-her-own-trying-to-perfect-her-craft-and/)

[Laura Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-joplin/)

> [All My Children taught me a great work ethic; you work so hard on a soap opera! It is a good way to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-larue/all-my-children-taught-me-a-great-work-ethic-you-work-so-hard-on-a/)

[Eva LaRue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-larue/)

> [Good films are not made by accident, nor is good photography. You can have good things happen, on occasion, by accident that can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-willis/good-films-are-not-made-by-accident-nor-is-good-photography-you-can/)

[Gordon Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-willis/)

> [ Harvey \[Weinstein\] didn't want to release \[MY SON THE FANATIC\]; he held it for two years because he wanted a happy ending, although I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/harvey-weinstein-didn-t-want-to-release-my-son-the-fanatic-he-held-it/)

[Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/)

> [There is no royal path to good writing; and such paths as exist do not lead through neat critical gardens, various as they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessamyn-west/there-is-no-royal-path-to-good-writing-and-such-paths-as-exist-do-not/)

[Jessamyn West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessamyn-west/)

> [The state of female artists is very good. But the very definition of art has been biased in that 'art' was what men did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/the-state-of-female-artists-is-very-good-but-the-very-definition-of/)

[Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/)

> [the twelve or fifteen millions in the British Empire, who, while they possess no electoral rights, are yet persuaded they are freemen, and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cobden/the-twelve-or-fifteen-millions-in-the-british-empire-who-while-they/)

[Richard Cobden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cobden/)

> [I got Michael Caine's book, Acting In Film, and I read it on the plane, desperately trying to glean information from him about how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-mccormack/i-got-michael-caine-s-book-acting-in-film-and-i-read-it-on-the-plane/)

[Eric McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-mccormack/)

> [One of the things about what . . . I do - writing plays - is that a poll is not taken before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wasserstein/one-of-the-things-about-what-i-do-writing-plays-is-that-a-poll-is-not/)

[Wendy Wasserstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wasserstein/)

> [Look, I come from vaudeville, I come from burlesque, I come from heartaches, I come from sadness, I come from gladness, I come from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-rooney/look-i-come-from-vaudeville-i-come-from-burlesque-i-come-from/)

[Mickey Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-rooney/)

> [All the craft skills that I have, I feel like I developed and honed in drama school. It's the most important thing for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-holland/all-the-craft-skills-that-i-have-i-feel-like-i-developed-and-honed-in/)

[Andre Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-holland/)

> [A first novel of astonishing force, craft and beauty, The Headmaster's Wager conjures up a dizzyingly evocative wartime Saigon in the story of Percival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-y-k-lee-2/a-first-novel-of-astonishing-force-craft-and-beauty-the-headmaster-s/)

Janice Y. K. Lee

> [This element of surprise or mystery - the detective element as it is sometimes rather emptily called - is of great importance in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/this-element-of-surprise-or-mystery-the-detective-element-as-it-is/)

[E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/)

> [The craft's occupants clutched their armrests, and more than one of them closed their eyes. But not Artemis. He couldn't. There was something morbidly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/the-craft-s-occupants-clutched-their-armrests-and-more-than-one-of/)

[Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/)

> [I always try to write on the principle of the iceberg. There is seven-eighths of it underwater for every part that shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/i-always-try-to-write-on-the-principle-of-the-iceberg-there-is-seven/)

[Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/)

[Browse all 1,453 Crafts quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crafts/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The hard part is getting to the top of page 1.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Tom Stoppard"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-page-1/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Crafts"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-page-1/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3b/tom-stoppard-437_crafts_the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-p_615686.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3b/tom-stoppard-437_crafts_the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-p_615686.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3b/tom-stoppard-437_crafts_the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-p_615686.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The hard part is getting to the top of page 1.” — Tom Stoppard",
                "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": "Tom Stoppard",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The hard part is getting to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-page-1/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-hard-part-is-getting-to-the-top-of-page-1/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
