---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the habitual, not the periodical…"
description: "\"It is the habitual, not the periodical thought that decides your destiny.\" — Wallace D. Wattles"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/wallace-d-wattles-1465_destiny_it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-th_794970.jpg"
---

#  It is the habitual, not the periodical thought that…

![“It is the habitual, not the periodical thought that decides your destiny.” quote by Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/wallace-d-wattles-1465_destiny_it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-th_794970.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/wallace-d-wattles-1465_destiny_it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-th_794970.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/wallace-d-wattles-1465_destiny_it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-th_794970.jpg)

> “It is the habitual, not the periodical thought that decides your destiny.”

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

## About This Quote

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

Consistent, habitual thinking shapes long‑term outcomes more than occasional thoughts.

**In simple terms:** Daily mindset determines destiny.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate positive, purposeful habits.

Themes

mindset habit destiny success law of attraction

Mood

inspirational thoughtful motivational

Type

philosophical self‑help educational

When to use this quote

- goal setting
- daily journaling
- meditation
- habit tracking
- career planning

Key Concepts

cognitive psychology behavioral economics self‑efficacy

Questions to Reflect On

- What daily thoughts are steering your future?
- How can you break unproductive habits?

A Different Perspective

Habitual focus can become rigid, ignoring needed flexibility.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Our destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-destiny/) [Your destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-destiny/)

## Related quotes

> [“Decision decides destiny. What God wants you to become is the positive person you decide to become when led by God's spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/decision-decides-destiny-what-god-wants-you-to-become-is-the-positive/)

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

> [We are all immersed in the atmosphere of our own thinking, which is the direct result of all we have ever said, thought or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/we-are-all-immersed-in-the-atmosphere-of-our-own-thinking-which-is/)

[Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/)

> [Whatever you habitually think yourself to be, that you are. You must form, now, a greater and better habit; you must form a conception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/whatever-you-habitually-think-yourself-to-be-that-you-are-you-must/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [A people decides its own destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marine-le-pen/a-people-decides-its-own-destiny/)

[Marine Le Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marine-le-pen/)

> [Time Table decides what would be your destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fazal/time-table-decides-what-would-be-your-destiny/)

Fazal

> [It is the road you take that decides your destiny and not your destiny that decides the road you take.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apoorve-dubey/it-is-the-road-you-take-that-decides-your-destiny-and-not-your/)

[Apoorve Dubey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apoorve-dubey/)

> [Change your habitual questions and change your destiny!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/change-your-habitual-questions-and-change-your-destiny/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [We are what we think we are. The habitual inclination of our thoughts determines our talents and abilities, and our personality. So whatever you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/we-are-what-we-think-we-are-the-habitual-inclination-of-our-thoughts/)

[Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/)

> [I am sure that the sad days and happenings were rare, and that I lived the joyous and careless life of other children; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-loti/i-am-sure-that-the-sad-days-and-happenings-were-rare-and-that-i-lived/)

[Pierre Loti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-loti/)

> [ “But it is doubtless true, and evident from \[the\] Scriptures, that the essence of all true religion lies in holy love; and that in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/but-it-is-doubtless-true-and-evident-from-the-scriptures-that-the/)

[Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/)

> [It's a matter of ABC: When we encounter ADVERSITY, we react by thinking about it. Our thoughts rapidly congeal into BELIEFS. These beliefs may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-seligman/it-s-a-matter-of-abc-when-we-encounter-adversity-we-react-by-thinking/)

[Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-seligman/)

> [O Heavenly Father, convert my religion from a name to a principle! Bring all my thoughts and movements into an habitual reference to Thee!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chalmers/o-heavenly-father-convert-my-religion-from-a-name-to-a-principle/)

[Thomas Chalmers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chalmers/)

> [The mind has powers that allow us to go beyond our normal or habitual way of being, and beyond what we think is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-jaworski/the-mind-has-powers-that-allow-us-to-go-beyond-our-normal-or-habitual/)

[Joseph Jaworski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-jaworski/)

> [People aren't religious because it's easy not to be. Like anything, it's habitual, and once it's a habit it's no longer hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/people-aren-t-religious-because-it-s-easy-not-to-be-like-anything-it/)

[Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/)

> [Once we're thrown off our habitual paths, we think all is lost, but it's only here that the new and the good begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/once-we-re-thrown-off-our-habitual-paths-we-think-all-is-lost-but-it/)

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

## More by Wallace D. Wattles

> [Get rid of the idea that God wants you to sacrifice yourself for others, and that you can secure his favor by doing so;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/get-rid-of-the-idea-that-god-wants-you-to-sacrifice-yourself-for/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [You already have within you everything you need to turn your dreams into reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/you-already-have-within-you-everything-you-need-to-turn-your-dreams/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [Nothing was ever in any man that is not in you; no man ever had more spiritual or mental power than you can attain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/nothing-was-ever-in-any-man-that-is-not-in-you-no-man-ever-had-more/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [You can never become a great man or woman until you have overcome anxiety, worry, and fear. It is impossible for an anxious person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/you-can-never-become-a-great-man-or-woman-until-you-have-overcome/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [It is essential to have good tools, but it is also essential that the tools should be used in the right way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/it-is-essential-to-have-good-tools-but-it-is-also-essential-that-the/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [The more gratefully we fix our minds on the Supreme when good things come to us, the more good things we will receive, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/the-more-gratefully-we-fix-our-minds-on-the-supreme-when-good-things/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [You are not kept poor by lack in the supply of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/you-are-not-kept-poor-by-lack-in-the-supply-of-riches/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [Remember that poise and power are inseparably associated. The calm and balanced mind is the strong and great mind; the hurried and agitated mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/remember-that-poise-and-power-are-inseparably-associated-the-calm-and/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [It is within the power of every man to become great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/it-is-within-the-power-of-every-man-to-become-great/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [Do not wait for an opportunity to be all that you want to be; when an opportunity to be more than you are now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/do-not-wait-for-an-opportunity-to-be-all-that-you-want-to-be-when-an/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [You want to get rich in order that you may surround yourself with beautiful things, see distant lands, feed your mind, and develop your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/you-want-to-get-rich-in-order-that-you-may-surround-yourself-with/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [Wisdom is the essential basis of greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/wisdom-is-the-essential-basis-of-greatness/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [The human being lives, moves, and has his being in a limitless ocean of health-power, and he uses this power according to his faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/the-human-being-lives-moves-and-has-his-being-in-a-limitless-ocean-of/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, and fills the inter spaces of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/there-is-a-thinking-stuff-from-which-all-things-are-made-and-which-in/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [I will trust and not be afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/i-will-trust-and-not-be-afraid/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

[Explore all 224 Wallace D. Wattles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

## More Destiny quotes

> [... War on the destiny of man! Doom on the sun! Before death takes you, O take back this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-on-the-destiny-of-man-doom-on-the-sun-before-death-takes-you-o/)

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

> [Anatomy is destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/anatomy-is-destiny/)

[Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/)

> [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [“To be a Sufi is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/to-be-a-sufi-is-to-detach-from-fixed-ideas-and-from-preconceptions/)

[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

> [ Man blindly works the will of fate. \[Ger., Blindlings that er blos den Willen des Geschickes.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-martin-wieland/man-blindly-works-the-will-of-fate-ger-blindlings-that-er-blos-den/)

[Christoph Martin Wieland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoph-martin-wieland/)

> [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/)

[Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/)

> [“It's morning now, and I miss the soft rasp of her voice already. Ugh. I'm in trouble, aren't I?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-shand/it-s-morning-now-and-i-miss-the-soft-rasp-of-her-voice-already-ugh-i/)

[Pat Shand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-shand/)

> [You can't choose what stays and what stays away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-welch/you-can-t-choose-what-stays-and-what-stays-away/)

[Florence Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-welch/)

> [“Failing to meet your true destiny is a tragic act of free will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthon-st-maarten/failing-to-meet-your-true-destiny-is-a-tragic-act-of-free-will/)

[Anthon St. Maarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthon-st-maarten/)

> [Somehow destiny comes into play. These children end up with you and you end up with them. It's something quite magical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-kidman/somehow-destiny-comes-into-play-these-children-end-up-with-you-and/)

[Nicole Kidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-kidman/)

> [“In that instant it all seemed to come clear to him- it came in a grisly flash of light, and he realized that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/in-that-instant-it-all-seemed-to-come-clear-to-him-it-came-in-a/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [“Destiny is the ordained intention God has sacredly prepared with your name on it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-lynch/destiny-is-the-ordained-intention-god-has-sacredly-prepared-with-your/)

[John S. Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-lynch/)

> [“There is no interaction without God with interaction with men”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/there-is-no-interaction-without-god-with-interaction-with-men/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/)

[Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/)

> [“Fate and future both are servant to the determined, for they are nothing but creation of human determination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/fate-and-future-both-are-servant-to-the-determined-for-they-are/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

[Browse all 7,925 Destiny quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It is the habitual, not the periodical thought that decides your destiny.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Wallace D. Wattles"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-thought-that-decides-your/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Destiny"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-thought-that-decides-your/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/wallace-d-wattles-1465_destiny_it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-th_794970.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/wallace-d-wattles-1465_destiny_it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-th_794970.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/wallace-d-wattles-1465_destiny_it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-th_794970.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It is the habitual, not the periodical thought that decides your destiny.” — Wallace D. Wattles",
                "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": "Wallace D. Wattles",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It is the habitual, not the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-thought-that-decides-your/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/it-is-the-habitual-not-the-periodical-thought-that-decides-your/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
