--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before people can begin something new…" description: "\"Before people can begin something new, they have to end what used to be and unlearn the old way.\" — William Bridges" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/142/william-bridges-29342_begin_before-people-can-begin-something-new-th_907512.png" --- # Before people can begin something new, they have to end… ![“Before people can begin something new, they have to end what used to be and unlearn the old way.” quote by William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/142/william-bridges-29342_begin_before-people-can-begin-something-new-th_907512.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/142/william-bridges-29342_begin_before-people-can-begin-something-new-th_907512.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/142/william-bridges-29342_begin_before-people-can-begin-something-new-th_907512.png) > “Before people can begin something new, they have to end what used to be and unlearn the old way.” [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. To start anew, one must first let go of old habits and unlearn previous patterns. **In simple terms:** New beginnings require letting go and unlearning. Key Takeaway Release old habits before embracing new ones. Themes change growth learning transition Mood reflective encouraging practical Type self-help psychology When to use this quote - career change - personal development - education - health habits Key Concepts psychology habit formation adaptability Questions to Reflect On - What old habit must you release? - How will you support yourself during unlearning? A Different Perspective Unlearning can be painful and uncertain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Old ways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-ways/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [Unlearn your old ways/ideas to Learn and adopt new ways/ideas Leading to a new you Relearning as you progress in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-o-silas/unlearn-your-old-ways-ideas-to-learn-and-adopt-new-ways-ideas-leading/) Segun O Silas > [To stay young requires unceasing cultivation of the ability to unlearn old falsehoods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/to-stay-young-requires-unceasing-cultivation-of-the-ability-to/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [This world is changing enormously. 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Transition, on the other hand, is psychological. It is not those events, but rather the inner reorientation or self-redefinition that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/change-is-situational-transition-on-the-other-hand-is-psychological/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [We resist transition not because we can't accept the change, but because we can't accept letting go of that piece of ourselves that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/we-resist-transition-not-because-we-can-t-accept-the-change-but/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [“The real difficulties, in short, come from the transition process. It”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/the-real-difficulties-in-short-come-from-the-transition-process-it/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [Transition is the natural process of disorientation and reorientation that marks the turning points in the path of growth...transitions are key times in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/transition-is-the-natural-process-of-disorientation-and-reorientation/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [It isn't the changes that do you in, it's the transitions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/it-isn-t-the-changes-that-do-you-in-it-s-the-transitions/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [“Author says change emphasizes what is happening TO us while transition emphasizes opportunity for growth within.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/author-says-change-emphasizes-what-is-happening-to-us-while/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [It is when we are in transition that we are most completely alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/it-is-when-we-are-in-transition-that-we-are-most-completely-alive/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [Nothing so undermines organizational change as the failure to think through the losses people face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/nothing-so-undermines-organizational-change-as-the-failure-to-think/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [Faith is the soul's adventure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/faith-is-the-soul-s-adventure/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [Change comes more from managing the journey than from announcing the destination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/change-comes-more-from-managing-the-journey-than-from-announcing-the/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [Treating ourselves like appliances that can be unplugged and plugged in again at will or cars that stop and start with the twist of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/treating-ourselves-like-appliances-that-can-be-unplugged-and-plugged/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [All transitions are composed of an ending, a neutral zone and a new beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bridges/all-transitions-are-composed-of-an-ending-a-neutral-zone-and-a-new/) [William Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bridges/) > [It isn't the changes that do you in, it's the transitions. 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She is how things begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/a-mother-is-always-the-beginning-she-is-how-things-begin/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [I look forward to the day that a lot of the folks that you all talk about and cover on this network will begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-look-forward-to-the-day-that-a-lot-of-the-folks-that-you-all-talk/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“...I'd be interested in any tips you have for somebody starting out.” “Uh-huh,” I said, looking out the window. I decided, as we drove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-jenkins-reid/i-d-be-interested-in-any-tips-you-have-for-somebody-starting-out-uh/) [Taylor Jenkins Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-jenkins-reid/) > [I'm Irish and always will be, but America has taught me so much. 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