Here is an old quote from Woody Allen that has entered the realm of Respected Axioms.
It's a reminder that progress requires action.
Allen said that 80 percent of success is showing up.
In one interview with The Motley Fool investment advisors, Allen recalled that quote:
"I made the statement years ago which is often quoted that 80 percent of life is showing up. People used to always say to me that they wanted to write a play, they wanted to write a movie, they wanted to write a novel, and the couple of people that did it were 80 percent of the way to having something happen.
"All the other people struck out without ever getting to the plate. They couldn't do it, that's why they don't accomplish a thing, they don't do the thing. Once you do it, if you actually write your film script, or write your novel, you are more than half way towards something good happening. So that is the biggest life lesson that has worked. All others have failed me."
Whatever you want to do, you must start, even if you aren't starting exactly where you want.
You can further your career with training classes, college courses, or you can open up a text editor and start your great American novel.
Your goals don't have to be lofty either. Want to be a citizen and homeowner? Get up, dress up, and show up every day and do your best.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
