Change is automatic, but progress is not. It’s a powerful distinction that separates those who drift through life from those who design it. This isn’t just a quote; it’s a fundamental law of personal development you can apply immediately.
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Meaning
This quote draws a critical line between passive experience and active achievement. Change is what happens *to* you; progress is what you make happen *for* you.
Explanation
Let me break this down because it’s a concept I see play out every single day. Time passes, your body ages, the market shifts, your company restructures—that’s the *automatic change*. It’s the default setting of the universe. It just happens. Now, progress? Progress is entirely different. Progress is intentional. It’s the result of a conscious decision, a plan, and consistent, often difficult, action. Think of it like this: you can let the river of time just carry you along (that’s change), or you can pick up a paddle and start steering toward a specific destination (that’s progress). Most people confuse the two. They think because a year has passed, they’ve grown. But without that conscious effort, you’ve just gotten older, not better.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Personal Development (697) |
| Topics | change (101), growth (413), progress (50) |
| Literary Style | succinct (151) |
| Emotion / Mood | reflective (382) |
| Overall Quote Score | 84 (319) |
Origin & Factcheck
This insight comes straight from Tony Robbins’ 1991 classic, Awaken the Giant Within, published in the United States. You sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, but this specific, powerful phrasing is trademark Tony.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Tony Robbins (102) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny! (44) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Born Anthony J. Mahavoric in 1960, Tony Robbins rose from a challenging childhood to become a leading voice in personal development. He started as Jim Rohn’s assistant, then built Robbins Research International and created globally attended seminars such as Unleash the Power Within and Date With Destiny. The Tony Robbins book list spans self-help, business, finance, and health, with several No. 1 bestsellers. He co-authored finance works with Peter Mallouk and a longevity guide with Peter H. Diamandis and Robert Hariri. Robbins’ foundation supports youth, prison, and hunger-relief programs.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Change is automatic, but progress is not |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 1991; ISBN: 978-0-671-79154-8; Last edition: Simon & Schuster, 2013; Number of pages: 544. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: The Power of Progress, Approximate page from 2013 edition: 379 |