If it s to be it s up Meaning Factcheck Usage
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You know, I’ve seen that quote, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me,” attributed to a few people, but it really comes from Brian Tracy’s work. It’s a powerful little mantra that basically hands you the keys to your own destiny. No more waiting around for permission or a lucky break.

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Table of Contents

Meaning

At its core, this is about radical personal responsibility. It means the outcome of your life, your career, your projects—it all ultimately rests on your shoulders.

Explanation

Look, I’ve been in the game a long time. And the single biggest differentiator I’ve seen between people who make it and people who don’t isn’t talent or even intelligence. It’s this mindset. It’s the realization that nobody is coming to save you. The market doesn’t owe you anything. If you want that promotion, you have to earn it. If you want to start that business, you have to build it. It’s incredibly empowering once you truly internalize it. It transforms you from a passenger in your own life into the driver.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguageEnglish (4154)
CategoryPersonal Development (759)
Topicsaction (134), initiative (23), responsibility (63)
Literary Styleconcise (493)
Emotion / Mooddetermined (150)
Overall Quote Score85 (367)
Reading Level45
Aesthetic Score88

Origin & Factcheck

This is definitively from Brian Tracy’s 2000 book, The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success. You’ll sometimes see it floating around as an anonymous proverb or even mistakenly credited to William H. Johnsen, but Tracy is the one who popularized it in the modern business context.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorBrian Tracy (375)
Source TypeBook (4771)
Source/Book NameThe 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success (48)
Origin TimeperiodContemporary (1869)
Original LanguageEnglish (4154)
AuthenticityVerified (4771)

Author Bio

Brian Tracy, a prolific author gained global reputation because of his best seller book list such as Eat That Frog!, Goals!, and The Psychology of Selling, and created influential audio programs like The Psychology of Achievement. He is sought after guru for personal development and business performance. Brian Tracy International, coaches millions of professionals and corporates on sales, goal setting, leadership, and productivity.
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Where is this quotation located?

QuotationIf it’s to be, it’s up to me
Book DetailsPublication Year/Date: 2000; ISBN: 978-1576750805; Last edition: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; Number of pages: 288.
Where is it?Chapter: The Law of Initiative; Approximate page from 2000 edition

Authority Score98

Context

In the book, this idea isn’t just a feel-good statement. It’s presented as a fundamental law—the Law of Control. Tracy argues that high achievers have a high “locus of control,” meaning they believe they are in charge of their lives. This quote is the battle cry for that entire concept.

Usage Examples

So how do you actually use this? It’s a mental reset button.

  • For an Entrepreneur: Instead of blaming the economy for slow sales, you say, “If this business is to be, it’s up to me,” and you pick up the phone and make ten more calls.
  • For a Team Leader: When a project is stalling, you don’t point fingers. You take ownership and ask, “What can I do right now to unblock this?”
  • For a Student or Anyone Learning: You stop complaining that a subject is too hard. You decide that if you’re going to pass, it’s up to you to find a tutor, form a study group, or put in the extra hours.

It’s for anyone who’s ever felt stuck or powerless. It’s your way out.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeWisdom (2089)
Audiencescoaches (1347), entrepreneurs (1092), leaders (3037), students (3611)
Usage Context/Scenariogoal-setting workshops (41), leadership programs (198), motivational sessions (105), personal growth coaching (7)

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Motivation Score94
Popularity Score92
Shareability Score95

FAQ

Question: Does this mean I should never ask for help?

Answer: Not at all. That’s a common misinterpretation. It means the responsibility for the outcome is yours. Being resourceful and seeking help is a powerful action you take. The buck still stops with you.

Question: What about things outside of my control, like a sudden market crash?

Answer: Great question. You can’t control the crash, but you can control your response to it. Do you pivot? Do you cut costs? Do you see a new opportunity others are missing? Your reaction is 100% up to you.

Question: Isn’t this a lot of pressure to put on yourself?

Answer: It can feel that way at first. But honestly, I’ve found it’s far less pressure than the alternative—the anxiety of feeling like a victim of circumstance. This mindset is freeing. It gives you your power back.

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