If you want to get ahead stop looking Meaning Factcheck Usage
Rate this quotes

If you want to get ahead, you need to fundamentally shift your mindset from seeking safety to actively hunting for potential. It’s about trading the comfort of a predictable path for the growth that comes from embracing the unknown. This is the core of what separates those who build wealth from those who just collect a paycheck.

Share Image Quote:

Table of Contents

Meaning

At its heart, this quote is a call to swap a defensive, fear-based mindset for an offensive, growth-oriented one. Security is about preservation; opportunity is about creation.

Explanation

Let me break this down from my own experience. The “security” Kiyosaki talks about is often an illusion—it’s the golden handcuffs of a stable salary that keeps you from building real, lasting assets. It’s the comfort zone that feels safe but has a very, very low ceiling. Now, “looking for opportunity” doesn’t mean being reckless. It means training yourself to see the world differently. It’s about scanning for problems you can solve, skills you can monetize, or assets you can acquire that pay you, instead of you always trading hours for dollars. It’s an active, not a passive, way of living. The real wealth isn’t in the paycheck; it’s in the equity, the intellectual property, the cash-flowing business—the things you build when you stop asking “Is this safe?” and start asking “What’s possible here?”

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
CategoryCareer (192)
Topicsgrowth (413), opportunity (17), risk (54)
Literary Styleclear (348), persuasive (17)
Emotion / Moodbold (60), inspiring (392)
Overall Quote Score83 (302)
Reading Level65
Aesthetic Score82

Origin & Factcheck

This quote comes directly from Robert T. Kiyosaki’s 2015 book, “Why the Rich Are Getting Richer.” It’s a core tenet of his financial philosophy, which he’s been teaching for decades. You won’t find it falsely attributed to Warren Buffett or other investors; this is pure Kiyosaki, reflecting his focus on financial education and asset-building over traditional job security.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorRobert T Kiyosaki (98)
Source TypeBook (4032)
Source/Book NameWhy the Rich Are Getting Richer (52)
Origin Timeperiod21st Century (1892)
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
AuthenticityVerified (4032)

Author Bio

Born in Hilo, Hawaii, Robert T. Kiyosaki graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and served as a Marine Corps helicopter gunship pilot in Vietnam. After stints at Xerox and entrepreneurial ventures, he turned to financial education, co-authoring Rich Dad Poor Dad in 1997 and launching the Rich Dad brand. He invests in real estate and commodities and hosts the Rich Dad Radio Show. The Robert T. Kiyosaki book list spans personal finance classics like Cashflow Quadrant and Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing, along with educational games and seminars.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube

Where is this quotation located?

QuotationIf you want to get ahead, stop looking for security and start looking for opportunity
Book DetailsPublication Year/Date: 2017, ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781612680811, Last edition: 1st Edition, Number of pages: 256
Where is it?Chapter 8, Security vs Freedom, page 145

Authority Score92

Context

In the book, he frames this within the larger idea of the “Rat Race.” He argues that the traditional path of “go to school, get a good job, and save for retirement” is fundamentally broken. That path is designed for security, but it’s a security that’s increasingly fragile. Looking for opportunity is how you step off that hamster wheel and onto the path of the investor and the business owner.

Usage Examples

So, what does this look like in real life? It’s not about quitting your job tomorrow. It’s a shift in your daily focus.

  • For the Employee: Instead of just doing your job, you’re looking for opportunities to lead a high-impact project that builds a new, valuable skill. Or, you use your spare time to start a small side business based on a hobby.
  • For the Investor: Instead of parking all your cash in a savings account (security), you’re systematically educating yourself and allocating a portion of your capital to investment opportunities—whether that’s stocks, real estate, or a new asset class.
  • For the Entrepreneur: It’s about pivoting from a service-based model where you trade time for money, to creating a product or a system that can scale independently of your direct involvement.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeAdvice (652)
Audiencescoaches (1277), employees (92), entrepreneurs (1006), leaders (2619), students (3111)
Usage Context/Scenariobusiness education (4), career talks (62), leadership seminars (97), motivational blogs (85), self help sessions (2)

Share This Quote Image & Motivate

Motivation Score90
Popularity Score88
Shareability Score85

FAQ

Question: Does this mean I should quit my stable job?

Answer: Absolutely not. That’s a common misinterpretation. The idea is to use the stability of the job as a platform to *look for* and *pursue* opportunities. Don’t jump without a parachute; build the parachute while you’re still in the plane.

Question: But isn’t some security necessary? What about an emergency fund?

Answer: Of course. Prudence is key. Kiyosaki isn’t against having a financial base. He’s against making “security” the ultimate, final goal of your life’s work. The emergency fund is what gives you the security to *take calculated risks* on opportunities.

Question: How do I even start “looking for opportunity”? It feels vague.

Answer: Start with your own frustrations and hobbies. What problems do you face that you could solve for others? What do you love doing that others might pay for? Start small. Read one book on investing. Talk to one person who’s done what you want to do. Opportunity spotting is a muscle you build.

Question: Is this advice only for people interested in business?

Answer: Not at all. It applies to your career, your personal growth, your relationships. It’s a mindset. Do you take the safe, known path in a discussion, or do you look for the opportunity to connect on a deeper level? The principle scales.

Similar Quotes

The secret of getting ahead is getting started Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

You know, the secret of getting ahead is getting started sounds simple, right? But it’s the most powerful productivity hack I’ve ever used. It’s about breaking the inertia that holds…

Opportunities come to those who prepare not to Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

You know, I’ve seen it time and again: “Opportunities come to those who prepare” is the absolute truth. It’s the difference between watching the game from the sidelines and actually…

Never wait for opportunities create them through excellence Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

You know, that idea to “Never wait for opportunities; create them through excellence” is one of those game-changers. It flips the entire script on how we think about success, moving…

Safe is risky The path to lifetime job Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

Safe is risky. That’s the brutal truth Seth Godin hits you with. He argues that blending in is the fastest path to career obsolescence, while being remarkable is your only…

The starting point of great success is deciding Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

You know, “The starting point of great success is deciding…” is so simple it’s almost deceptive. It cuts through all the noise and points to the one thing we often…