“Most people are fast to stop you…” is a powerful observation about human psychology and the power of momentum in overcoming resistance.
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Meaning
The core message is that criticism and resistance are front-loaded. People are quick to doubt an idea, but they’re much less likely to intervene once you’ve built real momentum.
Explanation
Let me tell you, I’ve seen this play out so many times. It’s like this invisible force field around the starting line. When you’re just talking about a project, a business, a new fitness goal—that’s when everyone feels entitled to give you their two cents, their doubts, their “helpful” reasons why it might not work. It’s cheap and easy for them to do. But once you’re actually moving, once you’ve shipped the first version, landed the first client, lost the first ten pounds… the energy completely shifts. Now you’re a fact. You’re a force. And people, by nature, don’t want to get in the way of a moving train. They’d rather just watch it go by, or maybe even hop on. The trick, the real magic, is just to get through that initial static.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Success (341) |
| Topics | confidence (100), leadership (111), momentum (9) |
| Literary Style | aphoristic (181), assertive (142), direct (414) |
| Emotion / Mood | motivating (311) |
| Overall Quote Score | 80 (256) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from Timothy Ferriss’s 2010 book, The 4-Hour Body, published in the United States. While the sentiment feels like universal wisdom, this specific phrasing is Ferriss’s. It’s sometimes misattributed to other productivity gurus or even military strategists, but its origin is firmly in Ferriss’s work on accelerated learning and performance.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Timothy Ferriss (145) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman (53) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Timothy Ferriss writes and builds systems that help people work less and achieve more. He broke out with The 4-Hour Workweek and followed with books on body optimization, accelerated learning, and distilled tactics from top performers. He hosts The Tim Ferriss Show, one of the most-downloaded podcasts globally, and has invested in notable technology startups. The Timothy Ferriss book list continues to influence entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals seeking leverage. He studied East Asian Studies at Princeton, founded and sold a supplement company, and actively supports psychedelic science research.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Most people are fast to stop you before you get started but hesitant to get in the way if you’re moving |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2010; ISBN: 978-0-307-46563-0; Publisher: Crown Archetype; Pages: 592. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: Starting and Sustaining Momentum; Approximate page from 2010 edition: 407 |