You know, “The challenge is to resist the temptation…” is really about the hidden cost of playing it safe. It’s a call to embrace the messy, uncertain work that actually matters. Let’s break down why this idea is so powerful.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
At its core, this quote means that true growth and remarkable success lie on the other side of fear and comfort. Playing it safe is the real danger.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. We’re hardwired to seek safety—it’s a primal instinct. But in today’s world, that instinct is a trap. “Safe” is crowded. “Safe” is average. “Safe” is… invisible.
The real work, the work that changes things, is inherently unsafe. It’s the project that might fail. The opinion that might be unpopular. The new strategy that has no precedent. That’s the challenge Godin is talking about. It’s a daily, internal battle against your own lizard brain that’s screaming at you to just fit in. And winning that battle is what separates the exceptional from the pack.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Personal Development (697) |
| Topics | courage (145), growth (413), risk (54) |
| Literary Style | minimalist (442) |
| Emotion / Mood | reflective (382) |
| Overall Quote Score | 84 (319) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Seth Godin’s 2003 marketing manifesto, Purple Cow. It came out in the US and completely reframed how we think about standing out. You sometimes see this sentiment echoed by other thinkers, but this specific phrasing is 100% Godin’s.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Seth Godin (100) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable (43) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Seth Godin writes and teaches about marketing, leadership, and creative work. After earning an MBA from Stanford, he founded Yoyodyne, sold it to Yahoo!, and later launched ventures like Squidoo and the altMBA. He has authored bestsellers such as Permission Marketing, Purple Cow, Tribes, Linchpin, and This Is Marketing. He posts daily at seths.blog and speaks globally about making work that matters. If you’re starting with the Seth Godin book list, expect insights on trust, storytelling, and shipping creative projects that change culture.
| Official Website | Facebook | X
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | The challenge is to resist the temptation to be safe |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2003; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781591843177; Last edition: 2010; Number of pages: 160. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 22: Resist Safety, page 128/160 |