You can’t climb the ladder of success… if your hands are in your pockets. It’s a simple but brutal truth about what it really takes to get ahead. Let’s break down why this metaphor hits so hard.
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Meaning
The core message is brutally simple: Success requires active effort. You can’t be a passive participant and expect to reach the top.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. The “ladder” is your career, your business, any goal really. And “hands in your pockets”? That’s the comfort zone. It’s procrastination. It’s waiting for permission or for someone to just hand you the next rung.
Climbing requires you to grab on. To pull yourself up. To get a little dirty. It’s about taking initiative, putting in the grueling work when no one’s watching, and being fully engaged. You can’t just stand at the bottom and look up, hoping the universe will notice you. You have to reach out and start climbing.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Success (341) |
| Topics | effort (77), initiative (20), success general (86) |
| Literary Style | metaphoric (105) |
| Emotion / Mood | energetic (79) |
| Overall Quote Score | 79 (243) |
Origin & Factcheck
This one comes straight from Brian Tracy, the productivity and business guru. It’s from his 2001 book, Get Paid More and Promoted Faster. You’ll sometimes see it misattributed to Arnold Schwarzenegger or other motivational figures, but the credit firmly belongs to Tracy.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brian Tracy (375) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Get Paid More and Promoted Faster (58) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
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?
| Quotation | You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2002; ISBN: 978-1576751985; Last edition: 2002, Berrett-Koehler Publishers; Number of pages: 208. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: Initiative; Approximate page from 2002 edition |