Podcasters ask me for favorite quotes. I answer with the one below a lot.

I can’t prove it right, but I find it describes what happens when you act remarkably accurately. It’s the opposite of analyzing and planning without acting. It tells you that however you plan, acting with resolve will create opportunities and resources beyond what you can plan.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

People attribute it to Goethe, but if you look it up you’ll find someone mistranslated Goethe and others added to the mistranslation. I think it resulted from a whisper-down-the-lane effect.

There are two lines at the end that I dislike for sounding too new age-y, or something like that. I can’t put my finger on what about them I disconnect from the above. You can connect them if you like.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

Why resources appear out of the blue

Maybe the biggest resource that arises when you start a project is that people help you.

Why do people start helping you when you start a project?

I think that people want dreams to happen. Most people are afraid to try theirs since, if they don’t work out, they may have to give up on their dreams. When they see you acting on your dreams, they’d rather help you achieve your dream than play no role in any dreams coming true.

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