More from David Woodle

The road to success can be much more fun than success itself. Define and enjoy many small successes along the way.

DW

David Woodle

Penn State University Commencement 2001, 2001

The Story Behind This Quote

Woodle placed this advice at the end of his speech, under the 'M' in TEAM: Make Success Happen. After spending most of his address on organizational principles — strategic thinking, empowerment, responsiveness — he closed with a surprisingly personal note about the nature of success itself. The insight was counterintuitive for an audience of achievement-oriented engineering graduates: the arrival is less satisfying than the journey. Woodle urged them not to set 'just one major success' for themselves in life but to 'define and enjoy many small successes along the way.' This reframing transformed success from a distant destination into a daily practice. Coming from a CEO who had spent 25 years in business since his own Penn State graduation, the advice carried the weight of lived experience. Woodle admitted that looking back on all the challenges of his career, 'I enjoyed every minute of it and wish I could do it all over again.' The implication was clear: if you defer happiness until you reach 'success,' you will miss the best parts of your life — which are happening right now, in the struggle.

Collect Your Favorite Quotes

Save quotes that inspire you. Build your personal collection of wisdom in Minditly — available on both platforms.