We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best famous productivity quotes for motivation and inspiration.
Being productive is a key personal attribute that helps (and helped) many great leaders and inspirational figures, to achieve their goals and push themselves further.
1.
“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”
— Bruce Lee
Also referenced to help illustrate Our Story, this quote from the inspirational martial artist Bruce Lee is simple but powerful. It’s productive to think, but don’t overdo it otherwise you’ll never execute.
2.
“To think is easy. To act is difficult. To act as one thinks is the most difficult.”
— Johann Wolfgang Von Goeth
The influential German novelist clearly identified the difference between the “thinking” and the “doing”. Realize greater outcomes when “doing”.
3.
“It is hopeless trying to go forward when you are looking backward.”
— Nancy Astor
Nancy Astor was a British politician and the first (seated) female Member of Parliament. Nancy’s productive mindset, which included looking ahead and staying positive, enabled her to push boundaries and reach goals most people deemed impossible at the time.
4.
“Nothing is less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all.”
— Peter Drucker
Management consultant and author, Peter Drucker, touched on an important part of our everyday lives that many of us still have a large tendency to do. We focus a lot of our time on tasks that are unnecessary or provide little value.
5.
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
— Walt Disney
Walt Disney was a pioneer of the American animation industry, and he emphasized the need to get on with things if you want to make progress. A lot of us are guilty of spending too much time communicating during our working day, and not enough “doing”. We often spend excessive time in needless meetings, participating in small talk around the office (or via video calls), and instant messaging with friends.
6.
“Improved productivity means less human sweat, not more.”
— Henry Ford
Henry Ford, an American business magnate, highlighted the importance of “less is more” when it comes to increasing productivity. This resonates with our mindset: being less busy in the workplace equates to a higher quality output, enabling you to achieve more.
7.
“Life is too complicated not to be orderly.”
— Martha Stewart
The American businesswoman identified the reality of requiring solid structure in our day-to-day lives, and this is essential for our professional activities too. To be efficient and get ahead, we need to support our efforts with routines and process.
8.
“It is not necessary to do extraordinary things to get extraordinary results.”
— Warren Buffett
Business tycoon Warren Buffett, mentioned that we can do ordinary things, yet still achieve exceptional results. By breaking down large and challenging work into small and simplified tasks, completing objectives feels more attainable vs. so far out of reach.
9.
“Ordinary people think merely of spending time, great people think of using it.”
— Arthur Schopenhauer
German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, compared the outlook on time between ordinary and extraordinary people. Use your time wisely by not wasting it.
10.
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
— Albert Einstein
The theoretical physicist was arguably being modest with this statement, yet it holds strong relevance for many of us. Often we like to focus on the easier/less important tasks and problems, therefore delaying the most important or challenging ones, or even overlooking them entirely.
There you have it – our best famous productivity quotes!
Are there any other quotes that deserve a place on the list? Let us know in the comments section.
