If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you open to my ideas
John CleeseRead
Because, as we all know, it’s easier to do trivial things that are urgent than it is to do important things that are not urgent, like thinking. And it’s also easier to do little things we know we can do than to start on big things that we’re not so sure about.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the tendency to prioritize urgent yet trivial tasks over more important, non-urgent ones.
John Cleese points out a common human behavior where we often find ourselves focusing on tasks that are urgent but lack significance. This is contrasted with important tasks that require deeper thought and preparation but are often delayed due to uncertainty and a lack of immediate pressure. The overall message encourages individuals to recognize this tendency and strive to prioritize what truly matters, rather than getting caught up in the noise of urgency.
Themes
PrioritizationImportanceUrgencyTasksThinking
In practice
Example use cases
In a meeting discussing project timelines, this quote could be used to highlight the importance of focusing on strategic planning rather than just meeting immediate deadlines.
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I used to desire many, many things, but now I have just one desire, and that's to get rid of all my other desires.
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When the target audience is American teenage kids, you can have problems. My generation prized really fine acting and writing. Sometimes you have to go back to the basic principles which underpin great visual comedy.
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Well, the only way I can get a leading-man role is if I write it.
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