The easiest thing to do in the world is to neglect the important and give in to the urgent.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the tendency to prioritize immediate tasks over important long-term goals.
Denis Waitley emphasizes the common human tendency to focus on what feels pressing and urgent, often at the expense of what truly matters and requires more thoughtful consideration. The quote serves as a reminder to recognize the difference between urgent tasks that demand immediate attention and important goals that contribute to long-term success and fulfillment.
In practice
In a motivational speech about time management, this quote could be referenced to illustrate the importance of prioritizing goals.
Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the "someday I'll" philosophy.
Winners have the ability to step back from the canvas of their lives like an artist gaining perspective. They make their lives a work of art - an individual masterpiece.
Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future.
You are an uncut gemstone of priceless value. Cut and polish your potential with knowledge, skills and service and you will be in great demand throughout your life.
Expect the best; convert problems into opportunities; be dissatisfied with the status quo; focus on where you want to go, instead of where you're coming from; and most importantly, decide to be happy, knowing it's an attitude, a habit gained from daily practice, and not a result or payoff.
Positive self-expectancy is the first, most outwardly identifiable quality of a top-achieving, winning human being. Positive self-expectancy is pure and simple optimism: real enthusiasm for everything you do... [while] expecting the most favorable result from your own actions. There never was a winner who didn't expect to win in advance. Winners understand that life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. And they know that you usually get what you expect in the long run.
To be honest and truthful in all endeavours is an experience, not a regret
Whatever posessions and objects of its desires the lower self may obtain, it hangs on to them, refusing to let them go out of greed for more, or out of fear of poverty and need.
Worldly Wisdom Do not stay in the field! Nor climb out of sight. The best view of the world Is from a medium height.
I'm the world's original gradualist. I just think ninety-odd years is gradual enough.
There are many things which we can afford to forget which it is yet well to learn.
It is a great delusion in those whose understanding has been darkened by self-love, to think that there is any obedience in the subject who tries to draw the superior to what he wishes.
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