Quotes distilled

Posted by lapazfarm on June 16th, 2006 filed in Random Ramblings

A few days ago, in the planning mode, I shared some quotes on planning and asked readers to share which one they liked best. At the end of my post I promised I would share which one “spoke” most clearly to me at this particular time. Well I will do that, but first I want to share my thoughts on the whole lot of them.

First off, I noticed that these quotes, though seemingly all different, could be grouped into just a few categories based on similarities in message. Then I thought, ya know, despite the flowery language, they really could all be distilled into some pretty simple thoughts. Here is how I group and distill them:

Group 1:

In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969)

A goal without a plan is just a wish.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900 - 1944)
Distillation: Planning is important.

Group 2:

Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it. Plan more than you can do, then do it.
Anonymous

Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood…Make big plans, aim high in hope and work.
Daniel H. Burnham (1846 - 1912)

Distillation: Plan Big

Group 3:

Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.
Peter Drucker (1909 - 2005)

Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you ready or not, to put this plan into action.
Napoleon Hill

A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.
George S. Patton (1885 - 1945)

Distillation: Work the plan.

Group 4:

It is a bad plan that admits of no modification.
Publilius Syrus (~100 BC), Maxims

We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
Joseph Campbell (1904 - 1987)

Zeus does not bring all men’s plans to fulfillment.
Homer (800 BC - 700 BC), The Iliad

Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.
Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)

Distillation: Be flexible.

Here is the one I like best:

Plan. Plan Big. Work the plan. But be flexible. emoticon

Theresa (1966-present)

I know. I am such a cheater!LOL!

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3 Responses to “Quotes distilled”

  1. Kris Says:
    June 16th, 2006 at 2:21 pm

    Ooh! I just saw your link to Material World. That is an *excellent* book!! I think it should be required reading for every family in America.

  2. lapazfarm Says:
    June 16th, 2006 at 8:54 pm

    Yes, I have seen the book and enjoyed it alot, but don’t own it yet. It should be here soon! Have you seen hungry planet yet? It is by the same authors.

  3. Cindy Says:
    June 16th, 2006 at 9:51 pm

    Oh, that was very clever :-)

    Admittedly, I didn’t see the original post when you asked for our best vote, but I really liked:

    We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
    Joseph Campbell (1904 - 1987)

    From a person who is a major planner, my life has certainly taught me to not have a plan, but to go with the one given me by being flexible, then planning, and acting on the plan, sometimes being big and sometimes just little steps ;-)

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