Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.
—A. A. Milne (1882–1956) British Humorist, Playwright, Children’s Writer
Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
No one was ever lost on a straight road.
—Indian Proverb
We can’t cross a bridge until we come to it; but I always like to lay down a pontoon ahead of time.
—Bernard M. Baruch (1870–1965) American Financier, Economic Consultant
First ask yourself: What is the worst that can happen? Then prepare to accept it. Then proceed to improve on the worst.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
But the delights of solitude don’t only consist of dreaming. Next in enjoyment, I think, comes planning.
—Anna Neagle (1904–86) English Actress
Most people are content to let perfect days happen at random rather than PLAN for them.
—Indian Proverb
Life is a long preparation for something that never happens.
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) Irish Poet, Dramatist
Do not plan for ventures before finishing what’s at hand.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
We always plan too much and always think too little.
—Joseph Schumpeter (1883–1950) Austrian-American Political Economist, Sociologist
Can you think of anything more permanently elating than to know that you are on the right road at last?
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher
Meticulous planning will enable everything a man does to appear spontaneous.
—Mark Caine
For all your days prepare,
And meet them ever alike:
When you are the anvil, bear—
When you are the hammer, strike.
—Edwin Markham (1852–1940) American Poet, Lecturer
For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.
—Unknown
He who fails to plan, plans to fail.
—Common Proverb
If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
—E. B. White (1985–99) American Essayist, Humorist
If you’re prepared, then you’re able to feel confident.
—Robert Ringer (b.1979) American Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Author
Plan your progress carefully; hour-by hour, day-by-day, month-by-month. Organized activity and maintained enthusiasm are the wellsprings of your power.
—Paul J. Meyer
A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (b.1940) American Self-Help Author
We need a sense of the value of time—that is, of the best way to divide one’s time into one’s various activities.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
To have his path made clear for him is the aspiration of every human being in our beclouded and tempestuous existence.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
When schemes are laid in advance, it is surprising how often the circumstances will fit in with them.
—William Osler (1849–1919) Canadian Physician
Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Sportsperson
Few men in our history have ever obtained the Presidency by planning to obtain it.
—James A. Garfield (1831–81) American Head of State, Lawyer, Educator
Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.
—John Lennon (1940–80) British Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Activist
The person who doesn’t know where his next dollar is coming from usually doesn’t know where his last dollar went.
—Indian Proverb
It’s never too late to start planning for the future.
—Unknown
Plans are nothing; planning is everything.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
Miracles come in moments. Be ready and willing.
—Wayne Dyer (1940–2015) American Self-Help Author