A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
The end we aim at must be known, before the way can be made.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Philosopher
Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought.
—Thucydides (c.455?c.400 BCE) Greek Historian
When you’re dying of thirst it’s too late to think about digging a well.
—Japanese Proverb
It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.
—Jackie Joyner-Kersee (b.1962) American Athlete
Do not plan for ventures before finishing what’s at hand.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Unless you have prepared yourself to profit by your chance, the opportunity will only make you ridiculous. A great occasion is valuable to you just in proportion as you have educated yourself to make use of it.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
The method of the enterprising is to plan with audacity and execute with vigor.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
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
Before you build a better mousetrap, it helps to know if there are any mice out there.
—Unknown
If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Affairs that depend on many rarely succeed.
—Francesco Guicciardini (1483–1540) Italian Historian, Statesman
Bad planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.
—Common Proverb
I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs among mankind, if he first forms a good plan, and, cutting off all amusements or other employments that would divert his attention, make the execution of that same plan his sole study and business.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.
—John Lennon (1940–80) British Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Activist
Shape your heart to front the hour, but dream not that the hours will last.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
The loftier the building the deeper the foundation must be.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
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
If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.
—Chinese Proverb
Don’t be a time manager, be a priority manager. Cut your major goals into bite-sized pieces. Each small priority or requirement on the way to ultimate goal become a mini goal in itself.
—Denis Waitley (1933–2025) American Speaker, Consultant, Self-help Pioneer
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 Author, Philosopher
Thoroughness characterizes all successful men. Genius is the art of taking infinite pains. All great achievement has been characterized by extreme care, infinite painstaking, even to the minutest detail.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
It’s never too late to start planning for the future.
—Unknown
The structure will automatically provide the pattern for the action which follows.
—Donald Curtis (1915–97) American Actor, Religious Minister
A trend is a trend is a trend. But the question is, will it bend? Will it alter its course through some unforeseen force and come to a premature end?
—Alexander Cairncross (1911–98) British Economist
Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Basketball Coach, Educator
The man who is prepared has his battle half fought.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Plan more than you can do, then do it. Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it. Hitch your wagon to a star, keep your seat, and there you are.
—Unknown
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