The best quotes and sayings about procrastination have been brought together and categorized by the underlying problem. Pass one along to inspire action or provide a little laughter.
Are you plagued by unexplainable periods of inactivity and looming deadlines?
If you are reading this article, then you are probably looking for additional tools to curb the effects this behavior can wreak on a project deadline.
Use these famous or funny quotes on procrastination as light-hearted reminders or daily affirmations. Add one to your email signature line, a bulletin board or your next pep talk. For your convenience, they are categorized by common reasons for procrastinating.
P.S. Don’t miss the quotes attached to the pictures!
When you are having trouble getting started…
Some people procrastinate because they are perfectionists and fear failure. If a project never gets off the ground, then the chance of error or rejection is eliminated and so is the opportunity for success. If your team is fearful of taking the plunge, then consider these famous quotes which inspire the first step.
Don’t wait. The time will never be just right. - Napoleon Hill
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. - Abraham Lincoln
Doubt can only be removed by action. - Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe
An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory. - Friedrich Engels
When you need motivation to keep up the daily grind…
Many people believe that motivation must precede action. But, just the opposite is true. Once you begin going through the motions or steps of a project plan, motivation builds steam. (Have you ever wanted to skip an exercise routine? After getting dressed and warming up, you are likely to finish the program with energy to spare.) Use one of these gems to rally your team to consistent action:
Action expresses priorities. - Mahatma Gandhi
Action is the foundational key to all success. - Pablo Picasso
Just do it. - Nike
When someone needs a personal call to action…
In spite of actions you take to increase team motivation , a group is only as strong as the sum of its parts. If someone on the team needs a nudge, consider one of these quotes on procrastination:
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. - William James
Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible. - George Claude Lorimer
Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday. - Don Marquis
The trouble is that you think you have time. - Jack Kornfield
When you need a laugh!
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. These sayings point out the humorous side of procrastinating:
I think I grew a grey watching you procrastinate. - Brandon Boyd
After all is said and done, more is said than done. - Anonymous
I like work. It fascinates me. I sit and look at it for hours. - Anonymous
Procrastination is the greatest labor saving invention of all time. - Anonymous
I hope you found an inspiration to share…if so, please pass it along. Do you have a favorite of your own? We would love to read it in the comments section below!
References and Resources
Image credit:
- Hour glass: https://www.sxc.hu/photo/708452
- Flowchart: https://www.joeydevilla.com/?s=procrastination+flowchart
- Cat: https://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/funny-pictures-procrastination-cat.jpg
Reference: Burns, D. D. (1989). The Feeling Good Handbook. New York: Plume_._
This post is part of the series: Procrastination Resources and Strategies
Learn to analyze and address procrastination with this series of articles that provides tips and strategies to avoid it, examples of good delays, the connection to creativity and more.
