Planning is a significant part of life and sometimes it can be challenging to stay motivated. We collected 25 of the best planning quotes to help you reach your goals in 2023.
It’s a necessity to continually plan, to continually achieve your goals and purpose. You can do it! You can achieve your goals!
Benefits of Reading Planning Quotes
Reading planning quotes can be valuable for several reasons:
- Inspiration: Planning quotes can inspire and motivate you to act towards your goals. They can provide you with a fresh perspective, and remind you of the importance of planning and preparation.
- Wisdom: Planning quotes often offer valuable insights and wisdom from experienced and successful individuals. By reading these quotes, you can learn from their experiences, mistakes, and successes, and apply their lessons to your own life.
- Mindset: Planning quotes can also help you cultivate a positive and productive mindset. By reading quotes that encourage discipline, focus, and perseverance, you can strengthen your own mindset and planning approach.
- Reinforcement: Finally, reading planning quotes can reinforce the importance of planning. It can remind you that planning is not just a necessary task, but a key ingredient for success in any area of your life.
Reading planning quotes can be a useful tool for gaining inspiration, wisdom, mindset and reinforcement in your planning efforts.
Best Planning Quotes
1. “Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.” – Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison’s quote suggests that good fortune or success is not due to luck or chance. Instead, it is a combination of opportunity and planning. To turn an opportunity into something valuable, Edison said, it must be planned.
In other words, the quote emphasizes the importance of preparation and strategic thinking for success. It suggests that those who plan and prepare are more likely to recognize and capitalize on opportunities, and ultimately achieve their desired outcomes.
The quote also implies that good fortune or success is not something that happens to us, but rather something we create through our efforts. By combining opportunity and planning, we can increase our chances of success and create good fortune.
2. “Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.” – Winston Churchill
This quote by Winston Churchill suggests that while having a plan is helpful, planning itself is even more crucial. Churchill believed that planning was a process of thinking ahead, anticipating potential problems and opportunities, and preparing for them.
According to this quote, a plan is merely a snapshot in time, and may not always be relevant or useful as circumstances change. However, planning allows us to adapt and adjust our plans as necessary, and remain flexible and responsive to changing circumstances.
In other words, the quote emphasizes the importance of the planning process rather than the plan itself. It suggests that planning helps us be better prepared and more adaptable to uncertainty or unexpected events.
This quote encourages us to embrace the planning process, rather than focusing solely on the result. By doing so, we can better anticipate and navigate challenges, and increase our chances of success in our endeavors.
3. “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
This quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower suggests that while having a plan is helpful, the real value lies in the planning process itself. Eisenhower believed plans can often become obsolete or irrelevant as circumstances change. However, planning helps us to be prepared and more adaptable when uncertainty or unexpected events arise.
The quote emphasizes the importance of planning as a dynamic and ongoing process, rather than a static and fixed outcome. By constantly planning and adapting to changing circumstances, we can remain flexible and responsive to evolving challenges and opportunities.
In other words, the quote suggests that the act of planning is more significant than the plan itself, as it helps us develop a strategic mindset and anticipate potential problems and opportunities. The planning process allows us to think through various scenarios, weigh different options, and make informed decisions based on our goals and objectives.
This quote encourages us to focus on the planning process rather than fixating on a specific plan. By doing so, we can increase our chances of success and adapt to changing circumstances in both our personal and professional lives.
4. “Never begin the day until it is finished on paper.” – Jim Rohn
This quote by Jim Rohn emphasizes the importance of planning and preparation, particularly when starting a new day. Rohn says it is essential to have a clear plan in place before beginning any upcoming task or activity.
The quote suggests that writing down our goals and tasks for the day can help us stay focused and organized. It can also help us prioritize our time and energy effectively. By putting our plans on paper, we can ensure we don’t forget anything significant. We can refer back to our list throughout the day to stay on track.
Moreover, the quote suggests that having a plan in place can reduce stress and anxiety by providing structure. Instead of starting the day feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, we can begin with a clear roadmap that gives us a sense of purpose and direction.
This quote emphasizes the importance of planning and preparing before diving into any challenging task or activity. By doing so, we can increase our chances of success and minimize stress and uncertainty.
5. “Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.” – Margaret Thatcher
This quote by Margaret Thatcher emphasizes the importance of planning and execution in achieving our goals. Thatcher says it is essential to have a plan in place for each day, and follow through it with focused and disciplined effort.
The quote suggests that planning and execution are two sides of the same coin and must work together to succeed. Planning helps us clarify our goals and priorities and develop a clear roadmap for achieving them. However, without disciplined execution, even the best-laid plans will not succeed.
In other words, this quote emphasizes the importance of taking action on our plans, rather than simply creating them and forgetting about them. It encourages us to be proactive and intentional in our daily work. It also encourages us to use our plans as a guide to staying focused and on track.
This quote emphasizes the importance of planning and execution for success. It encourages us to develop a clear plan for each day and then work on that plan with a focused and disciplined effort. This will enable us to achieve our goals.
6. “Proper planning and preparation prevents poor performance.” – Stephen Keague
This quote by Stephen Keague emphasizes the importance of planning and preparation for high performance. Keague says planning and preparing properly is essential for avoiding mistakes and success.
The quote suggests that by investing in planning and preparation, we can set ourselves up for success and avoid poor performance. By thinking through the details of a project or task ahead of time, we can anticipate potential challenges and come up with strategies to address them.
In other words, the quote emphasizes the importance of proactive and intentional approaches to our work. This is rather than simply reacting to problems as they arise. It encourages us to be thorough and thoughtful in our planning and preparation. It also encourages us to use this process to avoid mistakes and achieve high performance.
This quote highlights the critical role planning and preparation play in success. By investing time and effort in these areas, we can improve our performance, minimize errors, and achieve our goals more effectively.
7. “A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power.” – Brian Tracy
This quote by Brian Tracy emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and concrete plans for personal confidence and power. Tracy says having a clear picture of what we want to achieve, and a detailed plan for getting there, can strengthen our sense of self-assurance and personal agency.
The quote suggests that having a vision and a plan can help us feel more in control of our lives. This can help us approach our goals with increased focus and determination. When we know exactly what we want to achieve, and have a roadmap for getting there, we can approach our work with purpose and direction.
Furthermore, the quote implies that having a clear vision and plan can help us overcome self-doubt and uncertainty, and build confidence over time. By seeing the progress we are making toward our goals, and by having a clear understanding of what we need to do next, we can develop a sense of personal power that fuels further success.
The quote emphasizes the importance of having both a vision and a plan for personal confidence and power. It encourages us to clarify our goals and develop a concrete plan for achieving them. We can then use this roadmap to build confidence and personal agency over time.
8. “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
This quote by Napoleon Hill emphasizes the importance of taking action toward our goals, even if we don’t feel fully ready or prepared. Hill says having a clear plan in place is essential for achieving our goals. However, it is equally imperative to take immediate action on that plan, regardless of any doubts or fears we may have.
The quote suggests that by working on our plan right away, we can build momentum and progress toward our goals. This is even if we don’t feel fully prepared or confident. It encourages us to take a proactive and bold approach to our work. The quote also encourages us to use our plan as a guide for taking action and making progress.
Furthermore, the quote implies that waiting for the right moment or for all the pieces to fall into place is a recipe for inaction and missed opportunities. By taking action on our plan, even if we don’t feel fully ready, we can learn and grow through experience. We refine our approach over time.
The quote emphasizes the importance of taking immediate action toward our goals, even if we don’t feel fully prepared or confident. It encourages us to use our plan as a roadmap for action. It encourages us to start working on that plan right away to build momentum and progress toward our desires.
9. “To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.” – Leonard Bernstein
This quote by Leonard Bernstein suggests that achieving remarkable things requires two key ingredients: a plan and a sense of urgency or time pressure. Bernstein says having a clear plan in place is essential for big goals. However, it is equally imperative to have a sense of urgency or a deadline that motivates us to act.
The quote implies that having “not quite enough time” can be a powerful motivator for action and help us focus our efforts on what truly matters. It encourages us to use time pressure to our advantage. It also encourages us to use our plan as a guide for focused and purposeful action.
Furthermore, the quote suggests that without a sense of urgency, our plans may become stagnant or overly complex. We may struggle to make meaningful progress toward our goals. By embracing time pressure and using it to our advantage, we can push ourselves to achieve remarkable things. We can also overcome obstacles that might otherwise hold us back.
The quote emphasizes the importance of having a plan in place, but also of embracing the sense of urgency that comes with lack of time. It encourages us to use this urgency as a motivator for action and channel our efforts toward achieving our goals with focus and purpose.
10. “Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.” – Tom Landry
This quote by Tom Landry emphasizes the importance of setting goals and having a clear plan for achieving them. Landry says that while setting goals is critical, the key to success lies in the planning and execution of the steps necessary to achieve those goals.
The quote suggests that it is not enough to have a goal in mind; we must also decide on a specific plan of action to achieve it. This involves breaking down the goal into smaller, actionable steps and identifying the resources and support needed to complete those steps.
Furthermore, the quote implies that staying committed to a plan of action is crucial to achieving our goals. It is not enough to create a plan and abandon it at the first sign of difficulty or challenge. Rather, we must stay committed to the plan, make adjustments as needed, and continue to execute the steps necessary to achieve our goals.
The quote emphasizes the importance of having a plan for achieving our goals and staying committed to that plan. It encourages us to approach our goals with a clear sense of purpose and direction. It also encourages us to focus our efforts on the steps needed to achieve them. By doing so, we can increase our chances of success and overcome any obstacles along the way.
11. “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey’s quote emphasizes passion and positive energy. Winfrey says that when we focus on what truly excites and inspires us, we tap into a powerful source of energy. This can fuel our actions and drive us toward our goals.
The quote suggests that passion is not just a feeling or emotion, but a tangible source of energy that propels us forward. When we are passionate about something, we become more motivated, engaged, and enthusiastic, and we are more likely to take action towards our goals.
Furthermore, the quote implies that finding and focusing on our passions is the key to living a fulfilling and meaningful life. By identifying what truly excites and inspires us, we can tap into energy and motivation. This can help us overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.
The quote emphasizes passion in our lives. It encourages us to focus our energy on the things that truly excite us. By doing so, we can tap into a powerful source of energy that drives us toward success and fulfillment. This will help us live our best lives.
12. “I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” – Ginni Rometty
This quote by Ginni Rometty emphasizes the importance of taking on difficult challenges to grow personally and professionally. Rometty says growth and comfort cannot coexist. She suggests that to grow, we must be willing to step outside of our comfort zones and take on difficult and unfamiliar tasks.
The quote implies that taking on a variety of challenges and learning various skills is necessary for personal and professional development. It encourages us to embrace the discomfort and uncertainty that comes with trying new things. It also encourages us to use those experiences as opportunities to learn and grow.
Furthermore, the quote suggests that staying within our comfort zones can limit our potential for growth and achievement. By always taking on difficult challenges and pushing ourselves beyond what we already know, we can continue to learn and develop new skills. This will unlock our full potential.
The quote emphasizes the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing challenges to grow personally and professionally. It encourages us to view discomfort and uncertainty as opportunities for learning and development and use those experiences to unlock our full potential.
13. “Do not be afraid to make decisions. Do not be afraid to make mistakes.” – Carly Fiorina
This quote by Carly Fiorina emphasizes the importance of taking action and making decisions, even if mistakes are possible. Fiorina says we should not be afraid to take action and make decisions, even if we are not completely sure of the outcome.
The quote implies that taking action and making decisions, even if they result in mistakes, is better than not engaging in any action at all. It encourages us to embrace decision-making uncertainty and take risks, even if failure is possible.
Furthermore, the quote suggests that mistakes can be valuable learning opportunities. By making mistakes and learning from them, we can grow and develop as individuals and professionals. This implies that making mistakes is a necessary part of the learning process and that we should not be afraid of them.
The quote emphasizes the importance of taking action and making decisions, even if mistakes are possible. It encourages us to embrace uncertainty and take risks, recognizing that mistakes can be valuable learning opportunities.
14. “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
This quote by Eleanor Roosevelt emphasizes the importance of planning and taking action, rather than simply wishing for something to happen. Roosevelt says that expending energy on wishing for something is equivalent to expending energy on planning and taking action towards achieving it.
The quote implies that wishing for something to happen is not enough on its own. We must take action and work to make our desires reality. This suggests that planning and action are necessary steps toward our goals. We cannot rely on wishful thinking to achieve our goals.
Furthermore, the quote suggests that the energy we expend wishing for something could be better directed toward planning and action. By focusing our energy on developing a plan and taking concrete steps toward achieving our goals, we are more likely to succeed and accomplish what we set out to do.
The quote emphasizes the importance of planning and taking action toward achieving our goals, rather than wishful thinking. It encourages us to develop a plan and take concrete steps. This is the most effective way to turn our desires into reality.
15. “Every minute you spend in planning saves 10 minutes in execution; this gives you a 1,000 percent return on energy!” – Brian Tracy
Brian Tracy’s quote emphasizes the importance of planning to increase efficiency and productivity. Tracy says every minute spent planning can save up to 10 minutes in execution, resulting in a 1,000 percent return on energy.
The quote implies that planning tasks and projects greatly increases our efficiency and effectiveness. By investing time in the planning stage, we can identify potential obstacles, streamline our processes, and ensure that we are working towards our goals in the most effective way possible. This allows us to save time and energy during the execution phase, as we have a clear roadmap to follow.
Furthermore, the quote suggests that planning is a wise investment of our energy and resources. By spending time in the planning stage, we can achieve a much higher return on our investment than if we simply dive into the execution phase without a plan. This implies that planning is essential to achieving our goals and maximizing productivity.
The quote emphasizes the importance of planning to increase efficiency and productivity. It encourages us to invest time in the planning stage, recognizing that this is a wise investment of our energy. This can greatly increase our returns.
16. “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” – Alan Lakein
According to Alan Lakein, planning is key to controlling the future. Lakein says planning involves bringing the future into the present so that we can take action now to shape the outcomes we desire.
The quote implies that planning is a proactive approach to achieving our goals, rather than simply reacting to circumstances as they arise. By anticipating potential challenges and opportunities in the future, we can prepare for them and shape the outcomes we desire. This allows us to take control of our future, rather than passively receiving whatever comes our way.
Furthermore, the quote suggests that planning is a powerful tool for achieving our goals and creating the future we desire. By bringing the future into the present, we can shape the outcomes we want. This is rather than simply hoping things will work out. This implies that planning is essential to success and realizing our potential.
The quote emphasizes the importance of planning to take control of our future and shape the outcomes we desire. It encourages us to be proactive in pursuing our goals. It recognizes that planning is a powerful tool for creating the future we want.
17. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin’s quote emphasizes the importance of preparation for success. Franklin says that if we fail to prepare for a task or goal, we set ourselves up for failure.
The quote suggests that preparation is a critical step to success, and that failure to prepare can have negative consequences. This implies that simply hoping for the right outcome or relying on luck is not enough to achieve our goals. Instead, we must take proactive steps to prepare for the challenges and opportunities we will face along the way.
Furthermore, the quote implies that preparation is a key factor in achieving our potential. By failing to prepare, we limit our ability to succeed and reach our goals. This means that preparation is not just critical to accomplishing a specific task or goal. It is also about realizing our full potential and succeeding in all areas of our lives.
This quote emphasizes the importance of preparation for success and reaching our full potential. It encourages us to be proactive in approaching our goals. It recognizes that preparation is a critical step in avoiding failure and succeeding.
18. “Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” – Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem’s quote highlights the importance of imagination and creativity in planning. Steinem says if we do not dream and imagine, we risk losing the excitement and potential of what is possible. Dreaming can be seen as a form of planning, as it allows us to envision and create the future we desire.
The quote implies that dreaming and imagination are crucial for effective planning, as they allow us to expand our horizons, explore new possibilities, and envision a better future. It suggests that we should not limit ourselves to what we already know or what is currently within our reach. Instead, we should use our imagination to dream and create something original.
Furthermore, the quote suggests that dreaming is not just a passive activity, but an active form of planning. This means that by dreaming and imagining, we are taking a significant step toward making our goals and aspirations a reality. In this way, dreaming can be seen as a precursor to action and planning.
This quote highlights the importance of imagination and dreaming in planning. It encourages us to embrace our dreams and use them as a tool for envisioning a better future. It also encourages us to act toward our goals.
19. “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett’s quote reminds us of the importance of foresight and long-term planning. It suggests that our actions today can have a significant impact on others’ lives in the future. This is even if we cannot personally witness the fruits of our labor.
The metaphor of someone sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago implies that our actions can provide comfort and security to others, even years or decades after we take them. It encourages us to think beyond our immediate needs and desires and consider the long-term impact of our actions.
The quote also highlights the interconnectedness of our actions and effects. It suggests that our choices and decisions have a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate circle of influence. We have the power to create positive change for future generations.
This quote encourages us to think and act with a long-term perspective, and to consider the impact of our actions on others both now and in the future. It reminds us that small, thoughtful actions can have a significant impact over time. It encourages us to strive towards creating a better world for future generations.
20. “Always, Always have a plan.”- Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan’s quote emphasizes the importance of a success plan. It suggests that having a plan is not only helpful but also essential to navigating through life’s challenges and achieving goals.
The repetition of the word “always” emphasizes the importance of having a plan in all aspects of life, from the smallest tasks to the biggest decisions. It implies that having a plan can help us stay organized, focused, and motivated in our pursuit of success.
By using the imperative form of the verb “have,” the quote encourages us to take action and create a plan for ourselves. It suggests that planning is not something we should wait until the last minute, but rather something we should prioritize and incorporate into our daily lives.
Rick Riordan’s quote encourages us to prioritize planning and preparation to succeed in all areas of life. It reminds us that having a plan can help us stay focused, motivated, and on track toward reaching our goals.
21. “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” – Alexander Graham Bell
This quote by Alexander Graham Bell emphasizes the importance of preparation as the foundation for success. It suggests that before achieving anything significant, one must first be adequately prepared.
The phrase “before anything else” underscores the importance of preparation for success. It implies that one cannot simply rely on talent or luck, but must invest time and effort in preparing for the task at hand.
The quote also highlights the idea that preparation involves more than just physical or material readiness. It requires mental and emotional readiness as well, such as developing the right mindset, attitude, and habits conducive to success.
This quote by Alexander Graham Bell reminds us that preparation is crucial to success. It encourages us to adequately prepare ourselves before taking on any significant endeavor. It also encourages us to approach each task with a mindset of preparedness and readiness.
22. “The backbone of success is hard work, determination, good planning and perseverance.” – Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm’s quote emphasizes the essential elements of success. Hard work, determination, effective planning, and perseverance are all critical components that help you reach your goals.
Hard work refers to the effort and dedication required to succeed. It involves investing time and energy in the task at hand. It involves consistently pushing oneself to improve, and being willing to strive above and beyond to achieve one’s goals.
Determination is the quality of having a firm purpose and being resolute in achieving objectives. It involves being committed to one’s goals and not giving up in the face of challenges or obstacles.
Effective planning involves creating a clear and effective strategy to achieve goals. It includes identifying the necessary steps, resources, and timelines needed to reach the desired outcome.
Perseverance is the quality of continuing to work towards goals despite setbacks or failures. It involves resilience and determination to overcome obstacles and push forward.
Together, these qualities form the backbone of success, providing the necessary foundation and support to achieve goals. Mia Hamm’s quote reminds us that success requires hard work, determination, good planning and perseverance. It also reminds us that those who possess these qualities are most likely to achieve their desired outcomes.
23. “Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.” – Sun Tzu
This quote by Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese military strategist, discusses the importance of being proactive and strategic to succeed. The quote can be interpreted in two parts:
“Plan for what is difficult while it is easy” – This means that one should anticipate challenges and difficulties that may arise in the future and prepare for them while things are currently going well. By doing so, one can avoid being caught off guard and be better equipped to handle any obstacles that come their way.
“Do what is great while it is small” – This means taking advantage of small opportunities and working towards larger goals when they are still manageable. By doing so, one can progress towards goals before the task becomes too overwhelming.
This quote is about the importance of being proactive, strategic, and taking advantage of opportunities to succeed.
24. “Always plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.” – Richard Cushing
This quote by Richard Cushing emphasizes planning ahead. The quote can be interpreted as follows:
The reference to Noah and the Ark is a metaphor for planning ahead. According to the story, God warned Noah of an impending flood. Noah built an ark to save himself, his family and animals. Noah’s preparation allowed him to survive the flood and ensure life continued on Earth.
Likewise, Cushing encourages people to plan ahead for potential problems or challenges in the future. By doing so, they will be better prepared to face them when they come, rather than being caught off guard and unprepared.
The phrase “It wasn’t raining” suggests that when things are going well, it’s easy to become complacent and ignore potential problems. However, by planning ahead during good times, one can avoid being caught off guard when difficult times come.
This quote reminds us that preparation is the key to success and that one should always plan ahead, even when things work well.
25. “Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently.” – William A. Ward
This quote by William A. Ward emphasizes the importance of purposeful planning, prayerful preparation, positive action, and the persistent pursuit of success. The quote can be interpreted as follows:
“Plan purposefully” – This means having a clear goal in mind and creating a plan of action aligned with that goal. Purposeful planning involves identifying what needs to be done, how it will be done, and why it is so crucial.
“Prepare prayerfully” – This means preparing for a goal with reverence and respect. Ward suggests that prayer can be a powerful tool for preparing mentally and spiritually for the task ahead.
“Proceed positively” – This means approaching a goal with a positive attitude and mindset. Rather than being held back by fear or doubt, Ward suggests that a positive outlook can help one stay motivated and focused on achieving their goal.
“Pursue persistently” – This means being persistent in pursuing a goal, even when faced with obstacles or setbacks. Ward suggests that persistence is essential to success and that persistent people will ultimately be rewarded.
This quote reminds us that success requires purposeful planning, prayerful preparation, positive action, and persistent pursuit. Ward’s four steps provide a roadmap for achieving goals and reminds us that success is possible with the right mindset and approach.
Conclusion
If you need help achieving your goals in 2023, the 25 inspirational planning quotes in this blog post can inspire you to get motivated and focused.
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