10 Productivity Proverbs to Help You Get More Done

Do you want to get more done at work and at home on a regular basis?

Are you looking for some good old fashioned, practical, and no-nonsense advice?

In this post, you’ll find my favorite ten proverbs about work and getting things done.

A proverb is a collection of words, or a saying, with a practical lesson to be learned or heeded.

Sadly, proverbs are not as popular as they were years ago.

This is unfortunate because the lessons proverbs teach about everyday life and work habits are truly priceless.

These short and sweet statements sum up the ways of the world and the human condition.

Apply the sayings to any situation in life, be it a work, career, school, or personal issue.

In fact, you might say proverbs are the original productivity tips.

Enjoy!

A stitch in time saves nine.

This is one of my favorite proverbs. What if you catch a problem at the right point in time and take care of it promptly?

You’ll save yourself from lots of work and/or headaches in future.

A watched pot never boils.

The more time you spend focusing intently over something, the more time it will take for said item to be resolved.

Sometimes you have to let things take care of themselves…and do something else in the meantime.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

You’ve got to make the most of what you have in your life right here, right now.

The value of what you have right now is greater than that which is slightly, or completely, out of your reach.

Don’t put the cart before the horse.

It doesn’t make sense to try to do things out of sequence; your results won’t be very fruitful.

There is a certain order that must be followed whether you’re dealing with carts and horses, or thoughts, data, and presentations.

Make hay while the sun shines.

There’s a time and a place for everything. Including if you want to get more done in a day.

You should take advantage of conditions when they are right for the work you want to do.

Conditions can quickly change from one moment to the next, so you’d better get to it!

Haste makes waste.

Working quickly and sloppily isn’t the best way to get things done.

You’ll not only waste your time and effort, but you may also needlessly waste money, materials, or other people’s time.

Slow down and take your time.

Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today.

What’s the difference between doing something today versus tomorrow?

Perhaps the only thing that stands between you and finishing your work is procrastination, resentment, or unavoidable delays.

Whatever your situation may be, time is of the essence. Tomorrow will be today before you know it. Take action today.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

It’s tempting to put all your energies and efforts into one main container, project or basket.

Should there be even the slightest of problems, you’re going to have to spend time dealing with errors and the consequences.

Consider making a contingency plan or two in case things don’t go as planned.

The squeaking wheel gets the oil.

Quick question: do you fix items that aren’t broken? Of course not! You leave them as-is.

It’s more important to turn your attention to items and situations that actually need your time, energy, and resources.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If you do nothing, you get nothing. You might as well get out there and make, do, or create something.

You’ll never know how things might turn out if you don’t give it a try…

How about you? Which of the above proverbs are your favorites? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!

5 Unexpected Things You Need to Organize a Work Notebook Mockup
About the Author

Rashelle

Rashelle Isip is a New York City-based productivity consultant who helps successful entrepreneurs and business owners manage their time and energy so they can reduce stress, work less, and make more money in their businesses. She has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, NBC News, The Washington Post, NPR, and The Atlantic. Get her free guide, 5 Unexpected Things You Need to Organize a Work Notebook, by clicking here.

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