Jeff Bezos Quotes

Because, as we all know, it’s easier to do trivial things that are urgent than it is to do important things that are not urgent, like thinking. And it’s also easier to do little things we know we can do than to start on big things that we’re not so sure about.

Where you are going to spend your time and your energy is one of the most important decisions you get to make in life.

You have to ruthlessly prioritize.

I think it's important how you spend your time. I try to make sure that I'm growing.

What's important now? - To evaluate the past, focus on the future, and tell you what you have to do in the present

I think it's very important to know what you want to do next versus just leave it up to chance, really position yourself in the right footings to get to where you want to be.

You must distinguish between what is urgent and what is important. You could accomplish all of the urgent things that you desire without accomplishing anything that is important.

Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.

The opportunist thinks of me and today. The statesman thinks of us and tomorrow.

Sometimes I do have something in my head. But, for me, I think it usually ends up being about considering all of the elements, and trying to understand the distance from where we are to where we want to go.

Winston Churchill used to say that we, Americans, try every other option before we finally do the right thing. After everything else is exhausted we eventually do the right thing and I think that's true for Congress as well. And it's important for Americans to remember that politics has always been messy.

Thoughtful people are concerned with the future because that is the only area of experience about which anything can be done. We cannot change the past, and the present is gone as soon as it is reported, but the future is that in which we can make a difference.

I had a horrible life habit that I had to change. And I think it's very true, the later we make decisions in life that are important, the harder it is to manage those decisions.

If you continually ask yourself, "What's important now?", you won't waste time on the trivial.

Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.

There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing.

One of the most important rules of personal effectiveness is the 10/90 rule.

I don't think spending time in Ottawa is a good use of my time as the leader.

If you get asked to do something that would take place down the road (say you get asked to speak at a conference that's a year away) and you wouldn't want to do it if it were taking place next week, then don't do it. This advice has helped me evaluate the opportunities that I truly want to dedicate my time to and those that I don't.

Our time on Earth is already short enough. For me, it's like every single day I try to be as happy as I can. It's crazy to think about. We never have enough time. That's always the thing. We always want to do more. So it's about being able to spend time on the things that are most important to you. Life is a lot easier that way, and obviously life is pretty difficult a lot of the time.

Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.

I like to take my time and not try to put too much pressure on myself, but it's hard. I think I forget every time - you give birth and you want your stomach to be flat again.

I've never really been a workaholic. I work very hard, but I also enjoy playing. I think it's important to have a balanced and well-rounded life.

The future comes one day at a time [so don't fear and try to solve all the worries and problems of the future today].

Sometimes I think we can tell how important it is to risk by how dangerous it is to do so.