Last week, I used an insightful quote to illustrate my post, a quote that I particularly cherish 1 and feel deserves a dedicated post. This quote resonates deeply with me and aligns perfectly with the principles of CogitActive. Its profound message and relevance merited its own spotlight indeed.
Besides, due to time constraints, I would have had to rush the long post I was planning for this week, exactly the opposite of what the quote underscores. Instead, I decided to ask for Copilot’s and Gemini’s 2 help to draft a post that explores the wisdom behind these words.
If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?John R. Wooden
This quote is often attributed to John Wooden (external link), the legendary basketball coach renowned for his wisdom on and off the court. He emphasized preparation, discipline, and doing things the right way, believing that meticulous attention to detail was crucial for success in both basketball and life. While pinpointing the exact occasion when John Wooden first uttered this specific quote is difficult, it embodies his lifelong dedication to excellence 3.
The quote reflects its overall approach to coaching and life. It emphasizes the importance of taking the time to do things correctly the first time around. By doing so, you avoid the additional time, effort, and resources needed to fix mistakes later. While it might seem faster to cut corners initially, doing so often leads to mistakes that require even more time to fix (read my previous post for a perfect illustration).
By embracing this mindset, one can achieve greater success, reduce stress, and create a culture of excellence. It encourages us to invest time upfront to ensure things are done correctly, ultimately saving time and effort. CogitActive embodies the philosophy of thoughtful preparation (“cogit”) before action (“active”). This commitment to quality and meticulous preparation is at the core of CogitActive’s identity. I believe that a meticulous and deliberate approach is indeed the key to achieving excellence efficiently. However, it is increasingly challenging to stay true to these principles due to external pressures.
Incorporating this quote into daily life encourages us to slow down and focus on doing things right. Think of this post as a reminder to prioritize quality and thoroughness in your work and actions. Rushing through tasks can lead to errors and subpar results, ultimately costing you more time and effort. Additionally, attention to detail and a commitment to quality result in superior work. Whether it’s a simple blog post, a professional project, or playing with your kids, striving for excellence ensures that the final product is something to be proud of 4.
So, the next time there is a temptation or pressure to rush through a task, remember John Wooden’s wise words: If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?
Use this wisdom to remind yourself or your boss of the importance of doing things correctly the first time.
1 So much so, that I have even added it to my professional email signature as a constant reminder to myself and those I communicate with about the importance of prioritizing quality over rushing through tasks. ^
2 This is the second time I’ve had to turn to Gemini due to not being fully satisfied with Copilot (accessing it via my phone because of the mandatory login). While I’m very satisfied with Gemini and even considered making a switch, the login issue remains a significant hindrance. ^
3 I’d like to take this opportunity to share my second favorite quote by the legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi:: Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.
In its more concise form: Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
^
4 I grew up with a small frame in my parent’s kitchen that read, Un travail bien fait rend heureux.
This translates to “a job well done makes you happy.” This adage has remained etched in my memory, serving as a constant reminder of the value of quality and thoroughness in everything I do. ^