Things rarely get stuck because of lack of time… they get stuck because we haven’t clearly defined the very first step. It’s a game-changer for productivity.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that procrastination isn’t a time management problem; it’s a clarity problem. The real barrier is the mental fog surrounding the task itself.
Explanation
Let me break this down for you. We’ve all been there, right? Staring at a project on our to-do list for weeks. You tell yourself, “I just don’t have the time.” But that’s a story we tell ourselves. The real truth, the one I’ve seen play out a thousand times with clients, is that the task is just too vague in your head. “Overhaul website” or “Plan marketing campaign” – these aren’t actions, they’re amorphous blobs of anxiety. Your brain looks at that and just… freezes. It doesn’t know where to start. But the moment you break it down and define the very next physical action – like “Email Sarah for the analytics login” or “Sketch three headline ideas on a notepad” – the logjam breaks. The doing becomes possible. It’s a shift from being a victim of your workload to being the architect of it.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Personal Development (697) |
| Topics | clarity (95), definition (5), execution (14) |
| Literary Style | analytical (121), precise (9) |
| Emotion / Mood | realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 69 (33) |
Origin & Factcheck
This wisdom comes straight from David Allen’s 2001 productivity classic, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. It’s a cornerstone of the entire GTD methodology, which was developed and refined in the United States. You won’t find it falsely attributed to anyone else because it’s so uniquely central to his system.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | David Allen (50) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (50) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
David Allen created the GTD methodology and helped millions organize work and life with clear, actionable steps. He began as a management consultant, refined GTD through client engagements, and published Getting Things Done in 2001, followed by Ready for Anything and Making It All Work. He founded the David Allen Company and expanded GTD training globally, later relocating to Amsterdam to support international growth. A sought-after speaker and advisor, he remains a leading voice on clarity, focus, and execution. Explore the David Allen book list for essential reads.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Things rarely get stuck because of lack of time. They get stuck because the doing of them has not been defined |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2001; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-0143126560; Last edition: Revised edition published 2015; Number of pages: 352. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 6: Clarifying, Approximate page 120 (2015 edition) |