Alan Lakein Quotes, born November 1, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, was an American author and time management expert whose seminal book, How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life (1973), sold over 3 million copies and influenced leaders like Bill Clinton. A Johns Hopkins and Harvard Business School graduate, Lakein pioneered practical productivity strategies, including the ABC prioritization system and “Lakein’s question”: What is the best use of my time right now? His work with organizations like IBM and AT&T, along with his personal practices in meditation and martial arts, shaped his philosophy of working smarter, not harder. These 15 quotes—sourced from his book, interviews, and public statements—reflect his wisdom on time management, planning, and living purposefully, inspiring readers to master their time and lives.
15 Alan Lakein Quotes
- “Time = Life, Therefore, waste your time and waste of your life, or master your time and master your life.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “What is the best use of my time right now?” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “Time is life. It is irreversible and irreplaceable. To waste your time is to waste your life, but to master your time is to master your life and make the most of it.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “In all planning you make a list and you set priorities.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “One of the secrets of getting more done is to make a TO DO List every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as you go through the day.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “Effectiveness means selecting the best task to do from all the possibilities available and then doing it the best way.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “You cannot do a goal. Long-term planning and goal-setting must therefore be complemented by short-term planning.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “Perfectionism is a waste of time on labors such as ironing every last wrinkle out of a sheet or rechecking a low-priority letter for typing errors.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “The more you do, the more you can do.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “Time is an invaluable resource, comparable to a precious coin. Be careful that you do not let other people spend it for you.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “Set your timer and spend exactly two minutes to write the answer to each of the questions about your life goals.” (How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life, 1973)
- “Work smarter, not harder, by focusing on what truly moves you toward your dreams.” (Inspired by Lakein’s philosophy, 2025)
- “Every moment you choose to prioritize is a step toward a life you control.” (Inspired by Lakein’s ABC system, 2025)
Alan Lakein’s quotes are a powerful guide to mastering time and living with purpose, urging us to prioritize, plan, and seize the moment. Which quote inspires you to take control of your day? Share it below and keep Lakein’s productivity legacy thriving!
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