---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a tremendous amount. The focus…"
description: "\"“It is a tremendous amount. The focus should be on “need to know” versus “nice to know.”\" — Caroline Porter Thomas"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/caroline-porter-thomas-23497_need_it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-shou_2880245.jpg"
---

#  It is a tremendous amount. The focus should be on “need to…

![“It is a tremendous amount. The focus should be on “need to know” versus “nice to know.” quote by Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/caroline-porter-thomas-23497_need_it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-shou_2880245.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/caroline-porter-thomas-23497_need_it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-shou_2880245.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/caroline-porter-thomas-23497_need_it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-shou_2880245.jpg)

> ““It is a tremendous amount. The focus should be on “need to know” versus “nice to know.””

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Prioritize essential knowledge over optional details to stay focused and efficient.

**In simple terms:** Focus on what you must know.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize essential over optional.

Themes

focus efficiency learning

Mood

pragmatic analytical

Type

advice professional

When to use this quote

- project planning
- study habits
- decision making
- team meetings

Key Concepts

cognitive load information hierarchy

Questions to Reflect On

- What can you let go of?
- How do you balance depth and breadth?

A Different Perspective

Over‑prioritizing basics can limit innovation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [What you think you know versus what you actually learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/what-you-think-you-know-versus-what-you-actually-learn/)

[Sarah Jessica Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jessica-parker/)

> [The real key is time management and being able to focus on what you need to, on using every available minute to accomplish something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-j-anderson/the-real-key-is-time-management-and-being-able-to-focus-on-what-you/)

[Kevin J. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-j-anderson/)

> [In a relationship, you cannot just focus only on yourself. You need to understand each other and prove that you value the relationship and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/in-a-relationship-you-cannot-just-focus-only-on-yourself-you-need-to/)

[Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/)

> [“It's always been important for writers to be disciplined but now even more so. In addition to the traditional displacement activities like cleaning the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/it-s-always-been-important-for-writers-to-be-disciplined-but-now-even/)

[Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/)

> [Our focus must be on what we need to change about ourselves-our attitudes, our words, our actions-even if our circumstances and the other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-focus-must-be-on-what-we-need-to-change-about-ourselves-our/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Looking back is a form of insanity, given that I could really never understand what everybody else was thinking. I find these days that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-bowler/looking-back-is-a-form-of-insanity-given-that-i-could-really-never/)

[Grant Bowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-bowler/)

> [I guess there are people who are like, 'Here's one thing, and I'm gonna do it,' but I can't. I don't have the capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-marino/i-guess-there-are-people-who-are-like-here-s-one-thing-and-i-m-gonna/)

[Ken Marino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-marino/)

> [I would die without goals or a focus. I need something to keep me going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-kaif/i-would-die-without-goals-or-a-focus-i-need-something-to-keep-me-going/)

[Katrina Kaif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-kaif/)

> [Dn't ever listen to what people said on your relationship,focus on what you need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-amud-ahmed-atanda/dn-t-ever-listen-to-what-people-said-on-your-relationship-focus-on/)

[Ma'amud Ahmed Atanda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-amud-ahmed-atanda/)

> [In a relationship, you can't just focus on yourself. You need to understand each other and PROVE that you're meant to be together!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/achmad-tim-bukhari/in-a-relationship-you-can-t-just-focus-on-yourself-you-need-to/)

[Achmad Tim Bukhari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/achmad-tim-bukhari/)

> [I'm just going to also focus on what I need to do, focus on my game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-kenin/i-m-just-going-to-also-focus-on-what-i-need-to-do-focus-on-my-game/)

[Sofia Kenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-kenin/)

> [I can deal with the media; I can deal with some of the criticism I get and still focus on what I need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilfried-zaha/i-can-deal-with-the-media-i-can-deal-with-some-of-the-criticism-i-get/)

[Wilfried Zaha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilfried-zaha/)

> [You can't focus on yourself. You need to focus on what you're doing for others, and then you can start to heal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-irwin/you-can-t-focus-on-yourself-you-need-to-focus-on-what-you-re-doing/)

[Terri Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-irwin/)

> [Focus on where you need to be in life and once you've reached it, you will see the people who belong in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-rose/focus-on-where-you-need-to-be-in-life-and-once-you-ve-reached-it-you/)

Hannah Rose

> [Where focus goes, energy flows. And where energy flows, whatever you're focusing on grows. In other words, your life is controlled by what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/where-focus-goes-energy-flows-and-where-energy-flows-whatever-you-re/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

## More by Caroline Porter Thomas

> [“Scheduling should be done several times each day, beginning the night before and continuing at additional times the next day. Prioritize your assignments, exams,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/scheduling-should-be-done-several-times-each-day-beginning-the-night/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“I went to Audible.com and picked up books from my favorite authors! I selected the book I wanted, the first one of which was,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/i-went-to-audible-com-and-picked-up-books-from-my-favorite-authors-i/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“The way you do this is you get NCLEX review CDs or DVDs, which you can find anywhere. I personally used ATI, which stands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/the-way-you-do-this-is-you-get-nclex-review-cds-or-dvds-which-you-can/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“The NCLEX is based on one basic principle. That is, will the test taker be “safe” while practicing nursing?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/the-nclex-is-based-on-one-basic-principle-that-is-will-the-test-taker/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“To begin, look over the chapters by glancing at the content on the pages. Set aside about 30 minutes every four to five hours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/to-begin-look-over-the-chapters-by-glancing-at-the-content-on-the/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“What is the biggest contributor that you feel helped students pass the NCLEX examination? “Practice questions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/what-is-the-biggest-contributor-that-you-feel-helped-students-pass/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“Furthermore, if you watch a few of the free YouTube videos and decide you would want to hear more, you can buy the speaker’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/furthermore-if-you-watch-a-few-of-the-free-youtube-videos-and-decide/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“them is the actions they took. He really puts things in perspective for you. Another”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/them-is-the-actions-they-took-he-really-puts-things-in-perspective/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“They all believe we were put here for a purpose and that not one second of our day is a mistake. They even point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/they-all-believe-we-were-put-here-for-a-purpose-and-that-not-one/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“Do not give up because if you truly are persistent, you will succeed. Two things that helped me through those difficult times were positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/do-not-give-up-because-if-you-truly-are-persistent-you-will-succeed/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“am committed to using my time in the best way I can and the only way I have found to do that is by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/am-committed-to-using-my-time-in-the-best-way-i-can-and-the-only-way/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“Not really. It’s more an attitude and core belief that they can and will be successful rather than a cliché.” JoAnn”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/not-really-it-s-more-an-attitude-and-core-belief-that-they-can-and/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“So my advice to you is to study the material at least three times first using the looking over method, attending lectures, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/so-my-advice-to-you-is-to-study-the-material-at-least-three-times/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“I am speaking about the importance of celebrating your accomplishments! The time after each test is a huge deal; seize the opportunity and celebrate!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/i-am-speaking-about-the-importance-of-celebrating-your/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

> [“I like to remind my students that upon completing nursing school you know a little about everything, but not a lot about anything. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/i-like-to-remind-my-students-that-upon-completing-nursing-school-you/)

[Caroline Porter Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

[Explore all 26 Caroline Porter Thomas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/)

## More Need quotes

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/)

[Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/)

> [I was very lucky to get well known much later in life. You need to have flopped quite a few times to get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/i-was-very-lucky-to-get-well-known-much-later-in-life-you-need-to/)

[George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/)

> [A draft doesn't produce the people we need to satisfy our real manpower shortage. We need specialists to keep our jets flying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-schroeder/a-draft-doesn-t-produce-the-people-we-need-to-satisfy-our-real/)

[Patricia Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-schroeder/)

> [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [U dount need eny cuz when u get in a relaishondhip u love it forever not for crying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/no-athors-name-i-made-it/u-dount-need-eny-cuz-when-u-get-in-a-relaishondhip-u-love-it-forever/)

No Athors Name I Made It

> [I think people need to be comfortable questioning the authority of a doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susannah-cahalan/i-think-people-need-to-be-comfortable-questioning-the-authority-of-a/)

[Susannah Cahalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susannah-cahalan/)

> [Inequality is pervasive but invisible. It's hard to see. You need a sort of tool to make it visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hito-steyerl/inequality-is-pervasive-but-invisible-it-s-hard-to-see-you-need-a/)

[Hito Steyerl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hito-steyerl/)

> [I think I need the demons in order to write, but the demons have gone. It bothers me a lot. I've tried and tried,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wilson/i-think-i-need-the-demons-in-order-to-write-but-the-demons-have-gone/)

[Brian Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wilson/)

> [I really like female singers; I've got zero interest in working with male singers. Any male voice I need to do, I can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devin-townsend/i-really-like-female-singers-i-ve-got-zero-interest-in-working-with/)

[Devin Townsend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devin-townsend/)

> [Receiving the care that you need, and are entitled to, shouldn't be a struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marty-walsh/receiving-the-care-that-you-need-and-are-entitled-to-shouldn-t-be-a/)

[Marty Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marty-walsh/)

> [Anything you pray for, you need to prepare for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-franklin/anything-you-pray-for-you-need-to-prepare-for/)

[DeVon Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-franklin/)

> [If the system should not need parts now, the worker should not produce because you are just absorbing instead of producing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliyahu-goldratt/if-the-system-should-not-need-parts-now-the-worker-should-not-produce/)

[Eliyahu Goldratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliyahu-goldratt/)

> [I really don't think you need a letter on your jersey to be a leader on a hockey club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carey-price/i-really-don-t-think-you-need-a-letter-on-your-jersey-to-be-a-leader/)

[Carey Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carey-price/)

> [The more I trust you, the less details I need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-more-i-trust-you-the-less-details-i-need/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

Browse all 14,164 Need quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“It is a tremendous amount. The focus should be on “need to know” versus “nice to know.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Caroline Porter Thomas"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-should-be-on-need-to-know-versus/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Need"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-should-be-on-need-to-know-versus/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/caroline-porter-thomas-23497_need_it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-shou_2880245.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/caroline-porter-thomas-23497_need_it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-shou_2880245.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/caroline-porter-thomas-23497_need_it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-shou_2880245.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It is a tremendous amount. The focus should be on “need to know” versus “nice to know.” — Caroline Porter Thomas",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Caroline Porter Thomas",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-porter-thomas/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“It is a tremendous amount. The...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-should-be-on-need-to-know-versus/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-porter-thomas/it-is-a-tremendous-amount-the-focus-should-be-on-need-to-know-versus/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
