--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It may sound paradoxical, but however…" description: "\"It may sound paradoxical, but however tight our schedule, however many things clamor to be done, we don't need to hurry. If we can keep our mind calm a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/eknath-easwaran-7274_accomplish_it-may-sound-paradoxical-but-however-tig_2019195.jpg" --- # It may sound paradoxical, but however tight our schedule… ![“It may sound paradoxical, but however tight our schedule, however many things clamor to be done, we don't need to hurry. If we can keep our mind calm and go about our business with undivided attention, we will not only accomplish more but we'll do a better job - and find ourselves more patient…” quote by Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/eknath-easwaran-7274_accomplish_it-may-sound-paradoxical-but-however-tig_2019195.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/eknath-easwaran-7274_accomplish_it-may-sound-paradoxical-but-however-tig_2019195.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/eknath-easwaran-7274_accomplish_it-may-sound-paradoxical-but-however-tig_2019195.jpg) > “It may sound paradoxical, but however tight our schedule, however many things clamor to be done, we don't need to hurry. If we can keep our mind calm and go about our business with undivided attention, we will not only accomplish more but we'll do a better job - and find ourselves more patient, more at peace.” [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Calm, focused attention yields higher quality work and inner peace, regardless of a busy schedule. **In simple terms:** Stay calm and focused to work better and feel peaceful. Key Takeaway Practice mindfulness to improve productivity and serenity. Themes mindfulness productivity inner peace time management Mood reflective encouraging Type inspirational self‑help When to use this quote - workplace tasks - personal projects - studying - creative endeavors Key Concepts Focused attention stress reduction Questions to Reflect On - Can you work faster without calm? - What tasks benefit most from undivided attention? A Different Perspective Hustle culture may undervalue deliberate calm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplish/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Better job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-job/) [Better jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-jobs/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Calm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm/) [Calm Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm-business-3648524/) [Clamor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clamor/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Hurry Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurry-mind-1629666/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind Calm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-calm/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Paradoxical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradoxical/) [Patient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patient/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Schedules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schedules/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Tight Schedule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tight-schedule-3546805/) [Undivided attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undivided-attention/) ## Related quotes > [Mind is always in a hurry, and mind is always in search of instantaneous realizations. To wait, for the mind, is very difficult, almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/mind-is-always-in-a-hurry-and-mind-is-always-in-search-of/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [There is no hurry anywhere else except in your mind. If you really want to be in a state of peace and joy, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/there-is-no-hurry-anywhere-else-except-in-your-mind-if-you-really/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Eventually, meditation will make our mind calm, clear, and as concentrated as a laser which we can focus at will. This capacity of one-pointed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/eventually-meditation-will-make-our-mind-calm-clear-and-as/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [I couldn't run a tight schedule, and if you're any good at teaching, you get sucked dry because you like your students and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harrison/i-couldn-t-run-a-tight-schedule-and-if-you-re-any-good-at-teaching/) [Jim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harrison/) > [In our case, with 'Raze,' we had a really, really tight schedule. We shot something like 17 fights in three and a half weeks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/in-our-case-with-raze-we-had-a-really-really-tight-schedule-we-shot/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I keep a really tight schedule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-martin/i-keep-a-really-tight-schedule/) [Coco Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-martin/) > [“I wish him luck fitting in my tight...schedule.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandra-ninkovic/i-wish-him-luck-fitting-in-my-tight-schedule/) [Aleksandra Ninković](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandra-ninkovic/) > [After going through a really tight schedule and sharing some great moments with a team, the last day shoot always turns out to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/koel-mallick/after-going-through-a-really-tight-schedule-and-sharing-some-great/) [Koel Mallick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/koel-mallick/) > [If the mind is calm, your spontaneity and honest thoughts appear. You become more spontaneous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chade-meng-tan/if-the-mind-is-calm-your-spontaneity-and-honest-thoughts-appear-you/) [Chade-Meng Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chade-meng-tan/) > [Disputation carries away the mind from that calm and sedate temper which is so necessary to contemplate truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-watts/disputation-carries-away-the-mind-from-that-calm-and-sedate-temper/) [Isaac Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-watts/) > [Less oft peace in Shelley's mind, Than calm in waters seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/less-oft-peace-in-shelley-s-mind-than-calm-in-waters-seen/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [When you meditate you have to try to quiet and calm the mind. There should be no thought within the mind. Right now you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/when-you-meditate-you-have-to-try-to-quiet-and-calm-the-mind-there/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [As you focus your attention on the heart center, you will begin to feel your thoughts slowing down. You'll begin to feel your mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/as-you-focus-your-attention-on-the-heart-center-you-will-begin-to/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [In meditation, healing can happen. When the mind is calm, alert and totally contented, then it is like a laser beam - it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/in-meditation-healing-can-happen-when-the-mind-is-calm-alert-and/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Fitness is not just about the body. It is also about the mind. It is the mental pressure that leads to physical ailments. Therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/fitness-is-not-just-about-the-body-it-is-also-about-the-mind-it-is/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) ## More by Eknath Easwaran > [When we truly are putting others first, we cannot but feel at peace with ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/when-we-truly-are-putting-others-first-we-cannot-but-feel-at-peace/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [The real essentials of life - compassion, kindness, good will, forgiveness - are what is fundamental to living as a true human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/the-real-essentials-of-life-compassion-kindness-good-will-forgiveness/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [At the beginning of every winter people are careful to install storm windows. These extra panes of glass protect their houses against the bitter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/at-the-beginning-of-every-winter-people-are-careful-to-install-storm/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [A calm mind releases the most precious capacity a human being can have: the capacity to turn anger into compassion, fear into fearlessness, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/a-calm-mind-releases-the-most-precious-capacity-a-human-being-can/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [Don't think the purpose of meditation is to go deep into consciousness, wrap a blanket around yourself, and say, 'How cozy! I'm going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/don-t-think-the-purpose-of-meditation-is-to-go-deep-into/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [Meditation may require a lifetime to master, but it will have been a lifetime well spent. ... If you want to judge your progress,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/meditation-may-require-a-lifetime-to-master-but-it-will-have-been-a/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [“Meditation is the basis of a life of splendid health, untiring energy, unfailing love, and abiding wisdom. It is the very foundation of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/meditation-is-the-basis-of-a-life-of-splendid-health-untiring-energy/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [Love is so exquisitely elusive. It cannot be bought, cannot be badgered, cannot be hijacked. It is available only in one rare form: as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/love-is-so-exquisitely-elusive-it-cannot-be-bought-cannot-be-badgered/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [Meditation is warm-up exercise for the mind, so that you can jog through the rest of the day without getting agitated or spraining your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/meditation-is-warm-up-exercise-for-the-mind-so-that-you-can-jog/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [By removing that which is petty and self-seeking, we bring forth all that is glorious and mindful of the whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/by-removing-that-which-is-petty-and-self-seeking-we-bring-forth-all/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [As we get deeper, we move closer and closer to other people; we feel closer to life as a whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/as-we-get-deeper-we-move-closer-and-closer-to-other-people-we-feel/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [To be secure everywhere is the mark of sophistication, to be unshakable is the mark of courage, to be permanently in love with every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/to-be-secure-everywhere-is-the-mark-of-sophistication-to-be/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [When the mind is still, we can become an instrument of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/when-the-mind-is-still-we-can-become-an-instrument-of-peace/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [It is not action or effort that we must surrender; it is self-will, and this is terribly difficult. You must do your best constantly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/it-is-not-action-or-effort-that-we-must-surrender-it-is-self-will-and/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [“We expect professional and financial success to require time and effort. Why do we take success in our relationships for granted? Why should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/we-expect-professional-and-financial-success-to-require-time-and/) [eknath easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) [Explore all 93 Eknath Easwaran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) ## More Accomplish quotes > [Learn to see the big picture. Often times we get tunnel vision and lose sight of the big picture and what we're really trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/learn-to-see-the-big-picture-often-times-we-get-tunnel-vision-and/) [Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/) > [You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-know-by-the-time-you-reach-my-age-you-ve-made-plenty-of-mistakes/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I work every day. Sometimes I don't accomplish anything every day, but if I don't work every day, I get depressed and get afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-work-every-day-sometimes-i-don-t-accomplish-anything-every-day-but/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [God has given believers the responsibility of spreading the Gospel to all the world, and we need to use all at our disposal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-epp/god-has-given-believers-the-responsibility-of-spreading-the-gospel-to/) [Theodore Epp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-epp/) > [ \[The Community's\] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-guerin/the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give-me-confidence-but-i-derive-my/) [Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-guerin/) > [There's things that you want to accomplish, but to do that you have to work. That's the name of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-schwarber/there-s-things-that-you-want-to-accomplish-but-to-do-that-you-have-to/) [Kyle Schwarber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-schwarber/) > [To accomplish much you must first lose everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/to-accomplish-much-you-must-first-lose-everything/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [We have to think about the future and what it is we want to accomplish from this party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-bernice-johnson/we-have-to-think-about-the-future-and-what-it-is-we-want-to/) [Eddie Bernice Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-bernice-johnson/) > [Everything that I have ever hoped to accomplish, she has done and done better than anyone I have ever seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hathaway/everything-that-i-have-ever-hoped-to-accomplish-she-has-done-and-done/) [Anne Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hathaway/) > [There's a lot that I want to accomplish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/there-s-a-lot-that-i-want-to-accomplish/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [For what we want to accomplish in the future, we have to be able to view everything from the eyes of the customer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-katz/for-what-we-want-to-accomplish-in-the-future-we-have-to-be-able-to/) [Karen Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-katz/) > [And for me the only way to live life is to grab the bull by the horns and call up recording studios and set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-frusciante/and-for-me-the-only-way-to-live-life-is-to-grab-the-bull-by-the-horns/) [John Frusciante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-frusciante/) > [A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesn't have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/a-great-tennis-career-is-something-that-a-15-year-old-normally-doesn/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [Somebody once told me that if you laugh at a George Bush joke, or you send an email cartoon to your friends that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/somebody-once-told-me-that-if-you-laugh-at-a-george-bush-joke-or-you/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [One should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/one-should-not-withdraw-from-individuals-and-commit-to-the-community/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) [Browse all 2,426 Accomplish quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplish/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It may sound paradoxical, but however tight our schedule, however many things clamor to be done, we don't need to hurry. 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