--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You don't have as much time as you think…" description: "\"You don't have as much time as you think you do. You got to operate like there's a sense of urgency!\" — Eric Thomas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f05/eric-thomas-1758_operate_you-don-t-have-as-much-time-as-you-think_1583349.png" --- # You don't have as much time as you think you do. You got… ![“You don't have as much time as you think you do. You got to operate like there's a sense of urgency!” quote by Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f05/eric-thomas-1758_operate_you-don-t-have-as-much-time-as-you-think_1583349.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f05/eric-thomas-1758_operate_you-don-t-have-as-much-time-as-you-think_1583349.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f05/eric-thomas-1758_operate_you-don-t-have-as-much-time-as-you-think_1583349.png) > “You don't have as much time as you think you do. You got to operate like there's a sense of urgency!” [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Time feels limited; act with urgency. **In simple terms:** Act as if time is short. Key Takeaway Prioritize urgent actions. Themes time urgency motivation Mood energetic determined Type motivational practical When to use this quote - career deadlines - personal fitness - project launches - emergency response Key Concepts productivity goal setting Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance urgency with sustainability? - What tasks truly need immediate action? A Different Perspective Urgency can cause burnout if misapplied. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Got Operate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got-operate-5984826/) [Operate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/operate/) [Operate Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/operate-like-5984825/) [Sense of urgency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-urgency/) [Sense Urgency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-urgency/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Urgency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/urgency/) ## Related quotes > [So many people are on the front lines of this fossil fuel frenzy. It is infused with a sense of urgency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avi-lewis/so-many-people-are-on-the-front-lines-of-this-fossil-fuel-frenzy-it/) [Avi Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avi-lewis/) > [Being constantly the hub of a network of potential interruptions provides the excitement and importance of crisis management. As well as the false sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-foley/being-constantly-the-hub-of-a-network-of-potential-interruptions/) [Michael Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-foley/) > [You must take action now that will move you towards your goals. Develop a sense of urgency in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/you-must-take-action-now-that-will-move-you-towards-your-goals/) [H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/) > [IBM needed - an enormous sense of urgency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-gerstner/ibm-needed-an-enormous-sense-of-urgency/) [Lou Gerstner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-gerstner/) > [You feel a sense of urgency, especially at my advanced age, when you're staring into the grave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-mccourt/you-feel-a-sense-of-urgency-especially-at-my-advanced-age-when-you-re/) [Frank McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-mccourt/) > [When I was coming out of the dark places in my life, it's like, 'Man, you've come that close to not being here anymore,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-waller/when-i-was-coming-out-of-the-dark-places-in-my-life-it-s-like-man-you/) [Darren Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-waller/) > [The sense of urgency has almost completely vanished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/the-sense-of-urgency-has-almost-completely-vanished/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [I'm a little more measured. That sense of urgency I thought accompanied things - it can take a little longer. You have to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arad/i-m-a-little-more-measured-that-sense-of-urgency-i-thought/) [Michael Arad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arad/) > [Throughout all of human history we've enjoyed certain benign circumstances: an envelope of atmosphere, an envelope of temperature. A kind of resilience that if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-earle/throughout-all-of-human-history-we-ve-enjoyed-certain-benign/) [Sylvia Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-earle/) > [There's a thin line between playing with a sense of urgency and playing a little too tight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-slater/there-s-a-thin-line-between-playing-with-a-sense-of-urgency-and/) [Matthew Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-slater/) > [There's a sense of urgency in understanding that your body is not really your own. We can control it to a certain extent through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sufjan-stevens/there-s-a-sense-of-urgency-in-understanding-that-your-body-is-not/) [Sufjan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sufjan-stevens/) > [I have a sense of urgency, of time. I am a woman and am always running between work, doctors' appointments, school meetings, filling up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segolene-royal/i-have-a-sense-of-urgency-of-time-i-am-a-woman-and-am-always-running/) [Segolene Royal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/segolene-royal/) > [Develop a sense of urgency in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/develop-a-sense-of-urgency-in-your-life/) [H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/) > [Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/without-a-sense-of-urgency-desire-loses-its-value/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [I just think we want to stay healthy, and I don't think we think about a sense of urgency. We realize how old we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-malone/i-just-think-we-want-to-stay-healthy-and-i-don-t-think-we-think-about/) [Karl Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-malone/) ## More by Eric Thomas > [Your relationships will either make you or break you and there is no such thing as a neutral relationship. People either inspire you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/your-relationships-will-either-make-you-or-break-you-and-there-is-no/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [At some point in life you have to face your fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/at-some-point-in-life-you-have-to-face-your-fears/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [When you're great! You attract great! When you're average! You attract average!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/when-you-re-great-you-attract-great-when-you-re-average-you-attract/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [“It's not easy, but it's simple.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/it-s-not-easy-but-it-s-simple/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [I kind of knew that there were a lot of people that didn't go to church and normally wouldn't listen to people, but they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/i-kind-of-knew-that-there-were-a-lot-of-people-that-didn-t-go-to/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [Las Vegas doesn't allow ( tourism ) to dictate the social norms of their community. We don't have to be a boring town that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/las-vegas-doesn-t-allow-tourism-to-dictate-the-social-norms-of-their/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [Where there is no struggle, there is absolutely no progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/where-there-is-no-struggle-there-is-absolutely-no-progress/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [You can change environments, but until you change yourself, nothing else will ever change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/you-can-change-environments-but-until-you-change-yourself-nothing/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [If you are going to win the fight of your life, you can't be afraid to fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/if-you-are-going-to-win-the-fight-of-your-life-you-can-t-be-afraid-to/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [Apply the ABC’s of success to your life. Ask, Believe and Claim It.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/apply-the-abc-s-of-success-to-your-life-ask-believe-and-claim-it/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [“IDENTIFY your CHALLENGE area. Describe the thoughts that you commonly have in that area. Describe the things that you commonly say concerning that area…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/identify-your-challenge-area-describe-the-thoughts-that-you-commonly/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [If you sleep,you will miss the OPPORTUNITY to be successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/if-you-sleep-you-will-miss-the-opportunity-to-be-successful/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [Sometimes it ain’t about being the most talented. Sometimes it ain’t about being the smartest. Sometimes it’s not even about working the hardest. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/sometimes-it-ain-t-about-being-the-most-talented-sometimes-it-ain-t/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [The difference between those who succeed and fail: not taking advantage of opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/the-difference-between-those-who-succeed-and-fail-not-taking/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [I think my greatest strengths are my hands. I am also good at getting separation from the defender and finding ways to get open.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/i-think-my-greatest-strengths-are-my-hands-i-am-also-good-at-getting/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) [Explore all 210 Eric Thomas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) ## More Operate quotes > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [What we prefer to do is operate our investment bank in a way that is like what investment banks used to be, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-stephens/what-we-prefer-to-do-is-operate-our-investment-bank-in-a-way-that-is/) [Warren Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-stephens/) > [Will capitalist economies operate at full employment in the absence of routine intervention? Certainly not. Are deviations from full employment a social problem? Obviously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-yellen/will-capitalist-economies-operate-at-full-employment-in-the-absence/) [Janet Yellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-yellen/) > [In 'Self Comes to Mind' I pay a lot of attention to simple creatures without brains or minds, because those 'cartooned abstractions of who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-damasio/in-self-comes-to-mind-i-pay-a-lot-of-attention-to-simple-creatures/) [Antonio Damasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-damasio/) > [In New York, we're always confined with spaces. Our restaurants are difficult to navigate as cooks and to operate. We fight against the buildings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chang/in-new-york-we-re-always-confined-with-spaces-our-restaurants-are/) [David Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chang/) > [I think growing up in South Africa, and then moving to Canada, I'm just genuinely interested in the difference between the First World and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-blomkamp/i-think-growing-up-in-south-africa-and-then-moving-to-canada-i-m-just/) [Neill Blomkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-blomkamp/) > [Of all the surgeries I've had, there's not much left to operate on. I am totally bionic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-clemons/of-all-the-surgeries-i-ve-had-there-s-not-much-left-to-operate-on-i/) [Clarence Clemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-clemons/) > [All business must have a social license to operate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharan-burrow/all-business-must-have-a-social-license-to-operate/) [Sharan Burrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharan-burrow/) > [I operate by the seat of my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-finks/i-operate-by-the-seat-of-my-pants/) [Jim Finks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-finks/) > [There are not many companies in China that dare to say in public, 'We don't offer bribes', or companies that operate only by market…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wang-jianlin/there-are-not-many-companies-in-china-that-dare-to-say-in-public-we/) [Wang Jianlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wang-jianlin/) > [“Overcome the prideful need to measure your worth by how much more successful you are than others, by operating from a core belief grounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-norton/overcome-the-prideful-need-to-measure-your-worth-by-how-much-more/) [Richie Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-norton/) > [I am trying to persuade my family to spend more time in China. It's no fun to be in exile. I can't even figure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/i-am-trying-to-persuade-my-family-to-spend-more-time-in-china-it-s-no/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [I was a co-operator too in the sense that I non-co-operated for co-operation, and even then I said that if I could carry the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-was-a-co-operator-too-in-the-sense-that-i-non-co-operated-for-co/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Judges have to have the humility to recognize that they operate within a system of precedent, shaped by other judges equally striving to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-roberts/judges-have-to-have-the-humility-to-recognize-that-they-operate/) [John Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-roberts/) > [Conservatives want smaller government. They want to focus on market-based solutions wherever one can. They want to have as little regulation as possible. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-ornstein/conservatives-want-smaller-government-they-want-to-focus-on-market/) [Norman Ornstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-ornstein/) [Browse all 163 Operate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/operate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You don't have as much time as you think you do. 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