--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's hard to do nothing because you tend…" description: "\"It's hard to do nothing because you tend to do something and then you have to drop everything.\" — Jerry Seinfeld" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/jerry-seinfeld-880_drop_it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend_120928.jpg" --- # It's hard to do nothing because you tend to do something… ![“It's hard to do nothing because you tend to do something and then you have to drop everything.” quote by Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/jerry-seinfeld-880_drop_it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend_120928.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/jerry-seinfeld-880_drop_it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend_120928.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/jerry-seinfeld-880_drop_it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend_120928.jpg) > “It's hard to do nothing because you tend to do something and then you have to drop everything.” [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The paradox of inactivity: attempting to do nothing often triggers a cascade of tasks, making true idleness elusive. **In simple terms:** Trying to do nothing creates more work. Key Takeaway Inactivity can be self‑defeating. Themes productivity paradox behavior Mood wry reflective Type humorous observational When to use this quote - mindfulness practice - break planning - creative brainstorming Key Concepts psychology of procrastination Practical Applications - schedule intentional downtime without obligations Questions to Reflect On - Why does the mind resist pure stillness? - How can we design effective rest periods? A Different Perspective Some tasks require active engagement; avoidance may delay essential work. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes when things get hard, we tend to set our sights on what's hard, that difficult thing that keeps us upset, and we turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-dean-myers/sometimes-when-things-get-hard-we-tend-to-set-our-sights-on-what-s/) [Walter Dean Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-dean-myers/) > [We're good at taking care of little kids, and spend a lot of energy teaching them things like how to read. But when kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-halse-anderson/we-re-good-at-taking-care-of-little-kids-and-spend-a-lot-of-energy/) [Laurie Halse Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-halse-anderson/) > [I think people live in the past and tend to look that way, because they drop off when they're happiest and most successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-norris/i-think-people-live-in-the-past-and-tend-to-look-that-way-because/) Patricia Norris > [As a comedian, I found this thing, this profession, that suits my mind and life force. To drop it to do something else? I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/as-a-comedian-i-found-this-thing-this-profession-that-suits-my-mind/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [I'll continue making films because I love being able to drop into other people's worlds. My goal is to be constantly learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jehane-noujaim/i-ll-continue-making-films-because-i-love-being-able-to-drop-into/) [Jehane Noujaim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jehane-noujaim/) > [Tune in, turn on, and drop out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/tune-in-turn-on-and-drop-out/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [Will.i.am drop the beat now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergie/will-i-am-drop-the-beat-now/) [Fergie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergie/) > [Boys. Why do they treat me that way? Why do they always play me? Why do they always lead me on and then drop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/boys-why-do-they-treat-me-that-way-why-do-they-always-play-me-why-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'll run against the grain till the day I drop?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-claypool/i-ll-run-against-the-grain-till-the-day-i-drop/) [Les Claypool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-claypool/) > [You do not want to talk to me on the phone. How do I know? Because I don't want to talk to you on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-kluger/you-do-not-want-to-talk-to-me-on-the-phone-how-do-i-know-because-i/) [Jeffrey Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-kluger/) > [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [I'ma pick the world up and I'ma drop it on your fucking head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/i-ma-pick-the-world-up-and-i-ma-drop-it-on-your-fucking-head/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [At the drop of a hat, people will say there are no roles for women after 40. It's there with a bunch of other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-nicol/at-the-drop-of-a-hat-people-will-say-there-are-no-roles-for-women/) [Lesley Nicol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-nicol/) > [Girls are not toys. You can't just pick them up and drop them whenever you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/girls-are-not-toys-you-can-t-just-pick-them-up-and-drop-them-whenever/) Pacifiersucker > [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) ## More by Jerry Seinfeld > [“i chose not to run”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/i-chose-not-to-run/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [We’re all trying to get to the same island, whether you swim, fly, surf, or skydive in, it doesn’t matter. What matters is when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/we-re-all-trying-to-get-to-the-same-island-whether-you-swim-fly-surf/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [I have a nice bookshelf in my office, but not my house. I'm crass, but not that crass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/i-have-a-nice-bookshelf-in-my-office-but-not-my-house-i-m-crass-but/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [There's no downside to fame and people who whine about it make me sick. It's the greatest thing in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/there-s-no-downside-to-fame-and-people-who-whine-about-it-make-me/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [We're all trying to get to the same island — whether you swim, fly, surf, or skydive, it doesn't matter. What matters is when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/we-re-all-trying-to-get-to-the-same-island-whether-you-swim-fly-surf-2/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [I was in the drug store the other day trying to get a cold medication...Not easy. There's an entire wall of products you need.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/i-was-in-the-drug-store-the-other-day-trying-to-get-a-cold-medication/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [I went up to the camp and Paul had me eat my first oyster I had never had an oyster in my life. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/i-went-up-to-the-camp-and-paul-had-me-eat-my-first-oyster-i-had-never/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [Then, finally, the third year, begging the parents, I got the Superman Halloween costume. Cardboard box, self-made top, mask included. Remember the rubber band…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/then-finally-the-third-year-begging-the-parents-i-got-the-superman/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [This is really a crazy idea, you know. It probably won't work, but that will be interesting, too. You have to motivate yourself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/this-is-really-a-crazy-idea-you-know-it-probably-won-t-work-but-that/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [If you get something right, you really feel it, right in your chest, on stage. I think it's an incomparable experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/if-you-get-something-right-you-really-feel-it-right-in-your-chest-on/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [People have an infinite attention span if you are entertaining them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/people-have-an-infinite-attention-span-if-you-are-entertaining-them/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [A really hard laugh is like sex-one of the ultimate diversions of existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/a-really-hard-laugh-is-like-sex-one-of-the-ultimate-diversions-of/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [There are many things you can point to as proof that the human is not smart. But my personal favorite would have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/there-are-many-things-you-can-point-to-as-proof-that-the-human-is-not/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [You know what I never get with the limo? The tinted windows. Is that so people don't see you? Yeah, what a better way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/you-know-what-i-never-get-with-the-limo-the-tinted-windows-is-that-so/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [Crankiness is at the essence of all comedy. My wife and I were discussing the different types of cranky. There's entertaining cranky, annoying cranky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/crankiness-is-at-the-essence-of-all-comedy-my-wife-and-i-were/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) [Explore all 342 Jerry Seinfeld quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) ## More Drop quotes > [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [Girls are not toys. You can't just pick them up and drop them whenever you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/girls-are-not-toys-you-can-t-just-pick-them-up-and-drop-them-whenever/) Pacifiersucker > [At the drop of a hat, people will say there are no roles for women after 40. It's there with a bunch of other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-nicol/at-the-drop-of-a-hat-people-will-say-there-are-no-roles-for-women/) [Lesley Nicol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-nicol/) > [I'ma pick the world up and I'ma drop it on your fucking head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/i-ma-pick-the-world-up-and-i-ma-drop-it-on-your-fucking-head/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [You do not want to talk to me on the phone. How do I know? Because I don't want to talk to you on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-kluger/you-do-not-want-to-talk-to-me-on-the-phone-how-do-i-know-because-i/) [Jeffrey Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-kluger/) > [I'll run against the grain till the day I drop?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-claypool/i-ll-run-against-the-grain-till-the-day-i-drop/) [Les Claypool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-claypool/) > [Boys. Why do they treat me that way? Why do they always play me? Why do they always lead me on and then drop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/boys-why-do-they-treat-me-that-way-why-do-they-always-play-me-why-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Will.i.am drop the beat now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergie/will-i-am-drop-the-beat-now/) [Fergie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergie/) > [Tune in, turn on, and drop out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/tune-in-turn-on-and-drop-out/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [I'll continue making films because I love being able to drop into other people's worlds. My goal is to be constantly learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jehane-noujaim/i-ll-continue-making-films-because-i-love-being-able-to-drop-into/) [Jehane Noujaim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jehane-noujaim/) > [You are not the drop in the ocean, but the ocean in the drop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/you-are-not-the-drop-in-the-ocean-but-the-ocean-in-the-drop/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [A first principle not formally recognized by scientific methodologists: when you run into something interesting, drop everything else and study it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner/a-first-principle-not-formally-recognized-by-scientific/) [B. F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner/) > [Drop Pants, Not Bombs. Break Dance, Not Hearts. Draft Beer, Not People. Make LOVE, Not WAR.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-purdy/drop-pants-not-bombs-break-dance-not-hearts-draft-beer-not-people/) [Ashley Purdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-purdy/) > [“Individually we are just a drop. Together we are an ocean”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryunosuke-satoro/individually-we-are-just-a-drop-together-we-are-an-ocean/) [Ryunosuke Satoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryunosuke-satoro/) Browse all 603 Drop quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's hard to do nothing because you tend to do something and then you have to drop everything.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jerry Seinfeld" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend-to-do-something-and-then-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Drop" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend-to-do-something-and-then-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/jerry-seinfeld-880_drop_it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend_120928.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/jerry-seinfeld-880_drop_it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend_120928.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/jerry-seinfeld-880_drop_it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend_120928.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's hard to do nothing because you tend to do something and then you have to drop everything.” — Jerry Seinfeld", "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": "Jerry Seinfeld", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's hard to do nothing because...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend-to-do-something-and-then-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/it-s-hard-to-do-nothing-because-you-tend-to-do-something-and-then-you/#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 } } ] } ```