--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I don't have a deadline, I could fuss…" description: "\"If I don't have a deadline, I could fuss around with stuff for forever.\" — Jim Shaw" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e35/jim-shaw-31101_deadline_if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss_575838.jpg" --- # If I don't have a deadline, I could fuss around with stuff… ![“If I don't have a deadline, I could fuss around with stuff for forever.” quote by Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e35/jim-shaw-31101_deadline_if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss_575838.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e35/jim-shaw-31101_deadline_if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss_575838.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e35/jim-shaw-31101_deadline_if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss_575838.jpg) > “If I don't have a deadline, I could fuss around with stuff for forever.” [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Deadlines create focus; without them, work can drift endlessly, highlighting the need for time constraints. **In simple terms:** Deadlines keep projects on track. Key Takeaway Set clear deadlines to avoid endless tweaking. Themes productivity time management focus Mood motivational pragmatic Type advice reflective When to use this quote - writing - design - software development Key Concepts deadline motivation project planning Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance deadlines with quality? - What self‑imposed deadlines work for you? A Different Perspective Deadlines can cause stress or rushed quality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [I used to always read my stuff. And I could never understand why artists would say, 'Oh, I can't read my older stuff.' I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-hernandez/i-used-to-always-read-my-stuff-and-i-could-never-understand-why/) [Jaime Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-hernandez/) > [The way u make me feel is the stuff forever is made of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ne-yo/the-way-u-make-me-feel-is-the-stuff-forever-is-made-of/) [Ne-yo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ne-yo/) > [I am quite happy that the Beatles came and went. There is even a sort of glory in not having it go on forever.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/i-am-quite-happy-that-the-beatles-came-and-went-there-is-even-a-sort/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [There are no unrealistic goals, only unrealistic deadlines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/there-are-no-unrealistic-goals-only-unrealistic-deadlines/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Publishing is, by its nature, about deadlines, and deadlines are toxic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-karon/publishing-is-by-its-nature-about-deadlines-and-deadlines-are-toxic/) [Jan Karon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-karon/) > [I think setting goals is critical; having deadlines for ourselves- how much by when? Too many people have these big dreams where they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/i-think-setting-goals-is-critical-having-deadlines-for-ourselves-how/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) > [“There is one surefire way to produce bad writing: submit to the slavery of a deadline.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavia-id/there-is-one-surefire-way-to-produce-bad-writing-submit-to-the/) Flavia Idà > [Nothing focuses attention like a real deadline. If you are in a field where life and death, or having a job or not having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry/nothing-focuses-attention-like-a-real-deadline-if-you-are-in-a-field/) [John Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry/) > [Nero wasn't worried at all when he heard the utterance of the Delphic Oracle: "Beware the age of seventy-three." Plenty of time to enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-p-cavafy/nero-wasn-t-worried-at-all-when-he-heard-the-utterance-of-the-delphic/) [C.P. Cavafy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-p-cavafy/) > [Everybody in the real world will agree - the moment a project is behind deadline, quality assurance tends to go out the window.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cox/everybody-in-the-real-world-will-agree-the-moment-a-project-is-behind/) Alan Cox > [“Pakiramdam ko e andami kong naiisip na dehins magawa dahil alang deadline. Nasanay ata ko sa school tsaka sa trabaho na lahat may deadline.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manix-abrera/pakiramdam-ko-e-andami-kong-naiisip-na-dehins-magawa-dahil-alang/) Manix Abrera > [I always think the most important thing for a writer is a deadline, and it's the same with a house. They say you shouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriana-trigiani/i-always-think-the-most-important-thing-for-a-writer-is-a-deadline/) [Adriana Trigiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriana-trigiani/) > [All writers are forced to live within deadlines, and deadlines determine how good they can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-o-donnell/all-writers-are-forced-to-live-within-deadlines-and-deadlines/) [Lawrence O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-o-donnell/) > [Two things you need to know about taxes. They've extended the deadline to April 18, and when you write your check, just make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/two-things-you-need-to-know-about-taxes-they-ve-extended-the-deadline/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) ## More by Jim Shaw > [When you're younger, you go out and you're convivial because you have to be. But once you don't have to meet people anymore, what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/when-you-re-younger-you-go-out-and-you-re-convivial-because-you-have/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [There's a lot of different kinds of success. I'm so dedicated to the making of the art that the rest of my life atrophies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/there-s-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-success-i-m-so-dedicated-to-the/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [Warhol was a prime example of a schizoid person. Maybe he had Asperger's, or maybe he was just an amorous human being on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/warhol-was-a-prime-example-of-a-schizoid-person-maybe-he-had-asperger/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [There's so much art and it's gotten so flashy. In the global marketplace, having art that's shiny and has neon lights is almost what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/there-s-so-much-art-and-it-s-gotten-so-flashy-in-the-global/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [There's so many bigger things in the world. The art world is such a tiny little thing compared to wars and migration crises. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/there-s-so-many-bigger-things-in-the-world-the-art-world-is-such-a/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I realized that I wasn't naturally born to good taste. I understand what it is, but I am happy to wear bright colors. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-realized-that-i-wasn-t-naturally-born-to-good-taste-i-understand/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I feel like I have to avoid certain thrift store-isms, having been known for the thrift store paintings. It's like I have to not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-feel-like-i-have-to-avoid-certain-thrift-store-isms-having-been/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [The one thing I'm jealous of a signature-artist situation is that if you just do one thing and slight variations on it, you wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/the-one-thing-i-m-jealous-of-a-signature-artist-situation-is-that-if/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I'm getting more and more isolated as I get on in years. I think people's insanity starts to slowly take over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-m-getting-more-and-more-isolated-as-i-get-on-in-years-i-think/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I can never remember names. I'm so self-centered and have a terrible memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-can-never-remember-names-i-m-so-self-centered-and-have-a-terrible/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [They say the one thing that people who live the longest have in common is that they have a religious belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/they-say-the-one-thing-that-people-who-live-the-longest-have-in/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I feel like schizoid is a precursor to schizophrenia or manic depression. I feel like I'm manic. I have parts of schizoid, parts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-feel-like-schizoid-is-a-precursor-to-schizophrenia-or-manic/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [One thing I noticed over time is that if I got a bad review, usually the bad part of it was at the very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/one-thing-i-noticed-over-time-is-that-if-i-got-a-bad-review-usually/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I've had far more success than I ever expected. But I do think that a lot of successful artists have an aim to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-ve-had-far-more-success-than-i-ever-expected-but-i-do-think-that-a/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [I'm jealous of that time when you could afford lofts and survive on almost nothing. You can't do that anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/i-m-jealous-of-that-time-when-you-could-afford-lofts-and-survive-on/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) [Explore all 16 Jim Shaw quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) ## More Deadline quotes > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [Two things you need to know about taxes. They've extended the deadline to April 18, and when you write your check, just make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/two-things-you-need-to-know-about-taxes-they-ve-extended-the-deadline/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [All writers are forced to live within deadlines, and deadlines determine how good they can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-o-donnell/all-writers-are-forced-to-live-within-deadlines-and-deadlines/) [Lawrence O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-o-donnell/) > [I always think the most important thing for a writer is a deadline, and it's the same with a house. They say you shouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriana-trigiani/i-always-think-the-most-important-thing-for-a-writer-is-a-deadline/) [Adriana Trigiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriana-trigiani/) > [“Pakiramdam ko e andami kong naiisip na dehins magawa dahil alang deadline. Nasanay ata ko sa school tsaka sa trabaho na lahat may deadline.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manix-abrera/pakiramdam-ko-e-andami-kong-naiisip-na-dehins-magawa-dahil-alang/) Manix Abrera > [Everybody in the real world will agree - the moment a project is behind deadline, quality assurance tends to go out the window.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cox/everybody-in-the-real-world-will-agree-the-moment-a-project-is-behind/) Alan Cox > [Nero wasn't worried at all when he heard the utterance of the Delphic Oracle: "Beware the age of seventy-three." Plenty of time to enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-p-cavafy/nero-wasn-t-worried-at-all-when-he-heard-the-utterance-of-the-delphic/) [C.P. Cavafy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-p-cavafy/) > [Nothing focuses attention like a real deadline. If you are in a field where life and death, or having a job or not having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry/nothing-focuses-attention-like-a-real-deadline-if-you-are-in-a-field/) [John Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry/) > [“There is one surefire way to produce bad writing: submit to the slavery of a deadline.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavia-id/there-is-one-surefire-way-to-produce-bad-writing-submit-to-the/) Flavia Idà > [I think setting goals is critical; having deadlines for ourselves- how much by when? Too many people have these big dreams where they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/i-think-setting-goals-is-critical-having-deadlines-for-ourselves-how/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) > [Publishing is, by its nature, about deadlines, and deadlines are toxic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-karon/publishing-is-by-its-nature-about-deadlines-and-deadlines-are-toxic/) [Jan Karon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-karon/) > [There are no unrealistic goals, only unrealistic deadlines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/there-are-no-unrealistic-goals-only-unrealistic-deadlines/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Without deadlines and restrictions I just tend to become preoccupied with other things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/without-deadlines-and-restrictions-i-just-tend-to-become-preoccupied/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [Most lawsuits against the EPA historically have come either because of the agency's lack of regard for a statute or because the EPA failed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-pruitt/most-lawsuits-against-the-epa-historically-have-come-either-because/) [Scott Pruitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-pruitt/) > [“The deadline is at midnight in America; dawn, 5 A.M., in England, and 8:00 A.M., early morning, in Iraq. The Americans tie yellow ribbons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betool-khedairi/the-deadline-is-at-midnight-in-america-dawn-5-a-m-in-england-and-8-00/) Betool Khedairi Browse all 405 Deadline quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I don't have a deadline, I could fuss around with stuff for forever.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jim Shaw" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss-around-with-stuff-for-forever/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Deadline" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss-around-with-stuff-for-forever/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e35/jim-shaw-31101_deadline_if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss_575838.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e35/jim-shaw-31101_deadline_if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss_575838.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e35/jim-shaw-31101_deadline_if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss_575838.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I don't have a deadline, I could fuss around with stuff for forever.” — Jim Shaw", "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": "Jim Shaw", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I don't have a deadline,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss-around-with-stuff-for-forever/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/if-i-don-t-have-a-deadline-i-could-fuss-around-with-stuff-for-forever/#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 } } ] } ```