--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Recently I had breakfast with Dan Cathy…" description: "\"“Recently I had breakfast with Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, a fast food chain headquartered in the Atlanta area. I told him that I was work..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/john-c-maxwell-113_fast-food_recently-i-had-breakfast-with-dan-cathy_411755.jpg" --- # Recently I had breakfast with Dan Cathy, the president of… ![“Recently I had breakfast with Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, a fast food chain headquartered in the Atlanta area. I told him that I was working on this book and I asked him if he made thinking time a high priority. Not only did he say yes, but he told me about what he calls his “thinking…” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/john-c-maxwell-113_fast-food_recently-i-had-breakfast-with-dan-cathy_411755.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/john-c-maxwell-113_fast-food_recently-i-had-breakfast-with-dan-cathy_411755.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/john-c-maxwell-113_fast-food_recently-i-had-breakfast-with-dan-cathy_411755.jpg) > ““Recently I had breakfast with Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, a fast food chain headquartered in the Atlanta area. I told him that I was working on this book and I asked him if he made thinking time a high priority. Not only did he say yes, but he told me about what he calls his “thinking schedule.” It helps him to fight the hectic pace of life that discourages intentional thinking. Dan says he sets aside time just to think for half a day every two weeks, for one whole day every month, and for two or three full days every year. Dan explains, “This helps me ‘keep the main thing, the main thing,’ since I am so easily distracted.” You may want to do something similar, or you can develop a schedule and method of your own. No matter what you choose to do, go to your thinking place, take paper and pen, and make sure you capture your ideas in writing.”” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Deliberate, regular thinking time protects focus and creativity amid distractions. **In simple terms:** Scheduled thinking preserves focus. Key Takeaway Allocate regular thinking blocks. Themes focus creativity productivity mindfulness Mood reflective motivational Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - executive planning - writing - brainstorming - project development Key Concepts time management habit formation cognitive clarity Questions to Reflect On - How can you guard thinking time from interruptions? - What tools help you capture ideas quickly? A Different Perspective May be hard to protect time in busy schedules. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choose Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-thinking-3669691/) [Fast food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fast-food/) [Food chain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food-chain/) [Intentional Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intentional-thinking-3669692/) [Pace of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pace-of-life/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Schedule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-schedule-2269550/) [Thinking Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-time/) ## Related quotes > [I think the first thing to do is to be aware that you can choose what you're thinking about and that your life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-think-the-first-thing-to-do-is-to-be-aware-that-you-can-choose-what/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [“In the average home there is much work to be done, and God does not approve of laziness. 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I read a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-armstrong/if-you-grow-up-somewhere-where-the-pace-of-life-is-very-slow-you/) [Alexander Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-armstrong/) > [I loved the pace of life and the majesty of New Zealand. It's similar to Scotland - but feels newer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-bonnar/i-loved-the-pace-of-life-and-the-majesty-of-new-zealand-it-s-similar/) [Mark Bonnar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-bonnar/) > [“The strengths of social interaction and the flows of information exchange are greatest between terminal units (that is, between individuals) and systematically decrease up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-west/the-strengths-of-social-interaction-and-the-flows-of-information/) [Geoffrey West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-west/) > [I have closely noted that people who watch a great deal of TV never again seem able to adjust to the actual pace of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harrison/i-have-closely-noted-that-people-who-watch-a-great-deal-of-tv-never/) [Jim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harrison/) > [For even if the allotted space of life be short, it is long enough in which to live honorably and well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/for-even-if-the-allotted-space-of-life-be-short-it-is-long-enough-in/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“Unfortunately, however, there is another serious catch. Theory dictates that such discoveries must occur at an increasingly accelerating pace; the time between successive innovations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-west/unfortunately-however-there-is-another-serious-catch-theory-dictates/) [Geoffrey West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-west/) > [“Perhaps the deepest indication of our slavery is the monetization of time. It is a phenomenon with roots deeper than our money system, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-eisenstein/perhaps-the-deepest-indication-of-our-slavery-is-the-monetization-of/) [Charles Eisenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-eisenstein/) > [I don't like MTV, and I don't like the culture that goes with it. It's OK in very small doses, maybe. Nevertheless, it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seymour-papert/i-don-t-like-mtv-and-i-don-t-like-the-culture-that-goes-with-it-it-s/) [Seymour Papert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seymour-papert/) > [In truth I suspect that merely slowing down is not a very satisfying answer. What I need has less to do with my pace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/in-truth-i-suspect-that-merely-slowing-down-is-not-a-very-satisfying/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [I can sleep anywhere... when I'm travelling - planes, cars, you name it. That's how I've been able to maintain the pace of life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coulthard/i-can-sleep-anywhere-when-i-m-travelling-planes-cars-you-name-it-that/) [David Coulthard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coulthard/) > [The pace of life feels morally dangerous to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ford/the-pace-of-life-feels-morally-dangerous-to-me/) [Richard Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ford/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. 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Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Fast food quotes > [By eating many fruits and vegetables in place of fast food and junk food, people could avoid obesity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-murdock/by-eating-many-fruits-and-vegetables-in-place-of-fast-food-and-junk/) [David H. Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-h-murdock/) > [“10. Calories count in New York City. The Big Apple recently adopted a law that requires fast-food restaurants with at least fifteen outlets in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-h-thaler/10-calories-count-in-new-york-city-the-big-apple-recently-adopted-a/) [Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/) > [Star Trek' is the McDonald's of science fiction; it's fast food storytelling. Every problem is like every other problem. They all get solved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/star-trek-is-the-mcdonald-s-of-science-fiction-it-s-fast-food/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [Cheating is like eating fast food. You do it, you enjoy it, and then you end up feeling like shit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/cheating-is-like-eating-fast-food-you-do-it-you-enjoy-it-and-then-you/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [I'm a southern boy raised in Gainesville, Georgia, so it's natural for me to want fast food and sweet tea, but those are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deshaun-watson/i-m-a-southern-boy-raised-in-gainesville-georgia-so-it-s-natural-for/) [Deshaun Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deshaun-watson/) > [What I've been developing is a vegan fast food chain and vegan food markets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-mills/what-i-ve-been-developing-is-a-vegan-fast-food-chain-and-vegan-food/) [Heather Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-mills/) > [I did software development for a while, and I also spent several years directing a nonprofit in San Francisco that did computer education for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-autor/i-did-software-development-for-a-while-and-i-also-spent-several-years/) [David Autor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-autor/) > [Annual earnings in the fast-food industry are well below the income needed for self-sufficiency, and fast-food industry jobs are also much less likely than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rolf/annual-earnings-in-the-fast-food-industry-are-well-below-the-income/) [David Rolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rolf/) > [When I wrote 'Fast Food My Way' in 2004, I hoped that my friends would prepare my recipes. Now, more people cook from that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-p-pin/when-i-wrote-fast-food-my-way-in-2004-i-hoped-that-my-friends-would/) [Jacques Pepin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-p-pin/) > [I had a list of about 35 restaurants, 25 of which were fast-food joints all around Los Angeles and I didn't get a quarter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-farrell/i-had-a-list-of-about-35-restaurants-25-of-which-were-fast-food/) [Colin Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-farrell/) > [For me, it's all about moderation. I don't kick things out of my diet, like carbs. But I'm not going to eat fast food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-flay/for-me-it-s-all-about-moderation-i-don-t-kick-things-out-of-my-diet/) [Bobby Flay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-flay/) > [Fast food is popular because it's convenient, it's cheap, and it tastes good. 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