--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My assistants and I often would spend…" description: "\"My assistants and I often would spend more time planning a practice than the actual practice itself\" — John Wooden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/john-wooden-420_assistants_my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-mo_3234265.png" --- # My assistants and I often would spend more time planning a… ![“My assistants and I often would spend more time planning a practice than the actual practice itself” quote by John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/john-wooden-420_assistants_my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-mo_3234265.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/john-wooden-420_assistants_my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-mo_3234265.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/john-wooden-420_assistants_my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-mo_3234265.png) > “My assistants and I often would spend more time planning a practice than the actual practice itself” [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Coaches often spend more time planning practices than actually executing them. **In simple terms:** Coaches plan more than they practice. Key Takeaway Balance planning with execution. Themes coaching leadership productivity Mood thoughtful practical Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - team meetings - training sessions - project planning - strategy workshops Key Concepts time management preparation Questions to Reflect On - How much planning is enough before action? - What can be done to reduce planning time? A Different Perspective Over‑planning can lead to analysis paralysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [More time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more-time/) [Planning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planning/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Volleyball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volleyball/) ## Related quotes > [I would spend almost as much time planning a practice as conducting it. Everything was planned out each day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-would-spend-almost-as-much-time-planning-a-practice-as-conducting/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Obviously, this whole 'no child left behind' idea is more rhetoric than actual practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hill-harper/obviously-this-whole-no-child-left-behind-idea-is-more-rhetoric-than/) [Hill Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hill-harper/) > [The more time you spend contemplating what you should have done... you lose valuable time planning what you can and will do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/the-more-time-you-spend-contemplating-what-you-should-have-done-you/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [Sometimes I spent more time planning a climb than doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lowe/sometimes-i-spent-more-time-planning-a-climb-than-doing-it/) [Jeff Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lowe/) > [I spend 60 percent of my time planning, 60 percent with people, and all other duties are completed with whatever time is left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alden-w-clausen/i-spend-60-percent-of-my-time-planning-60-percent-with-people-and-all/) Alden W. Clausen > [I don't spend time planning each move in my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/biju-menon/i-don-t-spend-time-planning-each-move-in-my-career/) [Biju Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/biju-menon/) > [Don't spend too much time planning, release early and often, some things will work, others won't, refine and move forward and above all forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-rose/don-t-spend-too-much-time-planning-release-early-and-often-some/) [Kevin Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-rose/) > [Many people spend more time in planning the wedding than they do in planning the marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/many-people-spend-more-time-in-planning-the-wedding-than-they-do-in/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [“The best time for planning a book is while you're doing the dishes. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/the-best-time-for-planning-a-book-is-while-you-re-doing-the-dishes/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [Too many people spend more time planning how to get the job than on how to become productive and successful in that job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/too-many-people-spend-more-time-planning-how-to-get-the-job-than-on/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [Most people spend more time planning a one-week vacation than they spend planning their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hyatt/most-people-spend-more-time-planning-a-one-week-vacation-than-they/) [Michael Hyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hyatt/) > [If I were a young coach today, I would be extremely careful in selecting assistants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/if-i-were-a-young-coach-today-i-would-be-extremely-careful-in/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [My dad's a prominent theatre director in Toronto, so I grew up in that world, directing and producing theater since I was a teenager.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-gass-donnelly/my-dad-s-a-prominent-theatre-director-in-toronto-so-i-grew-up-in-that/) [Ed Gass-Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-gass-donnelly/) > [Since, however, it is immaterial whether the work is done by assistants or a machine, I decided to build a machine equivalent to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/since-however-it-is-immaterial-whether-the-work-is-done-by-assistants/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm a good assistant. That's why I don't have an assistant, because I'm so on it that no one can be as on it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-dunst/i-m-a-good-assistant-that-s-why-i-don-t-have-an-assistant-because-i-m/) [Kirsten Dunst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-dunst/) ## More by John Wooden > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it. -John wooden”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-so-important-who-starts-the-game-but-who-finishes-it-john/) [John wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“I remain convinced to this day that compassion like that—sincerely caring for your players and maintaining an active interest in their lives, concerns, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-remain-convinced-to-this-day-that-compassion-like-that-sincerely/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I'm not going to say I was opposed to the Vietnam War. I'm going to say I'm opposed to war. But I'm also opposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-m-not-going-to-say-i-was-opposed-to-the-vietnam-war-i-m-going-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/being-a-role-model-is-the-most-powerful-form-of-educating-too-often/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Each of us has a huge capacity to learn and to achieve. Being ever alert makes the task of becoming all we are capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/each-of-us-has-a-huge-capacity-to-learn-and-to-achieve-being-ever/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Stay the course. When thwarted try again; harder; smarter. Persevere relentlessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/stay-the-course-when-thwarted-try-again-harder-smarter-persevere/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Love is the most powerful four letter word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/love-is-the-most-powerful-four-letter-word/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [It takes 10 hands to score a basket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-takes-10-hands-to-score-a-basket/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [The best competition I have is against myself to become better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/the-best-competition-i-have-is-against-myself-to-become-better/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, the habits you are developing now will be with you for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/whether-you-know-it-or-not-whether-you-like-it-or-not-the-habits-you/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Intensity makes you stronger. Emotionalism makes you weaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/intensity-makes-you-stronger-emotionalism-makes-you-weaker/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Reputation is what others perceive you as being, and their opinion may be right or wrong. Character, however, is what you really are, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/reputation-is-what-others-perceive-you-as-being-and-their-opinion-may/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) [Explore all 578 John Wooden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## More Assistants quotes > [I'm a good assistant. That's why I don't have an assistant, because I'm so on it that no one can be as on it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-dunst/i-m-a-good-assistant-that-s-why-i-don-t-have-an-assistant-because-i-m/) [Kirsten Dunst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-dunst/) > [Since, however, it is immaterial whether the work is done by assistants or a machine, I decided to build a machine equivalent to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/since-however-it-is-immaterial-whether-the-work-is-done-by-assistants/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My dad's a prominent theatre director in Toronto, so I grew up in that world, directing and producing theater since I was a teenager.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-gass-donnelly/my-dad-s-a-prominent-theatre-director-in-toronto-so-i-grew-up-in-that/) [Ed Gass-Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-gass-donnelly/) > [To this day, I've never had an assistant. I really insist on doing everything myself because I value the role of the artist's hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-robleto/to-this-day-i-ve-never-had-an-assistant-i-really-insist-on-doing/) [Dario Robleto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-robleto/) > [ Well, that would be a title \[the busiest guy in Hollywood\] still reserved for Ryan Seacrest. I have one assistant; he has about nine.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/well-that-would-be-a-title-the-busiest-guy-in-hollywood-still/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [Everyone believed the Senate could not really be led. It used to take so long to rise up through seniority. In two years Lyndon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/everyone-believed-the-senate-could-not-really-be-led-it-used-to-take/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [I know that you observe Christmas Day as you learned it at home. I do not observe it. However, as assistant director of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/odilo-globocnik/i-know-that-you-observe-christmas-day-as-you-learned-it-at-home-i-do/) Odilo Globocnik > [Hollywood is a whole other level of crazy. I've never met so many assistants who have assistants. It's a stratified society on its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kwan/hollywood-is-a-whole-other-level-of-crazy-i-ve-never-met-so-many/) [Kevin Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kwan/) > [Photoshop is useful in many ways but must NEVER be used for the altering of photographs. My assistants and my agency do whatever Photoshop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/photoshop-is-useful-in-many-ways-but-must-never-be-used-for-the/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [Remember, this is back in the '40s, and the idea of a museum being a place where interested people could come in direct contact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mackenzie/remember-this-is-back-in-the-40s-and-the-idea-of-a-museum-being-a/) [Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mackenzie/) > [The mind reels at the multiplication of books intended to justify the author's promotion from assistant to associate professor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-northcote-parkinson/the-mind-reels-at-the-multiplication-of-books-intended-to-justify-the/) [C. Northcote Parkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-northcote-parkinson/) > [I was in Japan, and my assistant director had worked with Kurosawa. I used quite of number of Kurosawa's crew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boorman/i-was-in-japan-and-my-assistant-director-had-worked-with-kurosawa-i/) [John Boorman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boorman/) > [It's one of the most beautiful memories of my life. Not everyone has a chance to meet Greta Garbo! I was so in awe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giovanna-cau/it-s-one-of-the-most-beautiful-memories-of-my-life-not-everyone-has-a/) [Giovanna Cau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giovanna-cau/) > [Think like a head coach, but act like an assistant coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-amaker/think-like-a-head-coach-but-act-like-an-assistant-coach/) Tommy Amaker > [I must have assistants who will solve their own problems and tell me later what they've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-marshall/i-must-have-assistants-who-will-solve-their-own-problems-and-tell-me/) [George C. Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-marshall/) Browse all 322 Assistants quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My assistants and I often would spend more time planning a practice than the actual practice itself", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Wooden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-more-time-planning-a-practice/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Assistants" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-more-time-planning-a-practice/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/john-wooden-420_assistants_my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-mo_3234265.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/john-wooden-420_assistants_my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-mo_3234265.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/john-wooden-420_assistants_my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-mo_3234265.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My assistants and I often would spend more time planning a practice than the actual practice itself” — John Wooden", "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": "John Wooden", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My assistants and I often would...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-more-time-planning-a-practice/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/my-assistants-and-i-often-would-spend-more-time-planning-a-practice/#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 } } ] } ```