--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One reason we never tame the busyness…" description: "\"“One reason we never tame the busyness beast is because we are unwilling to kill anything. We rearrange our schedule and tighten up our breaks, but not..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/kevin-deyoung-1086_busyness_one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-be_1644216.png" --- # One reason we never tame the busyness beast is because we… ![“One reason we never tame the busyness beast is because we are unwilling to kill anything. We rearrange our schedule and tighten up our breaks, but nothing improves because we haven’t pruned anything. We haven’t established what we won’t do any longer.” quote by Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/kevin-deyoung-1086_busyness_one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-be_1644216.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/kevin-deyoung-1086_busyness_one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-be_1644216.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/kevin-deyoung-1086_busyness_one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-be_1644216.png) > ““One reason we never tame the busyness beast is because we are unwilling to kill anything. We rearrange our schedule and tighten up our breaks, but nothing improves because we haven’t pruned anything. We haven’t established what we won’t do any longer.”” [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that true productivity requires eliminating unnecessary tasks, not just rearranging schedules. **In simple terms:** Eliminate unnecessary tasks for real productivity. Key Takeaway Prune tasks to improve efficiency. Themes productivity time management prioritization Mood analytical pragmatic Type advice self‑help When to use this quote - workday planning - project management - personal routines Key Concepts efficiency strategies minimalism Questions to Reflect On - What tasks truly add value? - How can you say no effectively? A Different Perspective Hard to identify what to cut. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beast Unwilling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast-unwilling-593928/) [Busyness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/busyness/) [Busyness Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/busyness-beast-593927/) [Tame Busyness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tame-busyness-593926/) [Unwilling Kill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unwilling-kill-593929/) ## Related quotes > [“Busyness does not mean you are a faithful or fruitful Christian. It only means you are busy, just like everyone else. And like everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/busyness-does-not-mean-you-are-a-faithful-or-fruitful-christian-it-2/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Busyness does not mean you are a faithful or fruitful Christian. It only means you are busy, just like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/busyness-does-not-mean-you-are-a-faithful-or-fruitful-christian-it/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Busyness kills more Christians than bullets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/busyness-kills-more-christians-than-bullets/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [When busyness goes after joy, it goes after everyone's joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/when-busyness-goes-after-joy-it-goes-after-everyone-s-joy/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [“busyness must start with the one sin that begets so many of our other sins: pride.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/busyness-must-start-with-the-one-sin-that-begets-so-many-of-our-other/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [“So don’t ignore the physical danger of busyness. Just remember the most serious threats are spiritual. When we are crazy busy, we put our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/so-don-t-ignore-the-physical-danger-of-busyness-just-remember-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Busyness has become such a social value that we will even create it, we will create that sense of breathlessness because we think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-schulte/busyness-has-become-such-a-social-value-that-we-will-even-create-it/) [Brigid Schulte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-schulte/) > [“A step you'll need to take is to stop buying into the notion that busyness equates to importance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-step-you-ll-need-to-take-is-to-stop-buying-into-the-notion-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A person can hurry through or sleep walk through life, but whenever they stop to catch their breath or awaken from a long nap,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/a-person-can-hurry-through-or-sleep-walk-through-life-but-whenever/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [Today we live in a world that judges its achievements by speed and busyness. Â… We are so busy making things happen that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-d-chittister/today-we-live-in-a-world-that-judges-its-achievements-by-speed-and/) [Joan D. Chittister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-d-chittister/) > [We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-become-so-caught-up-in-the-busyness-of-our-lives-were-we-to-step/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“I don't have any talent for vacations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/i-don-t-have-any-talent-for-vacations/) [Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/) > [Busyness is a common cure of lonliness but it's like trying to heal a toothache by taking your mind off it. Busyness is only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/busyness-is-a-common-cure-of-lonliness-but-it-s-like-trying-to-heal-a/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [“The worst fear of the race yes, the world suddenly transformed into a senseless nightmare, horrible dissolution of things. Nothing compares, even oblivion is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/the-worst-fear-of-the-race-yes-the-world-suddenly-transformed-into-a/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/one-response-was-given-by-the-innkeeper-when-mary-and-joseph-wanted/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) ## More by Kevin DeYoung > [“Worry about the future is not simply a character tic, it is the sin of unbelief, an indication that our hearts are not resting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/worry-about-the-future-is-not-simply-a-character-tic-it-is-the-sin-of/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [There is nothing gray about whether a follower of Christ should see 50 Shades of Grey. This is a black and white issue. Don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/there-is-nothing-gray-about-whether-a-follower-of-christ-should-see/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [A catechism is simply a tool for teaching the fundamentals of the faith. Unlike a creed or confession, a catechism uses questions and answers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/a-catechism-is-simply-a-tool-for-teaching-the-fundamentals-of-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/live-for-god-obey-the-scriptures-think-of-others-before-yourself-be/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Busyness kills more Christians than bullets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/busyness-kills-more-christians-than-bullets/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Grace is free, but it's not cheap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/grace-is-free-but-it-s-not-cheap/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [If there really is a perfect will of God we are meant to discover, in which we will find tremendous freedom and fulfillment, why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/if-there-really-is-a-perfect-will-of-god-we-are-meant-to-discover-in/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust that He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/seek-first-the-kingdom-of-god-and-then-trust-that-he-will-take-care/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [There is no sin so prevalent, so insidious, and so deep as the sin of fearing people more than we fear God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/there-is-no-sin-so-prevalent-so-insidious-and-so-deep-as-the-sin-of/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [“The pursuit of holiness is not a quixotic effort to do just what Jesus did. It’s the fight to live out the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/the-pursuit-of-holiness-is-not-a-quixotic-effort-to-do-just-what/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Offendedness is just about the last shared moral currency in our country. And, I'm sorry, but it's really annoying. We don't discuss ideas or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/offendedness-is-just-about-the-last-shared-moral-currency-in-our/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [The finality of Christs redemption for us is intimately tied to the finality of his revelation to us. . . . If we say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/the-finality-of-christs-redemption-for-us-is-intimately-tied-to-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Everything before Jesus is preface. Everything after Jesus is appendix. Jesus is the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/everything-before-jesus-is-preface-everything-after-jesus-is-appendix/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Sometimes feeling overwhelmed is part of what it means to be a Christian. You can't bear somebody else's burden unless you are taking something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/sometimes-feeling-overwhelmed-is-part-of-what-it-means-to-be-a/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [“Faith and good works are both necessary. But one is the root and the other the fruit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/faith-and-good-works-are-both-necessary-but-one-is-the-root-and-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) [Explore all 295 Kevin DeYoung quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) ## More Busyness quotes > [One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/one-response-was-given-by-the-innkeeper-when-mary-and-joseph-wanted/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“The worst fear of the race yes, the world suddenly transformed into a senseless nightmare, horrible dissolution of things. Nothing compares, even oblivion is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/the-worst-fear-of-the-race-yes-the-world-suddenly-transformed-into-a/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [Busyness kills more Christians than bullets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/busyness-kills-more-christians-than-bullets/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Busyness is a common cure of lonliness but it's like trying to heal a toothache by taking your mind off it. Busyness is only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/busyness-is-a-common-cure-of-lonliness-but-it-s-like-trying-to-heal-a/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [“I don't have any talent for vacations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/i-don-t-have-any-talent-for-vacations/) [Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/) > [We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-become-so-caught-up-in-the-busyness-of-our-lives-were-we-to-step/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Today we live in a world that judges its achievements by speed and busyness. Â… We are so busy making things happen that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-d-chittister/today-we-live-in-a-world-that-judges-its-achievements-by-speed-and/) [Joan D. Chittister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-d-chittister/) > [“A person can hurry through or sleep walk through life, but whenever they stop to catch their breath or awaken from a long nap,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/a-person-can-hurry-through-or-sleep-walk-through-life-but-whenever/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [“A step you'll need to take is to stop buying into the notion that busyness equates to importance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-step-you-ll-need-to-take-is-to-stop-buying-into-the-notion-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Busyness has become such a social value that we will even create it, we will create that sense of breathlessness because we think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-schulte/busyness-has-become-such-a-social-value-that-we-will-even-create-it/) [Brigid Schulte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-schulte/) > [Extreme busyness is a symptom of deficient vitality, and a faculty for idleness implies a catholic appetite and a strong sense of personal identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/extreme-busyness-is-a-symptom-of-deficient-vitality-and-a-faculty-for/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [“So don’t ignore the physical danger of busyness. Just remember the most serious threats are spiritual. When we are crazy busy, we put our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/so-don-t-ignore-the-physical-danger-of-busyness-just-remember-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [“Learn the difference between busyness and accomplishments.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kim/learn-the-difference-between-busyness-and-accomplishments/) [John Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kim/) > [How small we humans are. All our scrambling around, trying to buttress ourselves against death. All our efforts to insulate ourselves against uncertainty with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-horan/how-small-we-humans-are-all-our-scrambling-around-trying-to-buttress/) [Nancy Horan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-horan/) > [Extreme busyness, whether at school or college, kirk or market, is a symptom of deficient vitality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/extreme-busyness-whether-at-school-or-college-kirk-or-market-is-a/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) [Browse all 108 Busyness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/busyness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“One reason we never tame the busyness beast is because we are unwilling to kill anything. We rearrange our schedule and tighten up our breaks, but nothing improves because we haven’t pruned anything. We haven’t established what we won’t do any longer.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kevin DeYoung" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-beast-is-because-we-are/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Busyness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-beast-is-because-we-are/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/kevin-deyoung-1086_busyness_one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-be_1644216.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/kevin-deyoung-1086_busyness_one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-be_1644216.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/kevin-deyoung-1086_busyness_one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-be_1644216.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“One reason we never tame the busyness beast is because we are unwilling to kill anything. We rearrange our…” — Kevin DeYoung", "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": "Kevin DeYoung", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“One reason we never tame the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-beast-is-because-we-are/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/one-reason-we-never-tame-the-busyness-beast-is-because-we-are/#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 } } ] } ```