--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lay plans for the accomplishment of the…" description: "\"Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult; make something big by starting with it when small.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0b/laozi-147_accomplishment_lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the_1561101.jpg" --- # Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before… ![“Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult; make something big by starting with it when small.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0b/laozi-147_accomplishment_lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the_1561101.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0b/laozi-147_accomplishment_lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the_1561101.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0b/laozi-147_accomplishment_lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the_1561101.jpg) > “Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult; make something big by starting with it when small.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Plan for difficult tasks early, tackling them when they’re still small to achieve great results. **In simple terms:** Start big tasks early while they’re still small. Key Takeaway Begin early, stay small. Themes planning perseverance scale Mood strategic determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - project management - startup development - personal goals Key Concepts systems thinking incrementalism Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify tasks that will become difficult later? - What methods keep small tasks manageable? A Different Perspective Early planning may not anticipate future complexities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) [Accomplishment Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment-difficult-4318759/) [Big Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-starting-5855995/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Lays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lays/) [Make Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-big-255228/) [Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans/) [Plans Accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans-accomplishment-4140394/) [Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting/) [Starting Small](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting-small-1003354/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [“Building a life on solid accomplishment is more difficult than being an antiwar veteran and confessing one's guilt in public.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-glenn-gray/building-a-life-on-solid-accomplishment-is-more-difficult-than-being/) [J. Glenn Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-glenn-gray/) > [Your ability to set goals and to make plans for their accomplishment is the master skill of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/your-ability-to-set-goals-and-to-make-plans-for-their-accomplishment/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Top people have very clear goals. They know who they are and they know what they want. They write it down and they make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/top-people-have-very-clear-goals-they-know-who-they-are-and-they-know/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [“We must begin where we are and move forward immediately by starting small and capitalizing on what's at hand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-schmoker/we-must-begin-where-we-are-and-move-forward-immediately-by-starting/) [Mike Schmoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-schmoker/) > [Set realistic goals and start on a small note. One step at one time - that should be your mantra. Starting on a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/set-realistic-goals-and-start-on-a-small-note-one-step-at-one-time/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [“Every startup is small at the start. Every monopoly dominates a large share of its market. Therefore, every startup should start with a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-thiel/every-startup-is-small-at-the-start-every-monopoly-dominates-a-large/) [Peter Thiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-thiel/) > [I've lived on my own since 17, and when I found I wasn't working all the time, I ended up starting a small theatre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-dinicol/i-ve-lived-on-my-own-since-17-and-when-i-found-i-wasn-t-working-all/) [Joe Dinicol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-dinicol/) > [“Starting small is the beginning of it all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumont-tekay/starting-small-is-the-beginning-of-it-all/) [Rumont TeKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumont-tekay/) > [If you want to be useful, you can always start now. It will be a humble prototype of your grand vision, but you’ll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-sivers/if-you-want-to-be-useful-you-can-always-start-now-it-will-be-a-humble/) [Derek Sivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-sivers/) > [When contemplating the pursuit of a dream or the start of a new venture, too many people are hesitant to begin because they can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/when-contemplating-the-pursuit-of-a-dream-or-the-start-of-a-new/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [It's an error in judgment to bounce into starting a small business before you cash in on building a strong foundation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabrizio-moreira/it-s-an-error-in-judgment-to-bounce-into-starting-a-small-business/) [Fabrizio Moreira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabrizio-moreira/) > [Thinking about starting a small business? Assume everything will cost twice as much and take twice as long as you think it will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-ramsey/thinking-about-starting-a-small-business-assume-everything-will-cost/) [Dave Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-ramsey/) > [I never thought I could make it big. I was just a cashier. I didn't want to be just another average person, but all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-le/i-never-thought-i-could-make-it-big-i-was-just-a-cashier-i-didn-t/) [Michel'le](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-le/) > [I don't take on big things. What I do, pretty much, is make the big things small and the small things big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-david/i-don-t-take-on-big-things-what-i-do-pretty-much-is-make-the-big/) [Larry David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-david/) > [I never thought I'd get drafted, let alone make the big leagues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-corbin/i-never-thought-i-d-get-drafted-let-alone-make-the-big-leagues/) [Patrick Corbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-corbin/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Accomplishment quotes > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [To accomplish much you must first lose everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/to-accomplish-much-you-must-first-lose-everything/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [One of the most important rules for success is this: Every great success is the result of hundreds and thousands of small efforts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/one-of-the-most-important-rules-for-success-is-this-every-great/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [For many of us, work is the one place where we feel appreciated. The things that we long to experience at home - pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/for-many-of-us-work-is-the-one-place-where-we-feel-appreciated-the/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-aquilina/humility-is-an-elusive-virtue-the-more-we-pursue-it-and-the-more-we/) [Mike Aquilina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-aquilina/) > [I'm not always right, but I learn from my mistakes and make it a productive experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-kolhoff/i-m-not-always-right-but-i-learn-from-my-mistakes-and-make-it-a/) [Carson Kolhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-kolhoff/) > [Suffering in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/suffering-in-life-can-uncover-untold-depths-of-character-and-unknown/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-no-limit-to-the-amount-of-good-you-can-do-if-you-don-t-care/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Research is the live heart of the scientific life ... Greatness of position, respect for past accomplishments, the Nobel Prize itself -- none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-gornick/research-is-the-live-heart-of-the-scientific-life-greatness-of/) [Vivian Gornick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-gornick/) > [“One man accomplishment Is another mans failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-sargent/one-man-accomplishment-is-another-mans-failure/) [Anthony Sargent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-sargent/) > [I expected college to feel like a major accomplishment. I walked across the stage, eight months pregnant with my almost seven-year-old daughter watching in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/i-expected-college-to-feel-like-a-major-accomplishment-i-walked/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [Our purpose on this earth is not one single event, an accomplishment we can check off a list. There is no test. No passing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/our-purpose-on-this-earth-is-not-one-single-event-an-accomplishment/) [Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/) > [An untrained or uneducated Marine ... deployed to the combat zone is a bigger threat to mission accomplishment ... than the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/an-untrained-or-uneducated-marine-deployed-to-the-combat-zone-is-a/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) [Browse all 1,598 Accomplishment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult; make something big by starting with it when small.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the-difficult-before-it-becomes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accomplishment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the-difficult-before-it-becomes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0b/laozi-147_accomplishment_lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the_1561101.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0b/laozi-147_accomplishment_lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the_1561101.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0b/laozi-147_accomplishment_lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the_1561101.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult; make something big by…” — Laozi", "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": "Laozi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Lay plans for the accomplishment of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the-difficult-before-it-becomes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/lay-plans-for-the-accomplishment-of-the-difficult-before-it-becomes/#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 } } ] } ```