---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you sit on, sleep on, stare at, or…"
description: "\"If you sit on, sleep on, stare at, or touch something for more than an hour a day, spend whatever it takes to get the best.\" — Marco Arment"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0c/marco-arment-20793_hours_if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch_2990935.jpg"
---

#  If you sit on, sleep on, stare at, or touch something for…

![“If you sit on, sleep on, stare at, or touch something for more than an hour a day, spend whatever it takes to get the best.” quote by Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0c/marco-arment-20793_hours_if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch_2990935.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0c/marco-arment-20793_hours_if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch_2990935.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0c/marco-arment-20793_hours_if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch_2990935.jpg)

> “If you sit on, sleep on, stare at, or touch something for more than an hour a day, spend whatever it takes to get the best.”

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Consistent, focused effort on a task yields the best results; invest time wisely.

**In simple terms:** Spend focused time daily for excellence.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize deep work.

Themes

productivity focus effort

Mood

motivational pragmatic

Type

advice self‑help

When to use this quote

- software development
- writing
- learning

Key Concepts

habit formation time management

Questions to Reflect On

- What tasks deserve your daily focus?
- How do you avoid diminishing returns?

A Different Perspective

Burnout risk if over‑invested.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Staring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/staring/) [Whatever it takes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whatever-it-takes/)

## Related quotes

> [If you act, you show character; if you sit still, you show it; if you sleep you show it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-you-act-you-show-character-if-you-sit-still-you-show-it-if-you/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Even if I'm in a movie theatre, I'll touch up an hour into the film because I know I could be a little shiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffree-star/even-if-i-m-in-a-movie-theatre-i-ll-touch-up-an-hour-into-the-film/)

[Jeffree Star](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffree-star/)

> [“people can take you to a great place, but God takes you to the best place.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariam/people-can-take-you-to-a-great-place-but-god-takes-you-to-the-best/)

[Mariam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariam/)

> [Now your smiling. Smiling up in the clouds. Looking down on us. You made us proud. God only takes the best. Never the worst.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-el-hallab/now-your-smiling-smiling-up-in-the-clouds-looking-down-on-us-you-made/)

[Mahmoud El Hallab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-el-hallab/)

> [It takes the best part of a lifetime to find out what you don't want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-paterson/it-takes-the-best-part-of-a-lifetime-to-find-out-what-you-don-t-want/)

[Isabel Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-paterson/)

> [I'll do everything it takes to get to my best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mauricio-rua/i-ll-do-everything-it-takes-to-get-to-my-best/)

[Mauricio Rua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mauricio-rua/)

> [I hate losing, and I'm gonna do whatever it takes to be the best at whatever it is I'm doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-wentz/i-hate-losing-and-i-m-gonna-do-whatever-it-takes-to-be-the-best-at/)

[Carson Wentz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-wentz/)

> [Everybody has the same amount of time during the day. You can either spend your time or invest your time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-kelly/everybody-has-the-same-amount-of-time-during-the-day-you-can-either/)

[Chip Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-kelly/)

> [Your campaign shouldn't just die the day you spend your last cent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-droga/your-campaign-shouldn-t-just-die-the-day-you-spend-your-last-cent/)

[David Droga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-droga/)

> [It's very difficult when you have $1.50 per day to spend on food and drink, but for people who live this reality, that money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-brosnahan/it-s-very-difficult-when-you-have-1-50-per-day-to-spend-on-food-and/)

[Rachel Brosnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-brosnahan/)

> [The videos that I post every day are averaging 7 million views per day. And I post one of those a day. I spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-paul/the-videos-that-i-post-every-day-are-averaging-7-million-views-per/)

[Jake Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-paul/)

> [When I am writing, I try to do it five hours a day but I spend about two of those just fooling around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truman-capote/when-i-am-writing-i-try-to-do-it-five-hours-a-day-but-i-spend-about/)

[Truman Capote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/truman-capote/)

> [No time is so well spent in every day as that which we spend upon our knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/no-time-is-so-well-spent-in-every-day-as-that-which-we-spend-upon-our/)

[J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/)

> [We have a funny concept of time in this culture. We revere it as we revere money, yet we rarely spend any of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-phillips/we-have-a-funny-concept-of-time-in-this-culture-we-revere-it-as-we/)

[Jan Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-phillips/)

> [I wonder how much of the day I spend just callin' after you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-lee/i-wonder-how-much-of-the-day-i-spend-just-callin-after-you/)

[Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-lee/)

## More by Marco Arment

> [With a Web and iPhone app, I try to find new and tiny ways to delight my customers. They may not notice, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/with-a-web-and-iphone-app-i-try-to-find-new-and-tiny-ways-to-delight/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [I've done everything from stocking shelves at a natural food co-op, to baking bagels at Brueggers and bussing tables. Then I realized that jobs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/i-ve-done-everything-from-stocking-shelves-at-a-natural-food-co-op-to/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [One reason I love the Kindle, more so than the iPad, is that on the Kindle you can't do anything else but read. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/one-reason-i-love-the-kindle-more-so-than-the-ipad-is-that-on-the/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [In the modern desktop environment, with multitasking and alerts and constant activity, there are always more distractions. When you're at a computer, your hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/in-the-modern-desktop-environment-with-multitasking-and-alerts-and/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [Instapaper is much bigger today than I could have predicted in 2008, and it has simply grown far beyond what one person can do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/instapaper-is-much-bigger-today-than-i-could-have-predicted-in-2008/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [I started out from a pretty modest background, so I always had a pretty good sense of money. I always had to work for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/i-started-out-from-a-pretty-modest-background-so-i-always-had-a/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [People will pay for something they like because they want to ensure its future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/people-will-pay-for-something-they-like-because-they-want-to-ensure/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [Google won't break into your home. You'll invite them in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/google-won-t-break-into-your-home-you-ll-invite-them-in/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [Instapaper needs a new home where it can be staffed and grown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/instapaper-needs-a-new-home-where-it-can-be-staffed-and-grown/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [People want to download publications quickly and read them without cruft. Publications that started in print carry too much baggage and usually have awful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/people-want-to-download-publications-quickly-and-read-them-without/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [I've worked with many large and small publishers, and nearly all of them love the value that Instapaper provides to their readers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/i-ve-worked-with-many-large-and-small-publishers-and-nearly-all-of/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [Writing your own blog platform is like roasting your own coffee: it's impractical and you probably shouldn't do it, but for people who really,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/writing-your-own-blog-platform-is-like-roasting-your-own-coffee-it-s/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [I don't even like being quoted in a press release.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/i-don-t-even-like-being-quoted-in-a-press-release/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [Charge for something and make more than you spend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/charge-for-something-and-make-more-than-you-spend/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

> [People have different interpretations of "urgent".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/people-have-different-interpretations-of-urgent/)

[Marco Arment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

[Explore all 30 Marco Arment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/)

## More Hours quotes

> [When I passed the Chancellor he arose, waved his hand at me, and I waved back at him. I think the writers showed bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/when-i-passed-the-chancellor-he-arose-waved-his-hand-at-me-and-i/)

[Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/)

> [He bombarded me with words, of all things, apparently clueless to the fact that the predawn hours rendered me incapable of coherent thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/he-bombarded-me-with-words-of-all-things-apparently-clueless-to-the/)

[Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/)

> [In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/in-the-entire-history-of-the-universe-let-alone-in-your-own-history/)

[Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/)

> [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/)

[Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/)

> [I didn't understand Southland Tales script at all! Is there a single word to describe it? Cacophony? It's celebrity meets pornography meets politics -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-grant/i-didn-t-understand-southland-tales-script-at-all-is-there-a-single/)

[Beth Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-grant/)

> [And in your new lives you'll have to live entirely for that one sensation-that of imminent truth. And you're going to have to holler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/and-in-your-new-lives-you-ll-have-to-live-entirely-for-that-one/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [Real chessplayers think about chess more or less 24 hours a day. It is a passion and a fate that one has to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simen-agdestein/real-chessplayers-think-about-chess-more-or-less-24-hours-a-day-it-is/)

Simen Agdestein

> [In the name of Jerusalem. If I forget the extermination of the Jews, may my right hand wither, may my tongue stick to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/menachem-begin/in-the-name-of-jerusalem-if-i-forget-the-extermination-of-the-jews/)

[Menachem Begin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/menachem-begin/)

> [Memory revises me. Even now a letter comes from a place I don’t know, from someone with my name and postmarked years ago, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-young-lee/memory-revises-me-even-now-a-letter-comes-from-a-place-i-don-t-know/)

[Li-Young Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-young-lee/)

> [Some writers say they cannot write in front of a window; many say they cannot function without almost perfect quiet. A writer with only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wolfe/some-writers-say-they-cannot-write-in-front-of-a-window-many-say-they/)

[Gene Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wolfe/)

> [I'm getting to a point where everything is becoming streamlined in my life. I'm learning how to stand onstage for two hours and play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayer/i-m-getting-to-a-point-where-everything-is-becoming-streamlined-in-my/)

[John Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayer/)

> [I spend a lot of time loathing the sentences that I put down on the page. Once I'm past that phase, it doesn't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-link/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-loathing-the-sentences-that-i-put-down-on-the/)

[Kelly Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-link/)

> [ Music \[is\] the third rail of life. You grabbed it to shock yourself out of the dull drag of hours. To feel something. To… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hill/music-is-the-third-rail-of-life-you-grabbed-it-to-shock-yourself-out/)

[Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hill/)

> [A clock struck out the hour of twelve, and the bird in the hedgerow was still singing as we marched out to the roadway,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-macgill/a-clock-struck-out-the-hour-of-twelve-and-the-bird-in-the-hedgerow/)

[Patrick MacGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-macgill/)

> [Weekend planning is a prime time to apply the Deathbed Priority Test: On your deathbed, will you wish you'd spent more prime weekend hours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-borland/weekend-planning-is-a-prime-time-to-apply-the-deathbed-priority-test/)

[Hal Borland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-borland/)

Browse all 9,075 Hours quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If you sit on, sleep on, stare at, or touch something for more than an hour a day, spend whatever it takes to get the best.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Marco Arment"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch-something-for-more-than-an/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Hours"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch-something-for-more-than-an/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0c/marco-arment-20793_hours_if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch_2990935.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0c/marco-arment-20793_hours_if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch_2990935.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0c/marco-arment-20793_hours_if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch_2990935.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If you sit on, sleep on, stare at, or touch something for more than an hour a day, spend whatever it takes…” — Marco Arment",
                "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": "Marco Arment",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-arment/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If you sit on, sleep on,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch-something-for-more-than-an/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-arment/if-you-sit-on-sleep-on-stare-at-or-touch-something-for-more-than-an/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
