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Concerned Quote by Marian Keyes

“In the same way that the stewards on the Titanic were more concerned about the unemptied ashtrays on the bar than the enormous hole in the side of the ship which was letting in zillions of gallons of water, I too was worrying about the unimportant and ignoring the vital. Sometimes it's easier that…” quote by Marian Keyes
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““In the same way that the stewards on the Titanic were more concerned about the unemptied ashtrays on the bar than the enormous hole in the side of the ship which was letting in zillions of gallons of water, I too was worrying about the unimportant and ignoring the vital. Sometimes it's easier that way. Because although there was little I could do about the huge hole, it was within my power to empty an asthray.””

Marian Keyes

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Other Side of the Story, Marian Keyes, 2005

People often focus on trivial problems while ignoring larger crises; addressing small, manageable tasks can still be meaningful.

In simple terms: Don’t let big problems stop you; handle what you can.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize what you can control.

Themes

focus prioritization crisis management self‑efficacy humor

Mood

anxious reflective

Type

motivational humorous

When to use this quote

  • personal crisis
  • workplace stress
  • environmental disaster
  • health emergencies
  • daily chores

Key Concepts

Psychology risk assessment decision making

Questions to Reflect On

  • What minor tasks are you using to avoid bigger problems?
  • How can you balance attention between small and large issues?
A Different Perspective

Small fixes don’t solve the main issue; they may distract from larger solutions.

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