--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Take a deep breath and do the difficult…" description: "\"Take a deep breath and do the difficult thing first.\" — Mary Anne Radmacher" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c91/mary-anne-radmacher-1742_deep-breath_take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult_2146064.jpg" --- # Take a deep breath and do the difficult thing first. ![“Take a deep breath and do the difficult thing first.” quote by Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c91/mary-anne-radmacher-1742_deep-breath_take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult_2146064.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c91/mary-anne-radmacher-1742_deep-breath_take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult_2146064.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c91/mary-anne-radmacher-1742_deep-breath_take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult_2146064.jpg) > “Take a deep breath and do the difficult thing first.” [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizing the hardest task reduces anxiety and builds momentum for the rest of the day. **In simple terms:** Do the hardest thing first. Key Takeaway Start with the most challenging task. Themes productivity self‑discipline focus motivation Mood encouraging practical Type motivational instructional When to use this quote - work projects - exercise routines - studying - household chores Key Concepts time management habit formation psychology Questions to Reflect On - What is your most daunting task today? - How can you break it into steps? A Different Perspective May cause overwhelm if not broken down. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath/) [Deep breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-breath/) [Difficult thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-thing/) ## Related quotes > [TAKE A DEEP BREATH EVERY MORNING; SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR HEALTH. THE ALTERNATIVE IS UNBELIEVABLY TOUGH.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-jobson/take-a-deep-breath-every-morning-say-thank-you-for-your-health-the/) Gary Jobson > [I take a deep breath. I'm not sure where that swell of desperation came from, but know that I've acknowledge it, it's impossible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-take-a-deep-breath-i-m-not-sure-where-that-swell-of-desperation/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Take a deep breath and try to see how you can make things work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-welling/take-a-deep-breath-and-try-to-see-how-you-can-make-things-work/) [Tom Welling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-welling/) > [Go for broke. Always try and do too much. Dispense with safety nets. Take a deep breath before you begin talking. Aim for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/go-for-broke-always-try-and-do-too-much-dispense-with-safety-nets/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I feel like you have to be so precise in what you are going to say, or you can be hammered if you say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/i-feel-like-you-have-to-be-so-precise-in-what-you-are-going-to-say-or/) [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jessica-parker/) > [One of the hardest things I've had to learn is to let it go. At the end of the show or the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taissa-farmiga/one-of-the-hardest-things-i-ve-had-to-learn-is-to-let-it-go-at-the/) [Taissa Farmiga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taissa-farmiga/) > [I also think pronunciation of a foreign tongue could be better taught than by demanding from the pupil those internal acrobatic feats that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/i-also-think-pronunciation-of-a-foreign-tongue-could-be-better-taught/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Leaving a great organization and a lucrative contract is not easy, but it allows me to take a deep breath and work on things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-busch/leaving-a-great-organization-and-a-lucrative-contract-is-not-easy-but/) [Kurt Busch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-busch/) > [Take a deep breath. Get present in the moment and ask yourself what is important this very second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-mckeown/take-a-deep-breath-get-present-in-the-moment-and-ask-yourself-what-is/) [Greg McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-mckeown/) > [If I feel frustrated in a situation, I take a deep breath and walk away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iman-abdulmajid/if-i-feel-frustrated-in-a-situation-i-take-a-deep-breath-and-walk-away/) [Iman Abdulmajid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iman-abdulmajid/) > [I have so much chaos in my life, it's become normal. You become used to it. You have to just relax, calm down, take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-welling/i-have-so-much-chaos-in-my-life-it-s-become-normal-you-become-used-to/) [Tom Welling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-welling/) > [During a panic attack, I remember that today is just today and that is all that it is. I take a deep breath in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-greenfield/during-a-panic-attack-i-remember-that-today-is-just-today-and-that-is/) [Max Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-greenfield/) > [In life you are going to make mistakes, you're going to fall down, but it's the getting up that counts. Just like in baseball:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/in-life-you-are-going-to-make-mistakes-you-re-going-to-fall-down-but/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [If you take a deep breath and look around, 'Look what's happening to me!' can become 'Look what's happening!' And what's happening? The incredible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-boorstein/if-you-take-a-deep-breath-and-look-around-look-what-s-happening-to-me/) [Sylvia Boorstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-boorstein/) > [I get upset over a bad shot just like anyone else. But it's silly to let the game get to you. When I miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hope/i-get-upset-over-a-bad-shot-just-like-anyone-else-but-it-s-silly-to/) [Bob Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hope/) ## More by Mary Anne Radmacher > [Go ahead. Weep for the rare, the never seen this way again, the excruciating, ineffable, unmitigated beauty of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/go-ahead-weep-for-the-rare-the-never-seen-this-way-again-the/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [Change of any sort requires courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/change-of-any-sort-requires-courage/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [Courage doesn't always roar, sometimes it's the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering 'I will try again tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/courage-doesn-t-always-roar-sometimes-it-s-the-quiet-voice-at-the-end/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [In whose wonder do you get to participate today?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/in-whose-wonder-do-you-get-to-participate-today/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [Discover the tools to build your own vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/discover-the-tools-to-build-your-own-vision/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [Loving is the most unmitigated and courageous act I perform in a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/loving-is-the-most-unmitigated-and-courageous-act-i-perform-in-a-day/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [Expressing gratitude seems like a cosmic invitation for all kinds of thankfulness and appreciation to pour in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/expressing-gratitude-seems-like-a-cosmic-invitation-for-all-kinds-of/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [May your season shine with delight and surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/may-your-season-shine-with-delight-and-surprise/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [Vision stands on the shoulders of what is actual to get a better view of what is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/vision-stands-on-the-shoulders-of-what-is-actual-to-get-a-better-view/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [The opportunity for greater courage comes in the most ordinary of moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/the-opportunity-for-greater-courage-comes-in-the-most-ordinary-of/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [Stand often in the company of dreamers: they tickle your common sense & believe you can achieve things which are impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/stand-often-in-the-company-of-dreamers-they-tickle-your-common-sense/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [There is no small act of kindness. Every compassionate act makes large the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/there-is-no-small-act-of-kindness-every-compassionate-act-makes-large/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [That I was born to this circle - I am blessed. That I choose to stand in this circle - I am proud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/that-i-was-born-to-this-circle-i-am-blessed-that-i-choose-to-stand-in/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [Your success will shine as a light of hope and inspire numbers you cannot total.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/your-success-will-shine-as-a-light-of-hope-and-inspire-numbers-you/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [How is it that one rails against that which is nearly a certainty?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/how-is-it-that-one-rails-against-that-which-is-nearly-a-certainty/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) [Explore all 212 Mary Anne Radmacher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) ## More Breath quotes > [“The days may last forever, but the years pass by in a blink; the secret to survival is actually remembering to take a deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-smokler/the-days-may-last-forever-but-the-years-pass-by-in-a-blink-the-secret/) [Jill Smokler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-smokler/) > [Dawn's faint breath breathes with your mouth at the ends of empty streets. Gray light your eyes, sweet drops of dawn on dark hills.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/dawn-s-faint-breath-breathes-with-your-mouth-at-the-ends-of-empty/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [Take a deep breath. It,s just a bad day not a bad life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/take-a-deep-breath-it-s-just-a-bad-day-not-a-bad-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I stopped loving you today, But OMG..., Seeing your Body takes my breath away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becka-miller/i-stopped-loving-you-today-but-omg-seeing-your-body-takes-my-breath/) [Becka Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becka-miller/) > [So we must do our very best Whatever life may bring And look beyond the winter chill To smell the breath of spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-we-must-do-our-very-best-whatever-life-may-bring-and-look-beyond/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its divine movements or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. To do both is supreme…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/poetry-should-be-vital-either-stirring-our-blood-by-its-divine/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [“The first step in awareness is to be watchful of your body. Slowly,slowly one becomes alert about each gesture,each movement. And as you become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/the-first-step-in-awareness-is-to-be-watchful-of-your-body-slowly/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [Tic Tacs are the maracas of breath mints.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/tic-tacs-are-the-maracas-of-breath-mints/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [“To control your life, control your mind. To control your mind, control your breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/to-control-your-life-control-your-mind-to-control-your-mind-control/) [Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/) > [“He’s sitting so close, I can feel his breath on my cheek. My stomach flip-flops again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-s-sitting-so-close-i-can-feel-his-breath-on-my-cheek-my-stomach/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“My life to yours. My breath beecome yours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/my-life-to-yours-my-breath-beecome-yours/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [“My heart is your heart," she whispers, and wow that takes my breath away, this line from my childhood that she always used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annabel-pitcher/my-heart-is-your-heart-she-whispers-and-wow-that-takes-my-breath-away/) [Annabel Pitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annabel-pitcher/) > [Good manners and bad breath will get you nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-costello/good-manners-and-bad-breath-will-get-you-nowhere/) [Elvis Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-costello/) > [“Being able to be myself was like being able to exhale for the first time after holding my breath for years. It’s only when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/404-ink/being-able-to-be-myself-was-like-being-able-to-exhale-for-the-first/) 404 Ink [Browse all 1,839 Breath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Take a deep breath and do the difficult thing first.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mary Anne Radmacher" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult-thing-first/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Breath" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult-thing-first/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c91/mary-anne-radmacher-1742_deep-breath_take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult_2146064.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c91/mary-anne-radmacher-1742_deep-breath_take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult_2146064.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c91/mary-anne-radmacher-1742_deep-breath_take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult_2146064.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Take a deep breath and do the difficult thing first.” — Mary Anne Radmacher", "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": "Mary Anne Radmacher", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Take a deep breath and do...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult-thing-first/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/take-a-deep-breath-and-do-the-difficult-thing-first/#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 } } ] } ```