--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Law Number XXXIX: Never promise to…" description: "\"Law Number XXXIX: Never promise to complete any project within six months of the end of the year, in either direction.\" — Norman Ralph Augustine" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/norman-ralph-augustine-10805_ends_law-number-xxxix-never-promise-to-comple_179112.png" --- # Law Number XXXIX: Never promise to complete any project… ![“Law Number XXXIX: Never promise to complete any project within six months of the end of the year, in either direction.” quote by Norman Ralph Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/norman-ralph-augustine-10805_ends_law-number-xxxix-never-promise-to-comple_179112.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/norman-ralph-augustine-10805_ends_law-number-xxxix-never-promise-to-comple_179112.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ac/norman-ralph-augustine-10805_ends_law-number-xxxix-never-promise-to-comple_179112.png) > “Law Number XXXIX: Never promise to complete any project within six months of the end of the year, in either direction.” [Norman Ralph Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-ralph-augustine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Promises about project timelines are unreliable because many factors can shift dates beyond control. **In simple terms:** Project dates are uncertain. Key Takeaway Avoid firm deadlines far ahead. Themes project management planning risk expectations Mood cautious realistic Type advisory pragmatic When to use this quote - software development - construction - research projects - product launches - event planning Key Concepts uncertainty schedule risk stakeholder communication Questions to Reflect On - How can you build flexibility into project timelines? - What communication helps manage expectations? A Different Perspective Overly rigid promises can damage credibility if delays occur. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [End Of The Year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-year/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) ## Related quotes > [“Never promise to complete a project within six months of the end of the year--in either direction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-augustine/never-promise-to-complete-a-project-within-six-months-of-the-end-of/) Norman Augustine > [If you would shut up any man with any woman, so as to make them derive their whole pleasure from each other, they would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-you-would-shut-up-any-man-with-any-woman-so-as-to-make-them-derive/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [When youre the lead actor in a drama, you have 2 1/2 months at the end of a season to do other projects, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-kanakaredes/when-youre-the-lead-actor-in-a-drama-you-have-2-1-2-months-at-the-end/) [Melina Kanakaredes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-kanakaredes/) > [I've seen, and experienced, the anxiety of not being able to find work for months on end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/i-ve-seen-and-experienced-the-anxiety-of-not-being-able-to-find-work/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [I had a taste of a championship in San Antonio, and that was big for me. 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