Achieve Quote by Tom Butler-Bowdon
“We want everything in a hurry because our primary aim must be survival in the short term. Long term thinking has seemed like a luxury in human history because lives were shorter, but with our increased longevity we have to figure out what to DO with all our time, and to pace ourselves to achieve things that we want. Hobbes might have been right when he originally wrote that life is 'nasty, poor, brutish and short', but today we are AWASH with time.”
About This Quote
Human urgency stems from survival needs; now longer lives demand deliberate long‑term planning and pacing.
In simple terms: We used to rush because life was short; now we must plan for the future.
Key Takeaway
Balance immediate needs with future goals.
Themes
time management
long‑term planning
human nature
survival
longevity
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career development
- personal growth
- financial planning
- health and wellness
- education
Key Concepts
Existential urgency
future orientation
strategic pacing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you allocate time for future goals today?
- What habits help balance short‑ and long‑term needs?
A Different Perspective
Long‑term projects may feel abstract and lack immediate reward.
