Plannerisms: 15 project management sayings to inspire you

When it comes to project management and planning, those working in construction know the grind better than anyone. Whether you’re out in the field or coordinating from the office, keeping projects running smoother than a well-oiled machine takes a lot of early starts and late evenings.

Planning isn’t just about blueprints and schedules; it’s about staying sharp, rolling with the punches and — sometimes — finding humor in the chaos.

That’s why we’ve rounded up 15 quotes and sayings that every construction pro can relate to, whether you’re wearing a hard hat or holding a clipboard. Some are insightful, some are sharp and some might have been written by an unhinged Canada goose pecking a keyboard.

“Predicament,” from the They Can Talk comic series. Image courtesy of creator Jimmy Craig.

We hope these snippets inspire you to attack your next project with the confidence of a DIYer who thinks they can remodel their bathroom in one weekend.

1. “If everything on the list is high priority, you don’t have a list. You have a row of important things.”
2. “Done is better than perfect.” — Sheryl Sandberg
3. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin
   
4. “Poor planning on your part does not necessitate an emergency on mine.” — Bob Carter
5. “Hope is not a strategy.” — James Cameron
6. “I don’t have the time or the crayons to explain this to you.”
7. “The light at the end of the tunnel is just the light of an oncoming train.” — Robert Lowell
8. “Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.” — Winston Churchill
   
9. “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes … but no plans.” — Peter F. Drucker
10. “Planning without action is futile; action without planning is fatal.” — Cornelius Fichtner
11. “You can use an eraser on the drafting table or a sledgehammer on the construction site.” — Frank Lloyd Wright
12. “A good plan violently executed Now is better than a perfect plan next week.” — General George S. Patton
13. “The person who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.” — Dale Carnegie
14. “Winners are losers who got up and gave it one more try.” — Dennis DeYoung
    
15. “In teamwork, silence isn’t golden … it’s deadly.” — Mark Sanborn

And for more inspiration …

Need something a little stronger than inspirational quotes and sayings? We have just the thing — digital planning tools to make your next project a success.