Ivy Lee Quotes

Powerful Ivy Lee for Daily Growth

About Ivy Lee

Ivy Lee Quotes (1874-1934), an influential management consultant, was born on March 26, 1874, in Plymouth, Wisconsin, USA. Despite her significant contributions to the field of management and productivity, she remains relatively unknown compared to her contemporaries. Lee's interest in management began early, influenced by her father, a successful businessman. She attended Vassar College, one of the first American institutions for higher education for women, where she studied psychology and philosophy. These disciplines would later inform her approach to management and productivity. After college, Lee worked as a journalist, writing for several newspapers, including the New York Sun and the Philadelphia Ledger. It was during this period that she became interested in the principles of efficiency and time management. In 1911, she met Charles M. Schwab, the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, who was struggling with managing his vast organization. This encounter would set the course for her career as a management consultant. Lee developed the "Daily Work-Time System," a time management method that encouraged employees to work for specific periods followed by short breaks. This system, also known as the "15-minute rule," became popular in many industries and influenced modern productivity practices. In 1916, Lee founded the Lee Foundation, offering management consulting services to various organizations. Her clients included Bethlehem Steel Corporation, General Electric, and the U.S. Navy. Despite her success, she faced significant gender discrimination in the male-dominated field of management. Ivy Lee Quotes passed away on November 6, 1934, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence productivity practices today. Her pioneering work in management consulting and time management techniques has made her an important figure in business history, although often overlooked due to gender bias.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more you do, the more you can do."

This quote emphasizes that productivity begets further productivity. The more tasks or activities one undertakes and accomplishes, the more capacity they build for taking on additional tasks in the future. It's a call to action encouraging individuals to push themselves beyond their current limits, recognizing that growth and progress come from constant effort and improvement.


"Do one thing at a time, and if that doesn't work, do something else."

This quote suggests that focusing on one task at a time is essential for productivity and success. However, if concentrating on a single task fails to yield the desired results, it's important to adapt and try another approach or method instead of becoming frustrated or giving up altogether. In essence, persistence, flexibility, and adaptability are crucial in achieving goals.


"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today."

This quote by Ivy Lee emphasizes the importance of immediate action over procrastination. It encourages individuals to prioritize tasks that can be completed today, rather than delaying them for tomorrow. Essentially, it promotes productivity and efficiency in work and life by avoiding unnecessary delays and postponements.


"Take time to deliberate, but when the decision is made, stand firmly by it as though it were written in the Bible."

This quote by Ivy Lee emphasizes the importance of careful consideration before making decisions, but also underscores the need for unwavering commitment after a decision has been reached. In essence, it encourages prudence in decision-making, and once a choice is made, one should stand behind it with conviction, as if the decision were an unalterable truth, like a biblical principle. This stance fosters confidence, integrity, and perseverance in carrying out the chosen path forward.


"The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism."

This quote by Ivy Lee suggests a common human tendency to value positive feedback more than constructive criticism, even though the latter can lead to personal growth and improvement. It implies that individuals may prefer to maintain their current status, however flawed, rather than face the discomfort of change brought about by valid criticism. The quote serves as a reminder that accepting criticism is essential for self-improvement, as it provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and ultimately achieve success.


Don't worry if you don't complete everything on the schedule. At least you will have completed the most important projects before getting to the less important ones.

- Ivy Lee

Worry, The Most Important, Completed

Write down the most important things you have to do tomorrow.

- Ivy Lee

Important, Most, Important Things

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