“It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.”
- January 3, 1892 – September 2, 1973
- Born in the Orange Free State (British)
- Author, linguist
- Wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and built the foundations of modern fantasy literature
Quote
“It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.”
Explanation
This quote speaks to the procrastination and the paradox of starting. The idea is that the longer you delay or avoid beginning a task, the more it stretches out, and the harder it seems to complete. In other words, the anticipation and fear of starting can make the task seem more difficult than it really is, and once you begin, the work often progresses faster than you expect. Tolkien’s point is that sometimes the key to overcoming a task is simply taking the first step, no matter how daunting it may appear.
Tolkien, particularly through the character of Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings, explores the theme of reluctance in facing challenges. Frodo’s journey begins with a sense of dread and uncertainty, and the task of destroying the One Ring feels overwhelming at first. Yet, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the longest part of the journey was simply deciding to begin, and after that initial step, the path unfolds in ways that make the task seem less insurmountable. The line highlights how hesitation and inaction often compound the difficulty of any undertaking, while the act of beginning can make the process feel much more manageable.
In modern contexts, this quote is a reminder about the importance of overcoming inertia and starting tasks, no matter how overwhelming they might seem. Whether it’s starting a new project, pursuing a personal goal, or even just organizing something you’ve been putting off, the delay often makes the task seem much larger than it is. The moment you begin, the task becomes clearer, and the sense of accomplishment that follows can build momentum. The quote encourages us to stop overthinking and take the first step, because once we start, we often find that the job is not as difficult as we imagined.
