Efficiency: English Vocabulary List

used to imply that monitoring or measuring something is not enough to achieve progress or improvement, and that action and changes are necessary for tangible results

"Measuring progress does not create progress — you do not fatten a pig by weighing it."

"Constant performance reviews without real support changed nothing — you do not fatten a pig by weighing it."

used to imply that individuals who are self-reliant and self-sufficient can make decisions and take action more quickly than those who need to consult with or depend on others

"Working alone is often faster — he travels fastest who travels alone."

"She handled the task herself rather than coordinating a group — he travels fastest who travels alone."

used to imply that a task or job that is relatively small or easy to do can be completed quickly and with minimal effort

"Small tasks are done quickly — a short horse is soon curried."

"The minor update took ten minutes — a short horse is soon curried."

used to emphasize that if a task or work is done poorly or inadequately, it will require additional effort and time to correct or redo it properly

"Do it right the first time — a work ill done must be twice done."

"The rushed report needed a full rewrite — a work ill done must be twice done."

used to imply that it is wise to be prepared and have resources available, even if they may not be needed immediately, rather than facing a situation without the necessary tools or resources

"It is better to have something and not need it — better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

"Always carry an umbrella in your bag, because better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

used to suggest that being busy can actually lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness, allowing people to get more done in less time and enjoy more leisure time as a result

"Productive people know how to use their time well — busiest men have the most leisure."

"Despite her packed schedule, she always seemed relaxed — busiest men have the most leisure."

used to suggest that too much planning and discussion can lead to inaction or delay

"Committees plan but rarely act — councils of war never fight."

"The task force met three times and produced no outcome — councils of war never fight."

used to imply that simplicity and minimalism are often more effective, aesthetically pleasing, or efficient than complexity or excess

"Doing less can achieve more — less is more."

"She cut half the slides from the presentation and it became far more powerful — less is more."

used to suggest that if someone else is available or paid to do a task, it is not efficient or worthwhile for one to do it

"Do not do things yourself that others can do for you — why keep a dog and bark yourself."

"You hired a great team, so stop micromanaging every task — why keep a dog and bark yourself?"

used to suggest that the true value of an item, service, or idea is determined by what people are willing to pay for it

"Something is worth whatever someone will pay for it — the worth of a thing is what it will bring."

"No matter how beautiful the painting is, the worth of a thing is what it will bring at auction."

used to imply that as long as a situation or event has a successful or satisfactory conclusion, any difficulties or problems that occurred along the way are ultimately unimportant

"All is well ends well."

"Despite the initial chaos, the wedding was beautiful, proving that all is well that ends well."

used to imply that starting the day early with a clear mind can lead to greater productivity and accomplishment than the same amount of time spent later in the day

"Morning hours are more productive — an hour in the morning is worth two in the evening."

"She tackled the hardest tasks first thing — an hour in the morning is worth two in the evening."

used to highlight the idea that investing energy and effort into a single endeavor can yield better results than dividing efforts across multiple tasks or projects

"Focus on one task for better results."

"It is often better to concentrate your efforts on one project than to spread yourself too thin across many."