It takes far less energy to ...

It takes far less energy to move from first-rate performance to excellence than it does to move from incompetence to mediocrity.
It takes far less energy to move from first-rate performance to excellence than it does to move from incompetence to mediocrity.

More phrases

An "I know what I like" mentality is hard to shake, but of course appreciation has space for being challenged.
 Ryan Gander
SHUCHU RYOKU - Focus all your energy to one point.
 Gozo Shioda
The warrior knows that the most important words in all languages are the small words. Yes. Love. God. They are words that are easy enough to say and which fill vast empty spaces.
The Warrior lives a life full of adventure, living on the edge of opportunity. Life on the edge keeps him in a space of heightened awareness and totally in the moment; therefore no matter what comes his way he is always prepared.
 James Arthur Ray
Seeing energy as it flows is an imperious need on the path of knowledge. Ultimately, all the effort of sorcerers is guided to that end. It is not enough for a warrior to know that the universe is energy; he has to verify it for himself.

Quotes from the same author

The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.
Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.
The best way to predict your future is to create it.
There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.
Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.