January 11, 2026

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."

Michael Altshuler
Did you find this inspiring?
Quote Image

Explanation

Time really does disappear; years blend together if we let them. The bright part of Altshuler's line is that while you can’t slow the clock, you can steer how it’s spent. That means choosing what matters, saying no to the rest, and carving small routines that add up: a weekly call with a friend, an hour for learning, or finally finishing that project. It’s not about controlling every minute but deciding where you point your energy. Think of it like adjusting your course on a long flight: small corrections keep you headed toward the life you actually want, one deliberate choice at a time.

About the Author

Michael Altshuler is an American motivational speaker and author whose career as a corporate trainer and keynote presenter has spanned the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He made his mark delivering short, witty, practical aphorisms and workshops to businesses, schools, and community groups, and collected many of his sayings in pamphlets and booklets. Altshuler is most remembered for pithy, optimistic lines like “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” That quip captures his habit of turning everyday anxieties about time into an empowering call to personal responsibility and choice.