If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done.

The line wryly reframes procrastination as a functional part of human productivity: deadlines and urgency often supply the focus, adrenaline, and prioritization that routine time does not. Rather than celebrating delay, it points to a common behavioral truth—many people do their clearest triage and most decisive work when consequences are imminent. The humor also critiques modern work culture’s reliance on crisis-driven efficiency, suggesting that without the pressure of “the last minute,” tasks might drift indefinitely amid competing demands and distractions. As a maxim, it captures the paradox that constraint can be enabling, turning time scarcity into a catalyst for action.

“If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.”
“If it wasn’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.”
“If it weren’t for the last minute, a lot of things wouldn’t get done.”