Motivational Quotes to Keep You Going Strong

Are you feeling like you’re running on empty? Consider looking to motivational quotes to keep you going strong. When I’m feeling overwhelmed or need a boost, they are my secret weapon. There’s power in clear, succinct statements that prompt an emotional response or the fortitude to improve oneself and overcome obstacles.

Because it seems like so many people are running on empty right now due to larger concerns on a national and global level, the topic of motivation feels more relevant than ever. When personal and larger-scale concerns weigh on you, you may find it challenging to focus on career development or fully engage in your job search campaign, so I encourage you to identify a handful of your own “go to” statements that you can refer to regularly to help you make progress toward your goals.

20 Motivational Quotes to Keep You Going Strong

In the book I’m currently reading, Someday Is Not a Day in the Week by Sam Horn, each section starts with a quote. Some quotes are from famous philosophers while others are from actors, comedians, business leaders, humanitarians, and authors. All the quotes are inspiring and nudge the reader to take action. Here are a few gems:

“It is our choices that show us who we truly are, far more than our abilities.”—J. K. Rowling

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”—Albert Einstein

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.”—Steve Jobs

“We can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.”—Tina Fey

Reading this book prompted me to pause and reflect on my favorites, so I thought I’d share my top motivational quotes to keep you going strong. Some, I’m sure, will be familiar while others might be new to you.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”—Theodore Roosevelt

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”—Henry Ford

“Jump while you can.”—Joshua Becker

“Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been.”—Jimmy Buffett

“Wherever you are, be there.”—Ivan Misner

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity.”—Amelia Earhart

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”—Vince Lombardi

“Don’t wish it were easier. Wish you were better.” —Jim Rohn

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”—Eleanor Roosevel

“Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.”—Charles Swindoll

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”—Mother Teresa

“It takes no more time to see the good side of life than the bad.”—Jimmy Buffett

“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.”—Sheryl Sandberg

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”—Maya Angelou

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” —John C. Maxwell

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it, and hang on.”—Franklin D. Roosevelt

Statements like these underscore the fact that we all struggle and face self-doubt. Jimmy Buffett, the king of feel-good beach music and the escapist mentality, would not appreciate the value of seeing the good side of life if he hadn’t experienced the bad side. FDR, one of the most famous leaders of the twentieth century (who lived most of his life in a wheelchair) was tested in ways many of us can’t fathom. His wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, surely had people trying to make her feel less than.

Perhaps more than anything, these statements make us realize we aren’t alone. They also tell us whatever we’re facing when we wake up in the morning is something we can overcome—perhaps even with optimism and excitement! Controlling our mindset and choosing to take a positive stance was a key message I learned while training under Jay Block’s direction for my certified empowerment coach credential. Even though there are many things that we can’t control at an individual level, how we act and perceive our situation largely dictates our mindset—and quality of life. Charles Swindoll’s thoughts on this matter were transformative for me: 90% of life is how I react to it. What a liberating idea!

Key Questions to Help You Shift Your Mindset

Below are some key questions and statements that can help you shift your mindset when you’re in a rut. They are even more powerful when stated out loud.

What’s the worst that can happen?

If not today, when? If not me, then who?

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. And that doesn’t mean the tough get up and leave!!!

If it’s got to be, it’s up to me.

Will the future me appreciate what I’m doing right now?

To reinforce the message, write statements and questions like these or your favorite motivational quotes on a sticky note and place the note in a prominent place, such as a bathroom mirror or office desk. You can also get them framed to display in your home. The near-constant visual reminder can be empowering and help you stay focused.

By taking a moment to reflect on such questions and statements, we can usually dig a little deeper and not only persevere but thrive. Self-coaching doesn’t fix the world—but you can use motivational quotes to keep you going strong and to muster the resolve on difficult days to continue fulfilling your mission in life.