The Best 100 Inspirational Sayings, Quotes, and Words to Lift You Up

It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.

~Leonardo da Vinci (Renaissance Man/Inventor)

Though you’ve heard the expression “good things come to those who wait”, da Vinci believed good things come to those who make things happen.

Usually, when people wait for things to come to them, it’s because they’re lazy, not because waiting is the best thing for them to do.

Think about this:

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Do you achieve our goals when you wait around for a stroke of luck…

…or when you roll up your sleeves and chase those goals?

As you work, you’ll get closer and closer to achieving your dreams. Take da Vinci… he painted the Mona Lisa, invented the helicopter, and engineered canal systems and waterways… he clearly didn’t wait for things to happen to him.

So what’s the takeaway da Vinvi’s inspirational words?

If you want good things to happen to you, roll up your sleeves and get to work.

A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.

~Colin Powell (American Statesman/Retired Four-Star General

We all know the person who has dreams, but waits around for the “right time” for things to “fall into place” before they do something about it.

Now… doesn’t that sound a little crazy?

Of course it does.

If it’s your dream it will have to be your effort that makes it a reality…

…you won’t live your dream if you wait aimlessly for a magical moment of luck.

Instead, take your future into your own hands, and pour in the sweat, determination and hard work that is needed for your dream to become reality.

Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.

~Napoleon Hill (American Author)

A lot of people wait to start something new like a diet, workout plan, or job search until the next day…

…and eventually the next day will turn into next week and then next month and that person is still waiting for the “right time”.

But… here’s a secret:

There isn’t a “right time” for things to just happen… the right time to become a better, stronger, or more skillful person is right now.

Here’s the bottom line:

You only have so much time to achieve everything you want in your lifetime… so don’t waste any of it just waiting.

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

~C.S. Lewis (British Novelist/Poet)

There is no age limit on dreaming. Sometimes it’s not until later in life that some people find a new purpose.

For example:

Legendary comedian Rodney Dangerfield didn’t reach his peak until after he was 40.

Popular actor Morgan Freeman didn’t win his first Golden Globe until age 53, and wasn’t even in major films until after he was 40.

Look:

Don’t feel like it’s ever too late to start something new. If chasing a new dream will make you happy, just do it!

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

~Lao Tzu (Ancient Chinese Poet and Author

It can be hard to be satisfied with just a small effort.

Think about it:

When you look at your entire plan for success, it’s easy to feel defeated if all you can do right now is make a small step toward your goal… you want to make giant leaps instead.

But here’s the thing:

No matter how small each effort is…

…it’s progress!

It can be a bunch of small steps that lead you to your overall dream… and if small steps are all you can do right now, that’s fine.

Remain patient with yourself, and push toward your goal! Remember… you succeed just by moving forward.

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.

~Ayn Rand (Russian-born American Novelist/Philosopher/Playwright)

What’s your dream that fills you with passion and ambition?

You could want an awesome career, a life filled with adventures, or a loving partner, to name a few.

Now… this motivational quote is actually a wake-up call:

No matter what you want to achieve, don’t let any person (or any obstacle) stop you.

No one has the power to “let” you do what you want… you have the right to pursue happiness and a better life for yourself.

Find a way around each obstacle in the path to your dream, because what you want is worth it!

If not us, who? If not now, when?

~John F. Kennedy (35th U.S. President)

This is your call to action.

You know what needs to be done to reach your goals, and guess what…

…nobody is going to do it for you.

There’s not a more perfect time than now, and there is no one more capable than you to achieve your dreams.

Use these inspirational words to stay motivated by remembering how awesome your dream is, stay inspired by listening to positive people tell you can do it, and make it happen now while you’re excited!

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.

~Thomas A. Edison (American Inventor)

Like most inventors… Edison didn’t create a perfectly-working invention the very first time he tried.

In fact… he and his team tried thousands of materials for several years before they found the right conductor for commercial electric light.

His secret?

Even in moments of frustration and discouragement, he remembered he hadn’t failed… he simply hadn’t succeeded yet.

Here’s the bottom line:

Maybe what you’re searching for is just around the corner… don’t give up and miss it!

Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.

~Babe Ruth (Seven-Time World Series Champion)

Here’s the thing:

Your past is a great reference to see what didn’t work last time, but you should never define yourself by what went wrong in the past.

Now:

While you should remember failures you’ve had… don’t beat yourself up, but do examine and see why what you did didn’t work.

If you can do that consistently…

…you won’t make the same mistakes twice, and you’ll be a stronger, smarter man, ready for your next home run!

What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

~Robert H. Schuller (American Motivational Speaker/Author)

Most men are too fearful of failure, the unknown, or others’ reactions to chase their dream.

But… what if fear didn’t exist? What if you weren’t weighed down by self-doubt, anxiety and worry? What would you be left with?

Clarity. Focus. Determination.

You’d have a clear, optimistic mind, that wasn’t concerned with stress, doubt and failure… but instead on pushing forward, past setbacks and shortcomings, and hyper-focused on accomplishing your goals.

There is something beautiful about a blank canvas, the nothingness of the beginning that is so simple and breathtakingly pure. It’s the paint that changes its meaning and the hand that creates the story. Every piece begins the same, but in the end they are all uniquely different.

~Piper Payne

Everyone’s life began with the same blank canvas… as just a baby with no knowledge, passions, hobbies or career desires.

But:

Your experiences and choices over time changed you into who you are now, and you have different dreams, histories and struggles than your peers… your life may have even had a new blank canvas at some point (after a job loss, breakup, or family trouble).

Now get this:

You can’t compare your achievements to anyone else’s, because you have very different stories, and your life’s ‘canvas’ isn’t finished.

You’re still writing your story, so don’t judge it as a finished work of art yet.

Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.

~Victor Kiam (Entrepreneur/Former New England Patriots Owner)

Many people view a failure as the end of the road to success.

They will think that the mistake they made is too big to keep going… that there’s no point in continuing because they’ve already proven that they can’t do it.

But here’s the thing:

After you’ve fallen, you get a chance to pause… and look at your mistake up close.

You can learn why you failed, and you get a chance to understand what you could have done to avoid falling.

And it gets better:

After you pick yourself up and continue to move forward, you’ll realize that you’re strong… and that a little bump in the road won’t stop you from reaching your dream.

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you too can become great.

~Mark Twain (American Author)

Have you ever heard the phrase “iron sharpens iron”?

It refers to how only a strong iron sword was used to shave away the imperfections of another iron sword.

Weaker materials than iron would break or dent… and the iron sword’s imperfections would never be removed.

How does this relate to inspiration?

It’s a reminder and a wake-up call:

The people you surround yourself with shouldn’t sap your inspiration…

…they should build you up, make you stronger, and let you know you can be great. If this isn’t how the people around you make you feel… it’s time to find new people!

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

~Henry David Thoreau (American Author/Poet)

There are two parts of Thoreau’s inspirational quote that stick out:

1. Go confidently into your future
2. Find the direction of your dreams

‘Go confidently’ is a pretty clear command… don’t be afraid of failing, because any forward motion toward your dreams is better than no motion at all.

Now:

You should also create a clear direction for your life so you can know what the best steps are to achieve the dream.

Try these steps if you need ideas how to start moving in the direction of your dream:

Be smart with your money (save what you can), commit to doing your best work (not just working late), and surround yourself with positive influences (iron sharpens iron!).

When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.

~Eric Thomas (Motivational Speaker)

If you’ve ever had the wind knocked out of you, then you know the feeling of suffocating… the feeling of wanting nothing more than your next breath.

Now:

If you focus on achieving your goals as intensely as you do catching your next breath…

…then you’ll undoubtedly find success.

Need proof?

Eric Thomas was homeless in Detroit for years before he decided to go to college… and even then it took him 12 years to get an undergrad degree. But since he was hyper-focused on succeeding as a motivational speaker, he now influences millions of people worldwide.

Here’s the bottom line:

If you need success as much as you need air, you’ll work incredibly hard to get it.

Check out this incredibly motivational video with more from Eric Thomas:

You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

~Christopher Columbus (Italian Explorer/Navigator in the 1400’s)

Check this out:

To travel from Europe to Asia in the 1400’s, ships sailed south around Africa on a long, slow, winding journey.

Columbus was determined to find a better route and courageously did something few men ever had:

Sail west into the unknown, uncharted Atlantic.

Now:

While he didn’t find a direct route to Asia, he did discover the New World, and earned a permanent place in the history books.

Here’s the takeaway from Columbus’ inspirational quote:

Fear of the unknown holds you back, while courage will lead you to more opportunities and more success.

There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.

~Napoleon Hill (Author, Think and Grow Rich)

Hill’s inspirational saying outlines three simple but vital steps to get what you want in life:

Step #1: Know exactly what you want.

Step #2: Believe wholeheartedly in your ability to get it.

Step #3: Stay hungry and don’t let anything stop you.

Now:

To me, step #3 is by far the most important… and here’s why:

Those who stay hungry for success don’t lose sight of their goals… because it’s this hunger that fuels you to work hard, to stay focused and to overcome any obstacle in your way.

So… follow the steps above, stay hungry and you’ll inevitably achieve your goals.

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.

~Albert Einstein (German Theoretical Physicist)

A small mistake may lead to a failure in something you’re trying to accomplish…

…but you should look at those mistakes as stepping stones. Without them, there is no way to grow or test your strength in difficult times.

Here’s the bottom line:

Learn from mistakes to better yourself and don’t let the fear of making one hold you back from trying new things.

Instead, use the lessons you learn from mistakes to accomplish those new things better and faster than before!

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.

~Dalai Lama (World-Renowned Tibetan Buddhist Monk)

Here’s something we can both agree on:

People generally want to increase their level of happiness with their lives.

For example:

You probably want a stable job, a great relationship, or exciting adventures that make great memories… and here’s the thing:

Happiness is achievable for you… you just have to be willing to act for it.

How?

Ask for the promotion, invest time in your relationships, and save money (for travel, for a house, for a safety net) so your dreams can be real.

Don’t compare yourself with anyone in this world. If you do so, you are insulting yourself.

~Bill Gates (Microsoft Cofounder)

Here’s the deal:

The problem with comparing yourself to someone else is that you place their limitations on you and say that their best is your best.

That couldn’t be less true…

…because we are all gifted in different areas and your limitations are defined solely by you.

So:

Find what you are good at (or what you want to be good at) and practice what you need to in order to succeed…

…and you’ll be successful by your own standards, and not have to worry about anyone else’s.

So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don’t sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we’ve satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.

~Lee Iacocca (Automobile Executive)

Look:

Making a mistake is scary, but it should be equally as scary to you as never moving at all… after all, you can’t succeed if you don’t actively move toward your goal.

Even when you’re unsure about what to do, you can’t just wait to act until you’re absolutely sure…

…since so much could happen that’s out of your control, you’ll never be 100% sure that any plan will work.

Here’s the bottom line:

Sometimes you’ll have to just move forward with your passion, even through your doubts. It will be worth it in the end, when you succeed.

No one will hit you harder than life itself. It doesn’t matter how much you hit back. It’s about how much you can take, and keep fighting. How much can you suffer and keep moving forward? That is how you win.

~Anderson Silva (Former UFC Middleweight Champion)

Many people think Anderson “The Spider” Silva is one of the most inspirational fighters the UFC has ever seen, and it’s because of his amazing endurance.

Get this:

Silva is 40 years old and has been training since age 14, and even though he’s taken many beatings in the octagon, he still competes.

Now:

What’s beating you down? A bad work environment, romantic ‘failures’, family trouble, physical illness or disability?

No matter what it is… you can ‘win’ in your own ring against these hardships. Even though suffering will come, you have to take one hit at a time and not give up on yourself.

Keep moving forward through the pain, and you’ll find the strength to do it again.

And where I excel is ridiculous, sickening, work ethic. You know, while the other guy’s sleeping? I’m working.

~Will Smith (Actor)

No matter what type of work you do, you can find a way to do it even better.

You can stay late, study more, ask questions, volunteer for new projects, and stop complaining when you feel tired or defeated.

Now… listen to this:

To stand out against competitors you have to do what they won’t…

…make the sacrifices and put in the extra effort that separates you from the pack.

Here’s the bottom line:

You can attain career success and recognition, if you aren’t defined as one of the pack, but are exceptional in how hard you try to succeed.

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

~Wayne Gretzky (Former Professional Ice Hockey Player)

Is there something in your past you wish you would have done?

Maybe you didn’t ask someone out on a date, didn’t take an opportunity to travel, or didn’t ask for a raise you deserve… and now you regret your inaction.

What if you would have ‘made the shot’ with the girl, trip, or raise? Isn’t a 50% chance of succeeding better than a 0% chance?

Statistically, of course it is!

Here’s the bottom line:

There might be consequences to failing (wasted time, or wasted money) but if you take away the knowledge of how to succeed next time, you haven’t wasted everything.

In other words… you might fail, but you might not, so go for it!

Starting over can be the scariest thing in the entire world, whether it’s leaving a lover, a school, a team, a friend or anything else that feels like a core part of our identity, but when your gut is telling you that something here isn’t right or feels unsafe, I really want you to listen and trust in that voice.

~Jennifer Elisabeth (American Author and Founder, “Born Ready”)

Think about this:

You say things like I’m a drummer, I’m a husband, or I’m an engineer, because you use those actions to explain who you are (your identity) to others.

Now:

If you were forced to leave one of those activities, you might worry and think “If I’m not a drummer/husband/engineer, who am I?”

But get this… you’ve had to change your identity many times before… for example:

• You had to graduate from high school to get a job or go to college
• You had to break up with an old girlfriend to date your wife
• You had to leave a job to take a better job with more opportunity

At some point, you’ve left something old in your past… and it turned into a good thing for you. Don’t be afraid to start over with something new!

I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.

~Thomas Jefferson (3^rd U.S. President)

Here’s a secret:

Luck rarely exists in the working world.

For example:

Let’s say you don’t love your job, but you work your absolute best every day, and you maintain a positive attitude around your co-workers.

A peer remembers your positivity and great work when they leave the company, and they recommend you to their new boss.

You created a what seems like a “lucky” opportunity for yourself, but we know it wasn’t luck…

…it was a natural reaction to strong work ethic!

Now:

This doesn’t happen every day, but the example reminds you that you make your own good circumstances happen through your attitude.

With hard work, you won’t need to rely on luck for opportunities… you get to make them yourself.

The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.

~John C. Maxwell (Motivational Speaker/Author)

Even though we all hate to make mistakes…

…it’s good to remember that mistakes aren’t bad. They give you a new perspective and allow you to grow.

Here’s an example:

Maybe you tried to solve a problem recently, and you were sure your plan would work, but it didn’t (maybe your bad solution even created new problems).

Instead of beating yourself up for making that mistake, look at it as a learning moment.

You can learn something every time if you persevere through your mistakes…

…and use that new knowledge and do it better next time.

Listen:

Don’t fear the next mistake too much to make a move, because you’ll never accomplish anything, or learn anything, if you never move.

Get busy living or get busy dying.

~Stephen King (Highly-Acclaimed Author)

This is crazy:

Every second that ticks by is irreplaceable (we can’t go back), and technically, we’re all dying…

…we don’t have unlimited time to pursue our dreams.

So waste no time and get busy living!

Chase your career dreams, save money for a vacation, and make new friends: you won’t always have the opportunity to do so.

Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat (Fortune Favors the Brave).

~Terence (Roman playwright)

The people who achieve the most are those who are brave enough to go for it.

Now:

The fear of failure is very real for most, but good fortune can only come to you if you aren’t too afraid to try to achieve it.

If you’re bound by fear and need something to help you overcome it, we’ve got tons of great fear quotes here to help you become one of the brave few.

Don’t count the days, make the days count.

~Muhammad Ali (Former Professional Boxer)

When you have something to look forward to, either positive (a vacation, a date) or negative (a test, a long work day), you have two options:

1. Dread the time you have in between now and the big day
2. Take some action each day to prepare for the big day

Do you want to just sit around and dread the time passing?

Of course not!

Making the days count can be as simple as doing something productive rather than procrastinating and just watching the countdown

One great way to increase your productivity is to create an agenda with tasks outlined for the week.

Not only will you make the days count, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment that is great for your morale!

Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.

~Chris Grosser

While it may not always feel like it… you have the incredible power to create opportunities very easily.

Here’s how:

Simply put yourself in a different, new setting, and you’ll have the chance to meet new people…

…and these new people can allow you to create new opportunities.

They can open up opportunities for you to learn a new skill, try a new hobby, meet a great person or make a strategic career move…

…all because you were willing to leave the comfort of what you knew.

This inspirational saying is actually a wake-up call:

Stop waiting for opportunities to find you. Take action and create exciting opportunities for yourself by visiting new places with new people.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

~Confucius (Chinese Politician/Philosopher)

Simply put… progress is progress… and progressing forward is almost always better than standing still.

Why?

After you start a project, make the next move down a career path, or try to make yourself a better man in any way, you’re closer to finishing than you were back when it was just an idea in your head.

Think about it like this:

Even if you take a single, tiny, small step forward… you’ve made more progress than if you stood still.

So… what’s the bottom line?

Don’t worry about how quickly you’re moving… but never stop moving forward.

Make each day your masterpiece.

~John Wooden (Former Basketball Player and Coach)

For a work of art to be labeled as a “masterpiece”, it must be:

1. Complete (not unfinished)
2. Purposeful (not wandering)
3. Perfect (not full of mistakes)

Now… get this:

Each day of your life can be like a small masterpiece if you follow the same outline:

1. Complete each day by setting daily goals for yourself, and meet them.
2. Fulfill your purpose each day, by making steps toward a larger goal you’ve set.
3. Make each day perfect by abandoning imperfect attitudes.

Now… no one is really perfect… but if you can control your negative thoughts, you will get rid of a lot of your imperfect behaviors.

Every day, complete your daily goals, stay true to your purpose, and perfect your attitude toward yourself and those around you.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.

~Anatole France (French Poet)

Here’s something we can both agree on:

Acting and planning are highly actionable words, and most successful people are successful because they’ve acted on a carefully laid out plan.

But here’s the thing:

Acting according to a plan is great, and is a recipe for success…

…but that recipe alone is missing the components of dreaming (stretching for goals that might seem out of reach), and believing (that you’ll accomplish those dreams).

Regardless of what you want… act on your dreams and believe in yourself and your plans.

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

Nelson Mandela (President of South Africa 1994-1999)

Think back to a time you completed something incredibly difficult… maybe you had a seemingly impossible task at work, a tough physical goal, or even just a difficult conversation you had to have with someone.

Now:

Along the way, you probably had some thoughts, like “I’m not ready” or “I can’t do this”.

But what happened?

You got it done. You pushed through your doubts and overcame what you thought was hard or even impossible.

So, next time you face adversity, remember:

You’ve been here before… and you got it done… why’s this time any different?

I’d rather have a life of ‘oh wells’ than a life of ‘what ifs’.

~Unknown

Here’s something we can both agree on:

Wondering “what if” about a missed chance at a relationship, turned-down job opportunity, or a neglected hobby can drive a person crazy.

There’s a reason for that…

…most men have a deep desire to have new experiences, and not just exist in the same routine.

Even if you try something and it doesn’t work out (and you have to think to yourself “oh well”), at least you fulfilled your desire for growth and adventure.

Remember this:

When you’re old, it would be terrible to have to look back on a thousand “what-if’s”, so go for the opportunities you have now!

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson (American poet)

Many guys fall victim to pressure from parents, professors, or peers to have particular careers and hobbies, and they let others decide how they should meet these goals.

But here’s the thing:

If you blaze your own trail to the goals you set, you’ll have the most success.

Why?

Because the trail you cut for yourself will be on your terms… and play to your unique skills.

Let your own strengths and passions decide the best trail for you. No one knows you better than you… so don’t let anyone other than you set your path!

I cannot give you a formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody.

~Herbert Bayard Swope (First winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Reporting)

No matter what you do, there are just too many people around you for every single person to think what you’re doing, or the way you’re doing it, is best.

So what do you do when people loudly voice their opinions at you?

Unless they love you and truly want you to succeed, just ignore them.

Here’s the thing:

It’s your dream, and you know the best way to do it.

You can seek help from some people, but do it on your terms, and you won’t waste valuable time trying to please everybody.

The best revenge is massive success.

~Frank Sinatra (Singer/Actor)

Success is the best response to adversity from others.

Here’s why:

There are always people who believe you will fail at your dream…

…and nothing feels better than proving them wrong. Not only will you feel great about your success, but you’ll get the awesome feeling of knowing that you beat all the odds against you!

Now:

Go get the sweetest revenge on those who doubt you and be massively successful!

I realized a long time ago that instead of being jealous, you can be inspired and appreciative. It carries more energy to you… That can be an awesome motivating force that can improve your life if you choose to be inspired and not jealous. One (being jealous) has no benefit whatsoever, the other is an incredible resource for creating momentum and improvement.

~Joe Rogan (Comedian/Actor/UFC Commentator)

Jealousy is a very common feeling, because some people just seem to have an easy life. They were born into a wealthy family, or had a lucky career opportunity with quick success.

But:

Jealousy causes you to waste time comparing yourself to others, instead of focusing on your potential…

…and it moves you no closer to success.

Look:

You can’t focus on what others have that you don’t and get closer to your dream.

Jealousy will drain all your energy that you should spend on your own inspiration… spend time focusing on your own potential instead.

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.

~Pablo Picasso (20^th Century Spanish Artist)

Here’s the thing:

We are never promised a chance to work hard with our passions tomorrow, and we never know exactly how much time we have left.

Any number of things can happen that would prevent you from chasing your dream…

…so complete what you can when you’re able and avoid leaving work unfinished.

If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.

~Anthony Robbins (Self-help Author/Motivational Speaker)

Check this out:

If you want something new (a new job, new relationship, promotion, or award), you’ll have to do something different than you have been doing to get it. Makes sense, right? Your past actions led you to what you have now, and your future actions will have to be different to lead you to something else.

Remember this:

You can’t expect to get ahead at work, at the gym, or in a relationship by doing what you’re already doing.

Here’s the bottom line:

If you want something new out of your life, change your focus and direction to achieving it!

I never dream of success. I worked for it.

~Estee Lauder (American Businesswoman)

Dreams may start in your head, as a vision of what you want to accomplish…

…but they can’t just stay there if you want them to be real.

It won’t always be easy, but working toward your dream is the only way you’ll get there.

So… let those dreams out of your head! Start your journey to success now, even by taking a tiny step, and your dream can burst out of your imagination… and be on its way to becoming reality.

It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

~Howard Ruff (Financial Adviser/Writer)

The underlying message of this inspirational life quote is simple:

Plan ahead!

Now:

You don’t need to literally walk around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain, but you should have a plan for setbacks in the future.

If you’ve planned for life’s emergencies, you won’t be totally thrown off course and feel out of control… and won’t have to spend time worrying about what to do.

You’ll be grateful for your past self for taking care of the future!

The only reason we don’t have what we want in life is the reasons we create why we can’t have them.

~Tony Robbins (Motivational Speaker/Self-help author)

This inspirational saying is wake-up call from an incredible motivator:

You are the one who makes excuses for why you’re not doing your best.

For example:

You might say to yourself “I don’t have enough money to start my business, I’m not smart enough to impress that girl, no one ever helps me when I need it”, etc.

But… here’s the thing:

You have to stop making these excuses, because you definitely don’t get what you want if you don’t even try.

Excuses are for weaker men than you. There’s no excuse for not trying your best to reach your goal, so get up and do what you can to achieve it!

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me.

~Erma Bombeck (American Humorist)

We all know:

Every man is born with unique talents, and can turn them into amazing, artful skills (in music, design, communication, sports… anything!)

It gets better:

Only you possess your unique combination of talents. No one else can do everything you can do… they all have different skills.

Now… here’s the thing:

It doesn’t matter what your talent is… you can use it well.

Don’t waste any of your precious talents… find time to put them to use!

The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.

~Bruce Lee (Martial Artist and Actor)

Get this:

You don’t have to be extraordinarily gifted to be successful.

You don’t have to be a genius, or a superhuman athlete, or a business guru…

…you just need focus.

Look:

Focus on why you’re aiming at your specific goal, and then focus on how you’re going to get it done. That will give you a strong foundation (the ‘why’ that will continue to motivate you), then a strong action plan (the ‘how’ that you can fall back on during difficulties).

When a laser-like focus supports your foundation and directs your action plan, you’ll succeed.

Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated.

~Russell Warren

Here’s the thing:

When you’re really passionate about something, you become naturally dedicated to it, and you’ll enjoy the work that brings you closer to your goal.

Now:

Other people might say you’re just “obsessed” (temporarily consumed with dreams of reaching your goal), but in time, true dedication will show its results…

…you’ll achieve what you want!

Here’s the bottom line:

When you inevitably achieve your dream, doubters will see that it was your dedication, not just an obsession, that carried you through.

If you can’t outplay them, outwork them.

~Ben Hogan (Former American Professional Golfer)

We all know:

People have different skills. You excel in things some find extremely difficult… and you fall short to others in some areas.

But:

Your simple desire to be the best can make you even better than your competition.

Think about it:

If you study more, train harder, or prepare better than someone with natural skill (in sports, public speaking, or test taking) you’ll develop your skills and can be better prepared than your competition.

Here’s the bottom line:

You don’t have to be born the best at something… you can practice and become great enough to compete with natural skill holders.

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.

~Dennis P. Kimbro (Best-Selling Author)

Think about this:

Your success is based on who you are as a person (which is decided by how you react to things).

For example:

Will you be a person who reacts badly to misfortune, blames others and falls into despair?

Or will you be a person who reacts positively to misfortune, learns from your mistakes and is grateful for the blessings you do have?

Your positive reaction to negative circumstances will make you a strong, positive man… and will make the 90% of your life that you can control truly happy.

If the wind will not serve, take to the oars.

~Latin Proverb

Listen to this:

You can’t wait for luck or random opportunities to carry you to your dreams.

Why?

Sometimes your good luck will fail. Maybe funding for your project or department gets cut, or you lose your job altogether, or a potential relationship is falling apart.

Now:

In that moment of loss, you have to make it happen yourself.

Look… which seems better… to wait around for luck to take up the sails again, or to make progress (even slowly) and row the boat yourself?

Do it yourself, of course!

If you can manage to carry yourself through hard times, you’ll be stronger, better skilled, and better able to succeed because of your accomplishment!

Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.

~Michael Jordan (6-time NBA champion)

Michael Jordan makes a clear distinction between three groups of people, and how they react to their dreams:

Those who want it haven’t taken any necessary action to get what they want. They might be too afraid, or feel they are unable to get it.

Those who wish it have taken some action, but they might lack the knowledge or the ambition, and don’t have enough desire to pursue their dreams through struggles.

Then there’s the people who actually make things happen. And they make it happen not because they’re any more special than the other two groups… they make it happen because:

1. They’ve adapted and acquired the information they need.
2. They’re willing to put in the extra hours, and work while others sleep.
3. Their focus is on simply acting instead of standing still, and moving forward is better than not moving at all.

You can be a man who makes things happen… don’t listen to any thoughts telling you s can’t do it… know that you can and will make great things happen.

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

~Winston Churchill (United Kingdom Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55)

There are two very different ways you can live your life:

1. You can focus on the hard part
2. You can focus on the possibility

Now:

As an optimist, when you fail, your focus on the opportunity will allow you to remain happy in the face of defeat.

Follow the advice of Churchill’s inspirational saying:

Focus on the opportunities you have during tough situations, instead of the difficulties. During your struggle, you won’t feel like giving up.

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

~Rumi (Persian Poet and Scholar)

It might seem like one person is too insignificant to change the world, and it’s impossible to find somewhere to begin… so how do you change the world?

You change your own attitude first.

Look:

You can’t affect the world in a positive way if you’re full of anger, resentment or bitterness.

Ask yourself:

Are your thoughts always negative toward yourself and others? Are you pessimistic about the future? Do you avoid taking risks because you’re afraid to fail?

An attitude that answers “yes” to any of these questions is not one that will allow you to change the world for the better. Concentrate on being a positive influence, and the world will change around you.

You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.

~Michael Jordan (Former Professional Basketball Player)

If you don’t expect great things of yourself, what do you expect?

Average things? Or maybe nothing at all?

Look:

By expecting to produce mediocre results, you unconsciously plan to get them.

You don’t strive for great results… you don’t push yourself… you’re simply satisfied because you met your easy expectations.

In other words, if you only expect mediocrity of yourself, you’ll only ever be mediocre.

If you want to be like Mike… if you want to be a man of greatness… start by expecting great things of yourself.

You can’t lose the hunger to be the best. You got to know that there’s always someone really good coming up behind you.

~T.J. Dillashaw (UFC Bantamweight Champion)

Hungry is such a powerful word to describe your ambition. When you’re hungry what do you do?

That’s right…

…you eat!

But… how does physical hunger relate to inspiration?

Here’s how:

If you start your ‘hunt’ for opportunities now, you can find the success to provide for yourself and others.

Never lose your hunger for that success…

… if you don’t hunt every day for your best opportunities, they will go to someone who will.

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

~Marcus Aurelius (Former Roman Emperor)

Here’s the thing:

Dying is not a choice… we’re all going to reach the end of our lives at some point.

However, the impression you leave behind when you die is your choice.

Are you on a path to be remembered as someone who took initiative, provided for others, and achieved goals you set for yourself?

If not, change your path now. You can still make a difference in the world, for others and yourself…

…it’s not too late to begin to truly live.

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.

~Dale Carnegie (American Writer/Lecturer)

It’s easy to be a victim to doubt and fear… even the strongest men have to deal with them from time to time.

But:

If you act instead of sitting still, you don’t have the time to think about ‘what-if’ scenarios that allow doubt to creep in.

Follow the advice of Carnegie’s inspirational words:

Set goals and move forward, so you don’t have time to worry about your fears… only time to achieve great things.

Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.

~Robin Sharma (Author/Speaker)

There’s a huge difference between just existing and truly living.

As an obvious example, plants exist… they don’t truly live. They don’t aspire to be better than they are, or try to make the world better.

Now:

We all know the type of man that just exists like that:

They go to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed, and then they wake up the next morning… to do the exact same thing… day after day after day.

So… how do you truly live?

Well, there’s not one right answer…

…but one of the easiest ways to start truly living is to break your monotonous daily routines:

1. Find a new passion/hobby
2. Set a new goal (reach a fitness goal, earn a bonus, save X amount of money)
3. Change the pace of your day (get up earlier, go to lunch somewhere new, go out at night with a different group than your usual).
4. Have the goal to always try new things

Don’t be a man that just exists… be one of the men that truly lives.

Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.

~Thomas Edison (American Inventor and Businessman)

Listen to this:

Genius isn’t a gift given to some and not others… it’s mostly just putting blood, sweat and tears into whatever you’re trying to accomplish.

We are all capable of being a ‘genius’ in our own regard…

…it just takes a little bit of inspiration, and a lot of hard work.

Edison didn’t set out to be an inventive genius… he just used his inspiration as fuel for long hours and dedication behind his workbench.

If you’re willing to put that kind of perspiration into it, imagine what genius work you could do!

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.

~Jim Rohn (Entrepreneur/Author/Motivational Speaker)

Look:

Taking risks feels intimidating (most people avoid them, and prefer to stay where they feel safe)…

…but risks force you to develop areas where you have weaknesses.

Think about it like this:

Imagine you took no risks for the rest of your life and never attempted to do anything that really challenged you.

It might seem like your life would be easy… but without those risks, you’ll never grow as a man, or learn anything new, or turn your weaknesses into strengths.

Don’t settle for an ordinary life where you don’t grow. Choose instead to use risks and mistakes to develop yourself into a better man.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

~Aristotle (Greek Philosopher/Scientist

Did you know that it takes a minimum of 21 days to form a new habit?

If you commit to anything for just 3 weeks, you are well on your way to making it part of your daily life.

If you want to be physically stronger, get over a past love, earn a bigger income, (etc.)…

…make excellence a habit and get up early, don’t procrastinate, and have a positive attitude.

It is your decisions, not your conditions, that truly shape the quality of your life.

~Anthony Robbins (Motivational Speaker/Self-help author)

Today, Anthony Robbins’ name is identified with inspiration…

…but it wasn’t always that way.

In 1977, Robbins was 40 pounds overweight, broke, and working as a janitor. His conditions were bleak… but here’s the thing:

Robbins made a clear decision to work tirelessly to create a better future for himself, and today, he’s one of the world’s most respected life coaches.

So, what’s the bottom line?

While you can’t always control your current conditions, you can control your decisions. Decide to make your life be whatever you want it to be.

A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.

Bruce Lee (Martial Arts Master/Actor)

Whether or not you reach a goal, it still serves as a target.

Now:

Let’s say you don’t reach your goal… maybe don’t even get close.

When that happens, don’t focus on what you haven’t reached… focus on how far you’ve come, and on what you’ve accomplished that seemed crazy to you before you started.

Setting goals shows your passion and your drive…

…and even though you don’t always reach them, if you continue to chase them, you’ll inevitably become successful.

Either you run the day, or the day runs you.

~Jim Rohn (Author/Motivational Speaker)

Here’s something you need to realize:

You’re in almost complete control of your day and your life… all you have to do is decide that you want to take that control.

Let me ask you a question:

Are you the type of person who makes decisions that control your life? Or are you the type who lets outside circumstances run you over?

Of course you’re going to take charge! Decide to be successful and positive, and you’ll run both the day and your life.

Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.

~John D. Rockefeller (Famous Business Leader)

Here’s the thing:

You deserve the best, not just an ‘ok’ career, relationship, or bank account.

Now… we all know:

It’s scary to leave your comfort zone.

But… if you a have deep passion for something better, a desire for progress, and a solid plan of action to achieve these things… then go for what is great.

When you achieve what you want (a new level of income, a deeper, more positive relationship, or a goal you set for yourself), it will always be worth the risk you took.

Just keep moving forward and don’t give a shit about what anybody thinks. Do what you have to do, for you.

~Johnny Depp (Actor)

It doesn’t matter what most people think about your dream, or the way you achieve it.

Think about it…

…if everyone who ever achieved great things had listened to all their doubters and quit, nothing great would ever have happened.

Remember this:

If someone’s thoughts don’t move you closer to a better future, just ignore them and focus on moving forward.

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.

~Will Rogers (American Cowboy/Humorist/Columnist)

Listen to this:

Even when life is going well for you… you have a good job, or you found your soul mate… you can’t just sit there and assume you’re going to be successful and happy forever.

Think about it:

If your job is on the right track, you have to continue to show your bosses that you’re valuable… or risk being replaced by someone who tries harder.

If you found your soul mate, you must continue to show that person they’re special… or risk them leaving because you no longer try to surprise and delight them.

Here’s the takeaway from Roger’s inspirational saying:

Don’t let your success stop you from continuing to do better. Your effort will be appreciated, and you’ll achieve even more in the future!

And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle

~Steve Jobs (Apple Cofounder)

We’ve all heard it before:

If you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.

Now:

If your career makes you feel like you’re not even working, then you’ve found your passion.

If it doesn’t, Jobs encourages you to find one that does, instead of lowering your own expectations… and settling for an only semi-happy work life.

Job’s inspiring quote is a wake-up call:

If you haven’t found your passion, keep searching for it… and, more importantly, never settle!

PS: Check out the video of this quote’s full speech, given at Stanford’s graduation here:

It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.

~Abraham Lincoln (16^th U.S. President)

Think about this:

If you live for a full 100 years, but never build anything great, improve the world, inspire anyone, or achieve happiness for yourself… did you really live at all?

No… you just existed.

For a man to be “alive”, he must take action.

Even if you live just 30 short years while you create memories and spread happiness, it’s better than existing 100 years without happiness or inspiration.

Create something (a home for yourself and your family, a career or business that you love, a lifetime of happy memories), and you can call your time on Earth a life worth remembering.

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.

~Henry Ford (American Entrepreneur)

What you believe about yourself is powerful.

Here’s why:

If you really think you can do something… you’ll constantly look for opportunities to succeed, and surround yourself with others who will encourage you.

If you really think you can’t do it… you’ll constantly look for potential downfalls and believe people that tell you can’t.

Stay positive and believe in yourself, and reap the rewards of positivity (more opportunities and more encouragement).

Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life-think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.

Swami Vivekananda (19th Century Hindu Monk)

What’s your great idea or passion?

Do you want to make a lot of money, find the perfect partner, or create inspiring works of art?

It doesn’t matter what the answer is… once you’ve found the passion that makes you happiest, focus only on achieving it.

Don’t hold on to negative thoughts that drag you away from your dream, and don’t waste time with people or hobbies that weigh you down.

Here’s the bottom line:

You have to hold onto your passion, and forget all your doubts. The way to success is through focus on your goals, so don’t break that focus.

As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big.

~Donald Trump (American Entrepreneur)

Why should you set big goals instead of small ones?

You might get tempted to quit trying if you reach a small goal, while dedication to a big goal will motivate you to succeed for a long time.

Think about it like this:

You’re going to put in the effort anyway, so put in the most effort you can…

…and keep doing that until you reach your biggest goal.

Here’s the takeaway from Trump’s inspirational words:

Dedicate all your effort to achieving big goals… don’t get lazy on the path to success by setting goals that are too easy.

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

~Robert Collier (American Self-Help Author)

Success rarely happens in one great burst… it often takes years of small attempts.

For example:

Countless scientists have worked on the mystery of atoms for over 2400 years, and their many small experiments and contributions have shown us what we know about atoms today.

Even though it’s taken a long time, humanity is closer to their goal because of many small efforts.

Here’s the takeaway:

Don’t get discouraged if you can only make small steps toward your goals. Those small steps will all add up, and with persistence, you’ll achieve everything you want.

Failure defeats losers, failure inspires winners.

~Robert T. Kiyosaki (American Businessman/Investor)

Check this out:

‘Loser’ and ‘winner’ are titles that apply to your character, not your results.

What does that mean?

A loser at heart will always give up after a defeat, while a winner at heart will always fight the next round, and learn from his last mistake.

What’s the bottom line?

You can’t win if you stop after one loss… learn what went wrong and avoid it next time, keeping your chin up, and you’ll be a winner.

People ask, ‘What’s the best role you’ve ever played?’ The next one.

~Kevin Kline (American Actor)

Whatever your next attempt is (at the gym, in business, in relationships), it should be your most successful one.

Here’s why:

You learned from your last attempt. You learned when to ask for help, or what negative thoughts to brush off, or what actions to avoid to help you become successful.

Remember this:

Look at your next role or attempt with confidence, and be proud of the progress you’ve made…

…and each thing you attempt will be more successful than the last one!

The consequences of today are determined by the actions of the past. To change your future, alter your decisions today.

~Unknown

What you do today defines what things will be like for you tomorrow.

For example:

Save money today, and in the future, you’ll have capital to start a new business, or a nice nest egg in case of an emergency.

Invest time in your relationships today, and in the future, you’ll have a support group for when times are hard.

Study something new today, and in the future, you’ll be more valuable to people who can benefit from what you know.

Remember:

A happy future is built on a solid past… so make your future solid now by making good decisions that secure it.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

~Steve Jobs (Apple Cofounder)

“Listen to your heart” sounds cheesy, but there’s an important message there:

Only you know what you want to achieve and only you have the passion and desire to go after it.

Why would anyone other than you affect your plans? Don’t listen to the dreams, opinions, and negativity of others. Only listen to what you want, and then find the way to do it.

Don’t put off living to next week, next month, next year or next decade. The only time you’re ever living is in this moment.

~Celestine Chua (Life Coach/Founder of Personal Excellence)

Here’s something we can both agree on:

Life, work, relationships, and daily life in general can be stressful.

It’s very easy to have your attention and focus tangled up in obligations, plans and stress about the future.

But here’s the thing:

To really live, and a have a full life, you have to dedicate time to hobbies and relationships that make you happy. What’s the point of a long life if you’re unhappy and stressed the whole time?

Remember:

This exact moment will pass soon, and you can never get it back. Don’t put off enjoying your life… make time for your happiness today.

You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.

~Margaret Thatcher (former British Prime Minister)

In the past you might have overcome a hardship (a power struggle at work, hitting a wall with a fitness routine, etc.)… but now, that same problem seems to be coming back.

Even though it feels unfair (you just dealt with this… now you have to do it again?!), don’t give up if the battle resurfaces.

Here’s why:

If you won the battle last time, you already know you can win again. If you lost last time, you learned what you could have done to win.

Persevere through the struggle again, and you’ll succeed.

20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Mark Twain (American Author)

While we’re all under certain obligations, your life shouldn’t be full of only obligations.

Look:

If something in your life is keeping you from being happy, cut it out of your life. Leave your job that’s draining energy from you, and cut ties with people that bring your attitude down…

…and if achieving something new will make you happy, go for it. Set an exciting new goal, or pick up a new hobby (or career!) altogether.

In short:

Don’t waste the free time you have. Pursue activities and relationships that really make you happy, and make your life a pleasure to look back on.

Champions keep playing until they get it right.

~Billie Jean King (Former World No. 1 Professional Tennis Player)

How many champions do you know of who quit trying in the middle of the game?

That’s right, zero… they wouldn’t have made it to champion status if they had quit!

Remember this:

Champions are the ones who keep playing, even when they lose a round or feel discouraged.

Look… the message of this inspirational saying is simple:

You won’t make it to champion if you quit, so keep playing.

Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.

~Chris Grosser

You can create opportunities to succeed and be happy by working hard, and meeting new people…

…but don’t forget to take advantage of what you’ve created.

Look:

The worst thing you can do is create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and then let it pass you by.

Keep your eyes open while you work and make connections with people…

…don’t get so wrapped up in taking the next step in your career or hobby that you forget to look around for the new opportunities you’ve created, for success and for fun!

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.

~Les Brown (Motivational Speaker)

Look:

When you’re old and look back on your life, will you say things like:

“I was afraid to waste money by going college and flunking out, so I didn’t go.”

“I was afraid to get rejected, so I never asked that girl out.”

“I was afraid to volunteer for a presentation at work, so I let someone else do it and get the credit.”

See how decisions like that would cause you to have a life totally decided by fear?

Instead, make decisions defined by your motivation. Turn those thoughts around to:

“I wanted to be an engineer, so I went to college.”

“I fell in love with a girl I was friends with, so I asked her out.”

“I wanted to get noticed and promoted at work, so I volunteered for a presentation that all the bosses would see.”

Now:

It’s ok to be afraid of failure or rejection… but it’s not ok to let those things run your life. Focus on achieving your dreams, not fearing the future.

I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don’t intend to waste any of mine.

~Neil Armstrong (American Astronaut)

What are you wasting time with?

Is it something that’s failed already, or something that’s simply not making you happy?

No matter what it is, there’s good news:

You don’t have to keep wasting time. You can look for something to pour your passion into that will make you successful and happy instead.

Here’s the bottom line:

Don’t spend energy on activities or people that are wasting your time, and aren’t moving you forward. If you cut wastes like this out of your life, you’ll be free to pursue what will make you successful.

I hated every minute of training, but I said ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion!

~Muhammad Ali (Former Professional Boxer)

Every great champion (at sports or in business) has had to practice to beat others in his field.

Now… we all know:

Training hard, working late, and staying motivated can be extremely difficult…

…but dedication to these things will make you stronger and better at your task.

Look:

You can’t be great at something without practicing it. Don’t take the path of least resistance toward your goal… fight and train hard to earn it.

Low self-confidence isn’t a life sentence. Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered-just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better.

~Barrie Davenport (American Author)

You can learn to be self-confident… it’s easy to do with practice.

Here’s how:

Make a list of things you do well, and be proud of the things you’ve accomplished.

When you’re not good at something, don’t think “I’m so bad at this”… instead think “I’m going to get so much better at this over the next few months”.

Here’s the takeaway from Davenport’s motivational words:

Think of self-confidence as a learned skill instead of a gift that some have and others don’t. You can be self-confident too, if you just practice!

If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.

~Martin Luther King Jr (American Civil Rights Leader)

No matter where you are in your journey to success, there is always some kind of action you can take to move forward.

For example:

If you don’t have any money to start your business right now, you can still plan your future budget, or even design a business logo or website.

If you’re stuck in a job you don’t like, you can build up your resume, or network with professionals in your area to learn about job opportunities.

Look:

Small steps don’t feel as satisfying as big leaps, but any progress is better than no progress. Do what you can do today to get closer to your goals, whether it’s fly, run, walk, or crawl… and you will get to where you want to be.

I refuse to let adversity allow me to be average.

~Mike Tyson (Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion)

Mike Tyson came from a rough neighborhood, and by age 13 was involved gang violence and had been arrested over 30 times.

Though he had a more difficult start than most, Tyson used his amazing fighting skills to make a new life for himself.

Now… look:

Tyson could have continued to get into trouble on the streets, like any average criminal…

…but he decided to use his rough beginnings as fuel for his boxing career, and it led him to fame and greatness.

What’s the bottom line?

Any adversity in front of you (or in your past) isn’t an excuse to settle for a mediocre life. You can find the strength to rise above it, and be great.

Every moment is a fresh beginning.

~T.S. Eliot (Essayist/Poet)

Guess what:

If you’re unhappy, you don’t have to feel like you’re stuck living life the way it is.

You don’t have to wait for some huge change to come along and improve your life…

…every moment, you have a chance to change the way you think and act.

Try this:

Simply start to visualize achieving your goals, and when you’re discouraged, focus the positive things in your life.

Now… these steps are small, but each moment you can do them and feel empowered to make a difference in your own life.

Here’s the bottom line:

Small steps count in overall life improvement, and you can start right now!

If you’re going through hell keep going.

~Winston Churchill (United Kingdom Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55)

If you want to quit the fight with the obstacle you’re against right now… ask yourself:

Did I come this far to stop?

Of course not. You obviously believe that what you’re fighting for is worth something, because you began the fight in the first place.

Here’s the thing:

Your struggle may be with a physical challenge (working out), a mental challenge (a project or hurdle at work), or an emotional challenge (a problem with a girlfriend or friend)…

…but when you work through that struggle, you learn a lesson about yourself… that you’re too strong to give up.

Listen to the simple message of Churchill’s inspirational saying:

Keep going through the ‘hell’, because eventually it will end, and what you’ve accomplished will mean more, because you suffered for it.

I am gonna show you how great I am.

~Muhammad Ali (Former American Professional Boxer)

Many think that Ali is one of the best boxers to ever lace up a pair of boxing gloves.

But check this out:

Ali didn’t have incredible knockout power…

…what he had was great confidence.

Now:

When you attempt to succeed against adversity, even if you’re afraid you’re going to fail, confidently tell yourself that you’re gonna be great.

Remember great things you’ve achieved before. You can and will be great again.

Check out some of Ali’s most inspirational words about greatness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F30t-weDqko

If you can dream it, you can do it.

~Walt Disney (American Entrepreneur/Cartoonist)

In this age of innovation and technology, there are so many unique ways to reach your goals.

For example:

Have a great idea, but don’t have the funds to make it a reality? No problem, crowdfund your idea using Indiegogo, GoFundMe, or Kickstarter.

Want to start an entrepreneurship, but aren’t sure where to begin? Easy, access countless online resources like SBA.gov and SCORE.

Here’s the bottom line:

Don’t be afraid to pursue a dream that’s daunting or may even feel impossible.

Walt Disney built his dreams without the assistance of modern technology… so what’s stopping you?

Never tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.

~Unknown

The only limitations for your success are the ones that you place on yourself.

Think about it like this:

When you set limitations, you are blocking your potential for exploring the entire universe, and only focusing on the Earth’s sky.

You’d miss so much opportunity if you did that!

If others think that the sky is the limit for their success, let them.

Have the courage to look beyond the sky and into the rest of space…

…you don’t have to put any limit on your success.

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.

~Walt Disney (American Entrepreneur and Cartoonist)

A common misconception is that courageous men are fearless.

Quite the opposite is true…

Courage is the ability to acknowledge yet work past fear to accomplish a task.

Now:

Your dreams might seem so big that just the thought of pursuing them and dealing with the risks involved gives you severe anxiety…

…but have courage to simply try to pursue your dreams.

You definitely won’t reach your dreams if you never even have the courage to try!

Believe you can and you’re halfway there.

~Theodore Roosevelt (26^th U.S. President)

We all know:

Even if you truly believe you can do something, it doesn’t mean you absolutely can… you might lack the physical ability, the training, or the funding that is necessary.

But that’s not what Roosevelt inspirational quote is saying.

Believing you can do something at least removes fear from the equation.

Think about it:

If you’re not afraid to fail, you’ll chase more opportunities to better yourself… and because you’re taking more opportunities, you have a greater chance of succeeding in some of them!

Here’s the bottom line:

Choose to take fear out of the equation, and believe that you have the ability to face whatever’s in front of you.

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Poet)

Many people think ‘destiny’ is something determined for you, even before you were born.

After all, there are circumstances in your life that you can’t control (a job loss, an illness, the end of a relationship) that make your destiny seem out of your hands.

But the truth is you can decide your future right now, and make steps toward being the great man you want to be.

Look:

You decide how to react to both struggles and blessings, and your reactions are what make you who you are: strong, faithful, courageous, smart, capable, etc.

No matter what, you are still in control of your decisions, and therefore, your destiny.

Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.

~Winston Churchill (United Kingdom Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55)

Here’s something we can both agree on:

When you try your best, but end up failing, it does not feel good… but here’s the thing:

In every failure, you can look at what went wrong, so that next time, you can avoid it.

For example:

During WWI Winston Churchill was made head of the British Royal Navy…

…and despite his best effort, he led one of the worst military campaigns in history that resulted in a loss of about 500,000 lives.

But here’s the thing:

He came back as Prime Minister during WWII and redeemed his name… he skillfully led the British against the Nazis, and won.

Here’s the takeaway:

You will fail from time to time, but just because you failed once doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Don’t let mistakes steal your enthusiasm for life and for success!

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

~George Eliot a.k.a. Mary Ann Evans(Novelist)

One of the most untrue things people tell themselves is that it’s too late (to have a dream job, to get married, to start working out, etc.).

Look:

No matter what your age, and no matter what your life looks like right now, if you want to achieve something, there’s always time.

Need proof?

• Sam Walton was 44 when he opened the first true Wal-Mart
• Henry Ford was 45 when he produced the iconic Model T car
• Samuel L. Jackson was 46 when he became a star in the cult classic Pulp Fiction

‘I’m too old’ is just an excuse. If you want something, go get it… period.

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

~Chinese Proverb

There’s no time like the present. We’ve all heard the phrase before and there’s a reason why:

It’s a simple but powerful truth.

Look:

What will come from complaining that you didn’t “plant a tree”, or go to college, or start your career a long time ago?

Nothing. Make the decision to act because the sooner you act… the sooner you’ll accomplish.

You can’t change the past, but you can change your future.