A teen cried as she described her day to her grandmother.
“Everyone thinks I’m weird,” sobbed the teen. “Why do they keep posting labels on me that aren’t true?”
“A label is like an old hat,” laughed the elderly woman. “If you don’t like it, don’t wear it.”
The wise woman’s words brought a smile to the girl seated next to her on the bus. I smiled, too, as I listened to their conversation. So did those seated near us.
Words have power.
William Shedd, a 19th century theologian, said, “A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were built for.” His words issue an invitation to rise above the storm.
When you find your own inner voice wavering, inspirational words offer encouragement and insight. Consider these motivational quotations to stay inspired:
- Desire fuels your passion. Passion fuels your goals. Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich
, stated, “The starting point of all achievement is desire.” He insisted, “Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.” Your goals must be fueled with enthusiasm.
- Create a plan. “All things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation and a physical or second creation of all things,” added Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
, “You have to make sure the blueprint, the first creation, is really what you want, that you’ve thought everything through.” He maintained that the “blueprint” or our plan provides “the marching orders of the day” that allows us to “begin with the end in mind.”
- Write your goals. Lee Iacocca, American businessman and author of his own story, Iacocca: An Autobiography
, explained, “The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.” When you imagine and clearly articulate your goals in writing, you access the creative energy of your right brain. Imagination and creativity allow you to find solutions to problems that were not previously available to you.
- Keep track of your progress. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Use the information from tracking your progress to make necessary changes to adapt your plan and to help you move forward. Examine all of the factors that inhibit progress. Find ways to celebrate your achievements.
- Surround yourself with positive affirmations. Positive affirmations allow you to focus deliberate intention on desired outcomes. Affirmations are always stated in present tense; they are personal and specific. Constructive affirmations such as “Lucrative opportunities always come my way” and “Inspiring ideas flow to me in a river of abundance” invite creativity, new ideas, and motivation.
- Stay inspired by posting motivational quotations. Motivational quotations lift our spirits, especially when we are tired or discouraged. Post them in places where you will often see them and stay inspired throughout the day:
, stated, “The starting point of all achievement is desire.” He insisted, “Weak de
, “You have to make sure the blueprint, the first creation, is really what you want, that you’ve thought everything through.” He maintained that the “blueprint” or our plan provides “the marching orders of the day” that allows us to “begin with the end in mind.”
, explained, “The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.” When you imagine and clearly articulate your goals in writing, you access the creative energy of your right brain. Imagination and creativity allow you to find solutions to problems that were not previously available to you.“Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney
“Don’t find fault. Find the remedy.” – Henry Ford
“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” – Marianne Williamson
“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” – Stephen Covey
“In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can.” – Nikos Kaantakis
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain
“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” – Zig Ziglar
“I want to put a ding in the universe.” – Steve Jobs
“To be fully alive is to feel that everything is possible.” – Eric Hoffer
“The amount of good luck coming your way depends upon your ability to act.” – Barbara Sher
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” – Anonymous
Passion fuels dreams. Commitment fuels action. Get clear about what you want to do and why you want to do it. Allow time to regularly reevaluate and refine your goals. Make adjustments within your schedule to engage in goal-related activities. And, most importantly, commit to the work of pursuing your dream. Take action.
Your time is now!
Where do you find inspiration and motivation?
Words inspire us! Check out these uplifting quotations from Inspirational Quotes When You Need Hope.
Read Stand Tall With Confidence and try these tips when you feel like your confidence is shaken.
These suggestions from Build Your Support System will help you create a compassionate network.
Replace negative self-talk with words of encouragement. Discover how to Put the Positive in Your Affirmation.