As we stretch into the final months of winter, it can be one of the most difficult times of year to keep up your motivation and willpower. The weather is still cold, winter treats still abound, and your New Year’s resolutions are starting to look hazy. It can be easier to lost sight of whatever goals you set for the year than to lock in and stay on track. Still, there is no more important time to make sure you keep your eyes on the prize and make sure you don’t falter in whatever good habits you’ve been trying to build for yourself.
Whether you’re trying to land a new trick, get back in shape, or tidy up your finances this year – a little extra external motivation never hurts. That’s what these motivational quotes are perfect for. While we all wish we could be completely intrinsically motivated ourselves, lets be honest, most of us could use a little inspiration (at the very least!). There are quotes from athletes, business moguls, and world leaders so you’re sure to find something applicable to your situation. Sometimes the right quote can set you on the right path.
Here are 21 of the best motivational quotes to help you keep you eyes on the prize this year:
1) “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan
2) “I train like I’ve never won and compete like I’ve never lost.” – Eileen Gu
3) “The number one reason people fail in life is because they listen to their friends, family, and neighbors.” – Napoleon Hill
4) “Keep your fears to yourself, but shar your courage with others.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
5) “Recognize where your talent lies, work hard on it and, when you reach the top of your profession, don’t forget your roots.” – Tony Hawk
6) “In a moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing to do, the next best thing is
the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Often indecision paralyzes us and can be an even bigger obstacle to success than our mistakes. Don’t let fear or uncertainty stop you from chasing what you want in life. Nothing will be handed to you, you have to pursue it. As President Roosevelt says, the worst thing you can do is nothing, so go out there and get something done for yourself!
7) “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
8) “The mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital ones.” – Brandon Sanderson
9) “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be.” – Rosalynn Carter
10) “Success is won by those who believe in winning and then prepare for that moment. Many want to win, but how many prepare?” – Herb Brooks
11) “Dream big and keep your dreams to yourself. Because the dreams that you have are those things that separate you from others. If you give up your dream, you give up hope; and without hope, you are nothing.” – Tiger Woods
12) “You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.” – Lionel Messi
13) “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill
14) “The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” – Bruce Lee
15) “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
16) “Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.” – Abraham Lincoln
One of the most difficult things for just about anyone to learn is discipline and restraint. Even more so in this modern world of instant gratification constantly at our fingertips. Food delivered to your door from an app, 2-day delivery for online shopping, and endless entertainment through streaming has made it the norm to satisfy at desire at a whim in a jiffy. But, Rome wasn’t built in a day; and the best things in life take time to build. Whether you’re looking for your dream body, financial security, or just working towards being a better person, hopefully some of these motivational quotes will help you get there.
17) “If you don’t believe you are the best, then you will never achieve all that you are capable of.” – Cristiano Ronaldo
18) “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” – Michael Jordan
19) “If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” – Bruce Lee
20) “Be the best of whatever you are.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
21) “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
As a wise man (and former Disney actor himself) once said, don’t let your dreams be dreams. We all hit a slump sometimes and it’s especially easy a month or two into a new year when new habits and routines start to get tiring but aren’t yet set in stone. Hopefully some of these quotes will help inspire you to achieve whatever it is you are looking to this year. We all have times of difficulties, those who succeed are those who push through.
If you’re looking for more motivational quotes like these to help kick you into gear, check out some of these Quotes from Winter Olympians or Legendary Quotes From the Iconic Coach K!
Stop and read some of these other incredible articles below here on Wild Child Sports:
- Which US Presidents Were the Most Athletic?
- Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards: The Most Unlikely Winter Olympic Athlete
- The 7 Winter Sports Movies You Need to Watch
- Some of Eileen Gu’s Most Inspiring Quotes
