There’s nothing like an inspiring quote to jumpstart your goals.
New goals give you something to strive for. It’s a chance to make our dreams come true and tap into our greatest potential.
Of course, attaining your goals takes hard work and sacrifice. You’re going to confront obstacles and you’re not always going to feel motivated. But a great way to stay driven is to turn to goal quotes for inspiration.
There is power in words. And an inspirational goal quote can help reacquaint you with your goals and why you’re pursuing them. It’s like having a personal goal coach by your side encouraging you to keep at it.
How to use goal quotes in the goal-setting process
Here are some ideas on how to use goal quotes to help you achieve your goals.
- After a setback. When it comes to making progress on your goals, it often feels like you’re going two steps forward and then two steps back. Rejection and failure are part of the process, but that doesn’t make it any easier. If you’re having a hard time coping, turn to your favorite goal quotes to remind yourself that you will overcome this and that failure is not permanent.
- To get motivated. Big goals require hard work and effort, but it’s hard to sustain that motivation over the course of several weeks, months, or even years. When motivation is hard to come by, read some goal quotes to re-ignite the fire within.
- To feel confident. Your goals will require you to do big things and get out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s a big job interview or an important presentation, recite your favorite goal quotes to help you feel your best.
- On your vision board. It’s nice to have little visual reminders of your goals. When you look up from your desk and see your goal quotes on your vision board, you’ll feel reconnected with what you’re doing.
- In your planner. Write down your favorite goal quotes in your planner. Place them next to important dates or upcoming deadlines to help you cross the finish line.
- Recite goal quotes. The next time you’re feeling nervous or need a little jolt of inspiration, read your goal quotes out loud. The act of reading inspirational words will set your mind at ease and make you feel empowered.
Inspiring goal quotes
Below are some of our favorite quotes on goals. From overcoming adversity to developing grit and perseverance, you’re sure to find a quote that resonates with you and whatever stage you may be in in the goal setting process.
On the importance of writing down your goals
“Ever since I was a young boy I have made lists of goals, resolutions and things I need to get done. It’s how I make sense of the ideas in my head, the suggestions I receive, and the progress we are making. What’s more, if I didn’t write down all of my ideas and resolutions, I would probably forget them!”
On goals and perseverance
“Tough moments never last, but tough people do.”
“I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday.”
-Misty Copeland
“Grit depends on a different kind of hope. It rests on the expectation that our own efforts can improve our future. "I have a feeling tomorrow will be better" is different from "I resolve to make tomorrow better.”
On long-term goals
“Goal setting has been very essential to get me to where I am today, I set my goals years in advance, and I work towards them. I know that it’s a process to reach them, so I try to keep those goals at the forefront of my mind and not let any external expectations or other people’s goals for me, get to me. It’s my goals that matter, so just reminding myself of that each day is very important.”
On setting yourself up for success with your goals
“The harder you work, the more research you do, the more knowledge you have, the better your chances of success. Which isn’t to say some people don’t walk in totally unprepared and have great success. And why not? I have no problem with that at all. Anyway that works is fine with me. But for myself, the more prepared I am, the calmer I am, the better my brain works. Again, it’s giving myself every chance of success, instead of handicapping myself through either fear or laziness.”
On goals and procrastination
“The most pernicious aspect of procrastination is that it can become a habit. We don't just put off our lives today; we put them off till our deathbed.
Never forget: This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second we can turn the tables on Resistance.
This second, we can sit down and do our work.”
-Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle
On goals and hard work
“Although talent feels and looks predestined, in fact we have a good deal of control over what skills we develop, and we have more potential than we might ever presume to guess”
“The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.”
-Michelle Obama
On goals and adversity
“There will always be something you don’t know is around the corner lurking and waiting for you. Many times, these things aren’t joyful moments; they are often something that may be an adversity or difficult thing. If you have other parts of your life clean, clear, and organized when the unknown variable comes, you’re prepared for it.”
-Tamron Hall, interview in The Cut
“No matter how much storm there is going on around, there’s always an eye of the hurricane that has to be calm; this core that has to be always the same.”
-Daria Abramowicz, sports psychologist
Written by JiJi Lee
