Fueling Ambition: 13 Motivational Quotes that Drive Success

September 15, 2023
September 15, 2023 Terkel

Fueling Ambition: 13 Motivational Quotes that Drive Success

To uncover the power of motivational quotes in driving success, we’ve gathered twelve unique perspectives from professionals ranging from a sales and marketing specialist to a mental health counselor. Their insights, from “Taking Chances: The Shot Not Taken” to “Embrace Change: Key to Achievement,” reveal the diverse ways in which words can inspire action and keep us focused on our goals. Dive in to explore these thought-provoking reflections.

  • Taking Chances: The Shot Not Taken
  • Act Today: The Power of Now
  • Mindfulness: Thoughts Shape Destiny
  • Learning from Failures: Edison’s Perspective
  • Hard Work Triumphs: Talent vs. Effort
  • Present Shapes Future: Gandhi’s Wisdom
  • Risk and Reward: Wilde’s Experience
  • Courage to Dream: Disney’s Motivation
  • Bridging the Gap: Journey Towards Goals
  • Thriving Amidst Challenges: Stars in Darkness
  • Acceptance: It Is What It Is
  • Embrace Change: Key to Achievement

Taking Chances: The Shot Not Taken

“You miss every shot you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

This quote always gives me the motivation to take a shot, take a chance, and come out of my comfort zone. Having this quote visible every day on my wall is a constant reminder not to give up and always take a chance. You never know what is behind a closed door.

Bryan DurnanBryan Durnan
Sales and Marketing Specialist


Act Today: The Power of Now

“One day or day one, you decide.” – Paulo Coelho

The principal distinction lies between “one day,” signifying the postponement of one’s goals and aspirations, and “day one,” denoting active engagement and initiation of endeavors. The choice here is simple: either you continue postponing your dreams indefinitely, or take that critical first step today. The days will pass anyway.

With this perspective in mind, the quote encapsulates the concept of seizing control of one’s destiny and stopping procrastination. It has been a personal source of motivation, consistently reminding that time is a finite resource. The more delay, the further goals drift from reach.

Additionally, this sentence instills a proactive mindset, urging to promptly pursue aspirations, regardless of how daunting they may seem or how discouraged feel. It helped realize that every journey begins with a single step, and that step can be taken right now. If not now, then when? There is never a perfect time.

Nina PaczkaNina Paczka
Community Manager, Resume Now


Mindfulness: Thoughts Shape Destiny

“The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” –  Buddha.

As a psychology expert, I’ve personally experienced how our thoughts shape our actions and, ultimately, our destinies. This quote reminds me of the power of mindfulness and emotional intelligence in personal development.

For instance, during challenging moments in my life, I often felt overwhelmed. Instead of succumbing to negativity and self-doubt, I gathered my thoughts and focused on resilience and growth, turning these challenges into opportunities. Embracing this mindset, I developed new strategies and techniques that not only benefited me but are ones I now also share with my clients.

Bayu PrihanditoBayu Prihandito
Psychology Expert, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture


Learning from Failures: Edison’s Perspective

“I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison

This is a profound reminder that stumbling blocks are not the end; instead, they are the cues to approach the goal from a different perspective.

This message has guided me through numerous challenges. I have faced several setbacks in my writing and marketing career. However, each of these incidents has only deepened my resolve to learn, adapt, and persist. It’s not about avoiding failure, it’s about not accepting it as final, which keeps me focused on achieving my objectives.

Precious AbacanPrecious Abacan
Content Marketer, Softlist


Hard Work Triumphs: Talent vs. Effort

“Hard work beats talent.” – Anon.

This quote resonates deeply with me. It serves as a daily reminder that while innate talent is a gift, it’s the relentless effort and dedication that truly sets the achievers apart from the rest.

When I started uAcademy, I was faced with competitors who had decades of experience and resources in the online-education sector. Fast forward to today, and uAcademy stands as a testament to the power of determination. We’ve been featured on major platforms like the BBC, and our courses have been instrumental in guiding many through the labyrinthine alleys of finance and mortgages. It wasn’t my inherent talent that got us here, but the sheer will.

Jay LeeJay Lee
Director, uAcademy


Present Shapes Future: Gandhi’s Wisdom

“The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

This profound statement constantly reminds me that our present actions mold our future outcomes. Every decision, every task, no matter how minute, casts a ripple into the vast ocean of our futures.

My actions are a testament to this. I’ve observed that by aligning my daily activities with my values, I pave the way for endeavors that resonate with my aspirations. Moreover, understanding and harnessing one’s emotional quotient can be transformative. It’s akin to having a key that unlocks doors to unparalleled opportunities.

This quote and its essence have been the north star in my journey, urging me to be proactive and intentional, ensuring that my today is always in harmony with the tomorrow I envision.

Rafael Sarim ÖzdemirRafael Sarim Özdemir
Founder and CEO, Zendog Labs


Risk and Reward: Wilde’s Experience

“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.” – Oscar Wilde

This quote spurs me into action whenever I face a risky decision. Should I leave my job at Google to pursue entrepreneurship? Should I fire my highest-paying client because I no longer want to offer that service? Should I invest my time in launching a new course?

Oscar’s words are a reminder that the best-case scenario is I make the right decision, and the worst-case scenario is I gain new experience. Framed this way, nothing seems out of bounds or too risky.

Jyll Saskin GalesJyll Saskin Gales
Marketing Instructor, Jyll.ca


Courage to Dream: Disney’s Motivation

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

It’s difficult to pursue some dreams, and life isn’t easy at all. You have to be willing to take risks and have the courage to go after that opportunity you thought you could never get. Living by this has helped push to take on that promotion or try something new in a job that isn’t comfortable. Having a dream of what life could be helps push forward to achieve it.

Steven WrightSteven Wright
Co-Founder and Chief Editor, Lifestyle to the MAX


Bridging the Gap: Journey Towards Goals

“The distance between where you are and where you want to be is the distance between what you’re doing and what you could be doing.” – Anon.

This quote comes to mind when feeling discouraged about the progress being made toward goals. It serves as a reminder that it’s not about how far one has come, but how much further there is to go.

Arvin KhamsehArvin Khamseh
CEO, Sold Out NFTs


Thriving Amidst Challenges: Stars in Darkness

“Remember, the stars you admire also thrived amidst the darkness.” – Anon.

This is one of the best motivational quotes that helps me get motivated whenever I feel low or disheartened. According to this, successful people face challenges too, but they tackle their problems and never get disheartened. Just like stars shine brightly against the backdrop of a dark sky, our achievements can stand out against tough times.

David BuiDavid Bui
Director and Business Specialist, Schmicko


Acceptance: It Is What It Is

“It is what it is.” – Anon.

 It’s my life mantra. It means, “Don’t sweat what you can’t control.” If I don’t spend time wasting away worrying about things I can’t change, that leaves me more time and energy to focus on accomplishing my goals. And that’s the point, right? Let it all roll off and keep your eye on the ball: it is what it is.

Christopher OlsonChristopher Olson
CFO, Surfside Services


Embrace Change: Key to Achievement

“Nothing changes if nothing changes.” – Courtney C. Stevens

As a mental health therapist, this quote is often used in sessions to instill intrinsic motivation in clients. Despite how difficult and daunting it can be to take those first steps toward our goals, the only way to see tangible results is if we make some type of change (even if these are small changes!). Once we can shift into this mindset, we will have an increased sense of empowerment and agency in our ability to achieve what we want in our lives.

Taylor ChodashTaylor Chodash
Mental Health Counselor, LP


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