Throughout my life, there have been several quotes that really stuck with me and have continued to have a lasting impact on the way I think. They shaped my mindset and ultimately helped me navigate through personal challenges and professional obstacles. Here are 10 of the best quotes I’ve ever heard and how they’ve transformed my life.
1. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill is one of the greatest orators of all time, and this is one of my favorite quotes of his. It’s a great reminder that success is never the end of the journey, and failure isn’t either. There have been times in my life when I was so afraid of failure and I didn’t know how to move forward. These words from Churchill helped me see that the will to continue moving forward makes you who you are.
2. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” — Theodore Roosevelt
In today’s day and age, it’s easy to get caught up in comparing your life to others. Oftentimes, I’ll see people with “better” things than I have and get down, but it’s really not worth it. Teddy Roosevelt said it best: Comparison is the thief of joy. You don’t need to measure up to anyone else.
3. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs
I’ve pursued a lot of passion projects in my life and Steve Jobs’ words have always stuck with me. At one point, I was stuck in the automotive industry and I was no longer passionate about working on the cars. I still love cars, but I wanted to find something else to do. I stepped outside my comfort zone and found an automotive journalism job and have excelled. Shifting my focus to something I truly love has made all the difference.
4. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky’s words have stuck with me my entire life. I can often be someone who overthinks things and I wind up talking myself out of taking risks. However, not trying is the biggest failure of all.
5. “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
The great poet Ralph Waldo Emerson has inspired many people over the years, including myself. I’ve never been someone to follow the crowd and this quote helped me stick to that. While my choices haven’t always been conventional, they’ve always aligned with my true desires and values.
6. “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein has inspired many people, but this quote has really stuck with me. It helped shift my overall perspective on adversity. Rather than seeing the challenges in my life as obstacles, I started to look at them as opportunities for growth. Whenever I face difficulties, I try to remember that there is a hidden opportunity in it.
7. “It is not the length of life, but the depth of life.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Another Emerson quote! This one made me think twice about my approach to how I live each day. It’s easy to try to fit as much as you can in each day, but this quote shifted my focus in life. Rather than trying to schedule every minute of every day, I focus on the quality of my experiences and relationships.
8. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde was a character and this quote speaks to who he was. There have been points in my life where I was struggling with accepting myself. After hearing this quote, I realized there is no point in trying to conform or fit in. You can only be yourself!
9. “The best way out is always through.” — Robert Frost
Robert Frost had a way with words and this quote is a great reminder that you can get through anything. Rather than avoiding your problems, you have to work through things and you’ll come out on the other side better for it. This has made me more resilient and solution-oriented.
10. “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is one of the most quotable individuals in the world. This quote is a great reminder that happiness isn’t something you’ll find waiting around. You have to create your own happiness through your actions and choices. Embracing this mindset has helped bring me joy.
These Quotes Left A Mark
Every single one of these 10 quotes has left a mark on my life, shaping how I navigate challenges and successes. They all offer a new perspective that has helped me grow as a person and transformed my outlook in life. What quotes have inspired you to make lasting changes?