117 Motivational Quotes + 10 Tips for more Motivation

Anna Köhler (Senior Editor)

These motivational quotes will help you defeat your listlessness and increase your self-esteem. The first step to success starts in your head – that’s why we’ve put together a great selection of motivational quotes and tips for you.

You can not only use motivational quotes for yourself – but you can also motivate your family, friends and acquaintances with some of these quotes and short sayings.

The Best Motivational Quotes for any Occasion

We collected the best motivational quotes for you because overcoming laziness starts with your attitude.

There is bound to be a quote that really speaks to you and that you can keep in mind whenever you need some extra motivation. We’ve categorized the sayings by their themes so you can find what you’re looking for faster.

Motivational Quotes for Work

Motivational Quotes for Work

You might know the feeling when your alarm clock rings in the morning and it’s time to go to work. Your motivation is at zero and your mood is sour.

With the following quotes, you can motivate yourself for the work day and see the meaning in the profession with which you make your living. Share these quotes with your colleagues and look forward to beginning a new week together.

1. "Do your work with your whole heart, and you will succeed – there’s so little competition."
   (Elbert Hubbard, American writer, 1856-1915)
2. "Your profession is not what brings home your weekly paycheck, your profession is what you’re put here on earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling."
   (Vincent van Gogh, Dutch painter and graphic artist, 1853-1890)
3. "Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking."
   (William Butler Yeats, Irish poet, 1865-1939)
4. "Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you."
   (Thomas Jefferson, Founding Father of the United States, 1743-1826)
5. "From my tribe I take nothing, I am the maker of my own fortune."
   (Tecumseh, Native American/Shawnee chief and warrior, 1768-1813)
6. "To be wholly devoted to some intellectual exercise is to have succeeded in life."
   (Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish writer, 1850-1894)
7. "Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing."
   (Thomas Jefferson, Founding Father of the United States, 1743-1826)
8. "Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction."
   (Anne Frank, German-jewish writer, 1929-1945)
9. "There is no substitute for hard work."
   (Thomas Alva Edison, US inventor, 1847-1931)
10. "It is the working man who is the happy man. It is the idle man who is the miserable man."
    (Benjamin Franklin, American politician, 1706-1790)

That wasn’t enough to get you motivated? Try our Monday motivation quotes.

Positive Motivational Quotes

Positive Motivational Quotes

The following quotes are great for developing a positive outlook. They are optimistic and focus on having a positive attitude. Use them to motivate yourself, send them to your friends on or write them in greeting cards.

Positive quotes are suitable for a variety of occasions to put a smile one someone’s face. Send them for a birthday or make one of them your new life motto.

1. "Serenity can be learned. All it takes is openness, motivation, a bit of perseverance, and, above all, a willingness to break away from the old, well-worn paths in which our thoughts and actions often move."
   (Ludwig Bechstein, German archivist and storyteller, 1801-1860)
2. "It has to be a state of the heart: being all positive and gentle at the same time – sunny and determined. Never doubtful, tense, impatient, or yearning."
   (Prentice Mulford, U.S. journalist, 1836-1891)
3. "Let’s try once to place ourselves decidedly on the side of the positive, in every matter."(Christian Morgenstern, German poet, 1871-1914)
4. "The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings."
   (Sir James Matthew Barrie, Scottish-British storyteller, 1860-1937)
5. "Live, laugh well!
   Do your thing well!"
   (Joachim Ringelnatz, German poet and painter, 1883-1934)
6. "Whoever wants to be a child of the living should live only in the positive, like the ancient mystics and the true pietists."
   (Hermann Oeser, German educator, 1849-1912)
7. "Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith."
   (Henry Ward Beecher, US clergyman, 1813-1887)
8. "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
   (New Testament, Heb. 11:1)
9. "See the negative, but put the positive next to it!"
   (Heinrich Johann Wilhelm Bentinck, British General, 1796-1878)
10. "To be good is to be happy."
    (Peter Rosegger, Austrian writer, 1843-1918) [ Pseudonym P. K., Petri Kettenfeier].

Quotes to Inspire

Motivational and Inspirational Quotes

These quotes are not only here to motivate, but also to inspire. Find new perspectives and keep exploring new paths so you never go through life with a dull moment.

These quotes will help you do just that. Internalize their meaning, share them on social media or pick out a quote you particularly identify with and get it tattooed.

1. "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
   (Thomas Alva Edison, US inventor, 1847-1931)
2. "A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing."
   (George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright, 1856-1950)
3. “When someone says to you, "You can’t do that," remember, it’s their limits, not yours.”
   (Unknown)
4. "A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark."
   (Dante Alighieri, Italian poet and philosopher, 1265-1321)
5. "Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."
   (William Jennings Bryan, American lawyer, 1860-1925)
6. "Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right.' Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."
   (George Herbert, British poet, 1593-1633)
7. "March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path."
   (Khalil Gibran, Lebanese-American poet, philosopher and painter, 1883-1931)
8. "If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success."
   (John D. Rockefeller, U.S. banker and entrepreneur, 1839-1937)
9. "Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination."
   (Carl von Clausewitz, Prussian Major General, 1780-1831)

Motivational Quotes for Success

Motivational Quotes for Success

Whether in everyday life or on the job – many daily tasks offer little variety. This makes it even more difficult to stay motivated when it comes to routine work – especially if you’ve been with the same company for years and already know every task inside and out.

Striving to improve even after a long time is not only the key to being motivated in everyday life but also to professional success. Among our quotes, we have selected many from successful people, which prove to you that it is always a long and arduous road to success.

These life lessons have not been passed on without reason. They contain a lot of truth that can help you too.

1. "Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail to succeed."
   (François de La Rochefoucauld, French author, 1613-1680)
2. "Don’t wait for someone to motivate you, motivate others with your successes."
   (Unknown)
3. "It doesn’t matter at all how slowly you’re going. You’ll still overtake anyone who does nothing. "
   (Unknown)
4. “Self-trust is the first secret of success.”
   (Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher, 1803-1882)
5. "Failure is not the opposite of success. It is a part of it."
   (Unknown)
6. "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other."
   (Abraham Lincoln, American president, 1809-1865)
7. "No one who has given his best has regretted it later."
   (Unknown)
8. "A profession is the backbone of life".
   (Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher, 1844-1900)
9. "Forget about all the reasons why you might fail and focus on the reason why you can succeed."
   (Unknown)
10. "Success is dependent on effort."
    (Sophocles, Greek poet, 496-406 B.C.)
11. "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself."
    (Henry Ford, American businessman, 1863-1947)

Here you will find more wise quotes – and quotes about life and its many facets.

Motivational Quotes for Women

Motivational Quotes for Women

Women, especially have to prove themselves more often and more intensively in their lives than men, so a little extra motivation here and there to keep going could help.

If you are a strong woman with a fighting spirit, here you will find the right quotes to keep you on track. Remember your strengths and get motivated so you can get back out there tomorrow and keep going.

1. "It is never too late to be what you might have been."
   (George Eliot, English writer, 1819-1880) [actually named Mary Anne Evans]
2. "Before Alice went to Wonderland, she had to fall."
   (Unknown)
3. "You will never win if you never begin."
   (Helen Rowland, US journalist, 1875-1950)
4. "You can tell the strength of a nation by the women behind its men."
   (Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman, 1804-1881)
5. "I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves."
   (Mary Shelley, English author, 1797-1851)
6. "You didn’t get this far just to get this far."
   (Unknown)
7. "Stronger than a woman is only he who is more woman than she is."
   (Paul Bourget, French writer, 1852-1935)

Motivational Life Quotes

Motivational Life Quotes

As you know, life has its ups and downs. Below you will find motivational quotes for life. You can use them in any situation. Get motivated or send one of these quotes to your friends or family.

1. “I’m not there yet, but I’m definitely closer than I was yesterday.”
   (Unknown)
2. "Life is a journey, not a destination."
   (Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher, 1803-1882)
3. “Turn your 'can’t' into 'can' and your dreams into plans.”
   (Unknown)
4. "One may miss the mark by aiming too high as too low."
   (Thomas Fuller, English historian, 1608-1661)
5. "A smart woman knows there are no limits to her!"
   (Unknown)
6. "That’s life and that’s how you have to take it, bravely, undaunted and smiling – despite everything."
   (Rosa Luxemburg, representative of the workers' movement, 1871-1919)
7. "Either we find a way or we make one."
   (Hannibal Barkas, Carthaginian strategist and army commander, c. 247 B.C.-183 B.C.)
8. "You can either experience the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The choice is yours."
   (Unknown)
9. "Paths are made by walking."
   (Franz Kafka, German-language writer, 1883-1924)

Funny Motivational Quotes

Funny Motivational Quotes

Laughter is healthy and you are more motivated when you are healthy. Laughing a little about the things that are stressing you out can help you deal with your emotions. Especially when frustration and listlessness have been building up.

These quotes are especially suitable to share with your colleagues, so you get motivated together.

1. "Work is an unnatural thing. Laziness alone is divine."
   (Anatole France, French storyteller and critic, 1844-1924)
2. "Labor for labor’s sake is against nature."
   (John Locke, English philosopher and politician, 1632-1704)
3. "When my boss looked all over for me the other day and asked where I had been, I could only reply: Good employees are just hard to find."
   (Unknown)
4. "I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work."
   (Thomas Alva Edison, US inventor, 1847-1931)
5. "It’s that moment at work when you think being alpaca herder in Peru would have been a better career choice. "
   (Unknown)
6. "The teacher who imparts knowledge only is a craftsman – the teacher who builds character is an artist."
   (Ely Samuel Parker, US American officer and engineer)[later known as Donehogawa]
7. "Our boss’s office is a real paradise. You can get kicked out every day."
   (Unknown)
8. "I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying."
   (Oscar Wilde, Irish poet, 1854-1900)
9. "The cardinal question of humanity is to work on one’s own personality."
   (Friedrich Lienhard, German writer, 1865-1929)
10. "Even a stopped clock is right twice every day. After some years, it can boast of a long series of successes."
    (Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, Moravian-Austrian writer, 1830-1916)
11. "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."
    (Franklin D. Roosevelt, American president, 1882-1945)

Send a funny motivational quote to colleagues, acquaintances or relatives. It is funniest if you belong to the same profession or have a similar environment, for example, an office, a construction site or the classroom.

Short Motivational Quotes

Short Motivational Quotes

Sometimes there’s no need for a lot of words, but for the right ones. If you need a little kick in the ass to motivate yourself, you’ll find the right quote here.

Don’t talk – act is the motto here. Let the short saying here motivate you to find new opportunities.

1. "To begin, begin."
   (William Wordsworth, English poet, 1770-1850)
2. "Possibilities and miracles mean the same thing."
   (Prentice Mulford, US journalist, 1836-1891)
3. "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."
   (Confucius, Chinese philosopher, 551 B.C.-479 B.C.)
4. "If you fell down yesterday, stand up today."
   (H. G. Wells, English writer, 1866-1946) [full name Herbert George Wells]
5. "Quality is not an act, it is a habit."
   (Aristotle, Greek philosopher, 384-322 B.C.)
6. "The secret of getting ahead is getting started."
   (Mark Twain, U.S. writer, 1835-1910)
7. "Well done is better than well said."
   (Benjamin Franklin, American politician, 1706-1790)
8. "The most effective way to do it, is to do it."
   (Amelia Earhart, American aviator, 1897-1939)
9. "Never complain and never explain."
   (Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman, 1804-1881)
10. "Don’t think, just do."
    (Horace, Roman poet, 65-8 B.C.)
11. "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
    (William James, US psychologist, 1842-1910)
12. “A year from now, you’ll wish you’d started today.”
    (Unknown)

Daily Motivational Quotes

Daily Motivational Quotes

You can use these motivational quotes over and over again in everyday life. We all have bad days in which we are plagued by laziness or are in a bad mood. The quotes we’ve selected will help you get back into the swing of things in your everyday life.

1. "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
   (Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher, 1803-1882)
2. "Grandma says: You’re allowed to cry, you’re allowed to scream, you’re allowed to doubt for a moment. But then you go out and fight and get what you want!"
   (Unknown)
3. "He who masters the grey everyday is a hero."
   (Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Russian novelist, 1821-1881)
4. "A problem well-defined is a problem half solved."
   (John Dewey, American philosopher and educator, 1859-1952)
5. "When there is a belief that can move mountains, it is the belief in one’s own strength."
   (Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, Moravian-Austrian writer, 1830-1916)
6. "Everyday life is elementary existence."
   (Karl Immermann, German writer and lyricist, 1796-1840)
7. "The capacity to produce the motives of the will itself is par excellence with freedom."
   (Immanuel Kant, German philosopher, 1724-1804)
8. "If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change."
   (Mahatma Gandhi, Indian revolutionary, 1869-1948)
9. "Those who stand their ground in everyday life, the conscientious and faithful, these are the heroes our times need."
   (Emil Ertl, Austrian poet and writer, 1860-1935)
10. "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."
    (Henry Ford, American businessman, 1863-1947)

If you feel one of these sayings applies to your life especially, hang it in your home or office where you can easily see it. Whenever your motivation wanes or you get doubts about whether you can accomplish something, read it again.

Here you can find quotes about happiness and being happy.

Morning Motivational Quotes

Morning Motivational Quotes

It’s been known to happen. The bed is cozy and warm and outside all your postponed responsibilities are waiting. The laundry still needs to be done and you have absolutely no desire to get up. So, getting out of bed in the morning is sometimes a real feat of strength.

Let these motivational quotes convince you to get up and take advantage of the day in all its beauty. And don’t forget: The earlier the morning, the more time you’ll have the rest of the day.

1. "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."
   (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German poet, 1749-1832)
2. "You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do."
   (Henry Ford, American businessman, 1863-1947)
3. “Do something today that you can be proud of tomorrow.”
   (Unknown)
4. "No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings."
   (William Blake, English poet, 1757-1827)
5. "Be gentle to all and stern with yourself."
   (Teresa of Avila, Spanish mystic, 1515-1582)
6. "The wise does at once what the fool does at last."
   (Baltasar Gracián y Morales, Spanish Jesuit, moral philosopher and writer, 1601-1658)
7. "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
   (Benjamin Franklin, American politician, 1706-1790)
8. "There’s a way to do it better – find it."
   (Thomas A. Edison, American inventor and businessman, 1847-1931)

Here you can find a selection of good morning quotes and sayings.

Motivational Quotes for the Gym

Gym Motivational Quotes

When it comes to sports and fitness, it’s like losing weight – you have to overcome yourself every day to stay on the ball without losing your motivation. Even small setbacks and moments of weakness can ultimately add up and make people throw up their hands and give up.

Our motivational quotes can help you keep your goal in mind and not to lose faith in yourself.

1. "Your body can do anything, it’s your mind that you have to convince."
   (Unknown)
2. "You can’t think negatively and expect positivity."
   (Unknown)
3. "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."
   (Unknown)
4. "Be stronger than your strongest excuse."
   (Unknown)
5. "It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than yesterday. "
   (Unknown)
6. "If you want to give up, remember why you started."
   (Unknown)
7. "My goal is to be happy – not perfect."
   (Unknown)
8. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a small step."
   (Lao-tzu, Chinese philosopher, 365 B.C.-290 B.C.) [other spellings: Laozi, Lao-Tzu]
9. "The true art: expect nothing and appreciate everything."
   (Unknown)
10. "Sport is, in a manner of speaking, a mirror of a person’s soul,
    what I am in sports, I am truly myself."
    (Unknown)

Whenever you have a moment when you feel like giving up, read the quotes out loud or repeat it to yourself until you convince yourself that it’s worth it to keep going.

Motivational Quotes for Students

Motivational Quotes for Students

Many students struggle with a lack of motivation. It doesn’t matter whether it’s always about learning at school or at work – the quotes can be applied to all learning situations.

Lack of motivation often gets in the way of learning from the very beginning. To get rid of this block, hang your favorite quote above your desk or learn it by heart.

1. "He who has been carried to the destination does not have to believe that he has reached it."
   (Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, Moravian-Austrian writer, 1830-1916)
2. "Education is an untearable possession."
   (Menander, Greek comedy poet, 342/341 B.C.-291/290 B.C.)
3. "If a man has no goal, every path is too far for him."
   (Unknown)
4. "Every achievement starts with the decision to try."
   (Unknown)
5. "Just go for it, it could be good."
   (Unknown)
6. "I don’t lose. Either I win or I learn."
   (Unknown)
7. "Obstacles and difficulties are steps on which we climb to heights."
   (Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher, 1844-1900)
8. "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty."
   (Henry Ford, American businessman, 1863-1947)
9. "Once someone has become a master in one thing, he should become a disciple in a new thing."
   (Gerhart Hauptmann, German playwright and author, 1862-1946)
10. "Learning without thinking is useless. Thinking without learning is dangerous."
    (Confucius, Chinese philosopher, 551 B.C.-479 B.C.)

Tips for More Motivation

Tips for More Motivation

The following tips address the common problem of lacking motivation in all kinds of life situations. They will help you escape this state or to help loved ones who are experiencing it.

Even if everything is going well in everyday life, you still need some extra motivation every now and then for particularly tricky tasks.

Create Motivation in Everyday Life

For difficult tasks, you need a high level of motivation. But many people struggle with the problems of everyday life. They are plagued by listlessness and don’t know how to get out of their rut.

Even a drive from outside doesn’t seem to help, if there is simply no desire. Even at work, sometimes there is no incentive to make an effort. In any case, when combating lack of motivation, the process starts in the mind.

Solving the problem requires knowing yourself relatively well and being aware that you suffer from a lack of motivation. It is important to think about your situation, compare yourself with other people and realize that the current state is not healthy.

After all, without motivation, your goals will not be achieved and you will not be successful, so you will be less happy. Nothing ventured, nothing gained… You have to dare and put yourself out there before you are rewarded. So avoid the negative feedback loop that a lack of motivation can cause.

Occasions When You Need Motivation

There are always occasions in life when you will need extra motivation. For example, many people have trouble staying truly focused. Focus affected by your amount of motivation and is particularly important for school, university, and work.

Especially something such as remote learning requires a lot of self-motivation, because nobody controls if or when you learn. After school you’ll need the motivation to go out looking for jobs and to write applications, so you should discipline yourself and develop the best habits before going out into the world.

But it often takes a lot of drive in your personal life, too. Whether it’s fighting for a relationship or losing weight, exercising more or meeting up with friends more often. It’s important to motivate yourself to do things that make you proud and happy. 

Using Motivational Quotes and Their Effect

Use Motivational Quotes and Their Effect

Motivational sayings have a positive effect, because the first step to improvement starts with your attitude.

If you read through a lot of motivational sayings on a certain topic, you will surely find one that really speaks to you.

Maybe you feel so inspired by it that you notice a direct change in your mindset. Write it down, post it on the wall, or say it over and over in your head – until it takes hold.

Our motivational sayings also make great messages. Maybe you have a friend or family member who often talks about his or her lack of motivation, whether it’s losing weight, cleaning up or doing sports.

Maybe one of your friends is having problems studying, so you’d like to help him get motivated. Another option is for you to subtly draw someone’s attention to his problem with a nice motivational quote. Athletes especially use such tricks to stay motivated while undergoing intense stress.

Care for Self-Motivation

Below we put together six steps for you to help you become more motivated. You may find exactly what you need. Try to pay special attention to how you behave in everyday life or at work and what kind of influence your environment has on you.

The most important thing is: Be honest with yourself and admit your faults. Convincing yourself that you’ll do better on the next project at work or that you’ll definitely study harder for the next exam won’t change anything if you don’t actually act upon your decision.

Eliminate Distractions

Eliminating distractions is first step on our list. Some people simply have a shorter attention span or literally look for things to distract them.

They try to avoid their tasks at all costs – they procrastinate until the last minute and don’t see the point in rushing it at the end.

So put your cell phone down, don’t surf the Internet indiscriminately, and tell those around you that you’re not available during certain periods of time and don’t want to be disturbed.

Increase your Satisfaction

Increase Satisfaction

What makes you happy and what or who should you pay less attention to? Maybe you’re not happy with your job anymore, or one person is having a particularly demotivating effect on you instead of encouraging you.

intrinsic motivation comes from within. It is one of the most effective means of motivating yourself. Figure out why the things you are aiming for are important to you and no one else. Then try to attain them.

Introduce Rewards

Rewards help you stay motivated. Set small goals that you are sure you can accomplish and reward yourself afterwards. This simple "self-conditioning" will lead to small feelings of accomplishment, so you’ll enjoy the things you do again.

This type of motivation is called extrinsic motivation because it comes from the outside. Overcoming small milestones makes the actual goal behind them not seem so unconquerable.

Keep the Final Goal in Mind

Make yourself aware of your end goal. It’s always reassuring to know that what you’re doing has a purpose. What is my purpose for going shopping? – So my kids have something to eat and I’m a good mom.

Why should I work hard at my job? – So that my efforts are recognized and I can get that next promotion. The question of "why" is existential. Lack of motivation is usually because of a feeling of meaninglessness. Remember why you do the things you do and find your purpose in life.

Set up Reminders

Set up Reminders

You can also set up reminders to help motivate yourself. If there was once a time in your life when you were more motivated about your tasks than you are today consider what it was that motivated you.

What was different then and what can you do to get back to that state? Take time to think about it and make a list. This point connects to the next one: visualization.

Visualize

Visualizing your goals is also an important step to finding motivation. Make a to-do list or try brainstorming under the guiding question: at what point in my life was I most motivated and what circumstances shaped that motivation?

If you’re sure you’ve never been truly motivated, make a list about what’s important in your life and what triggers some sort of passion in you. Try to become passionate about other situations in your life.

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