Fall is the perfect time of year to revisit our goals and motivate ourselves to finish the year strong.
As the temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to change color, something within us starts to shift, too. We begin turning inward, and feel more contemplative. We can use this reflective time as an opportunity to re-examine our goals and progress.
What are some things you’d still love to do before the end of 2019?
If you need a little nudge, we have some motivational words to help push you forward to end 2019 on a high note!
Remember: There is power in words. When there’s a message that speaks to you and your particular situation, it feels like a soothing reminder that you’re not alone and that you have what it takes to succeed. You can use your favorite motivational words as a mantra, reciting them when you need an extra boost. Or you can write these quotes on a post-it and place them around your workstation, a visual reminder to keep going.
If you need some motivational words to buoy you through the next couple months, we’ve got you covered. Grab a cup of hot apple cider and a cozy blanket, and comfort yourself with these motivational words. These quotes come from figures spanning across all fields — from athletes to CEOs to writers to artists. After reading their powerful words, you’ll start to feel like a champ yourself.
Motivational words to help you reach your dreams
If you feel like you could use a miracle, then who better to turn to than the Olympic hockey coach known for pulling off the Miracle on Ice? Herb Brooks is most famous for leading the underdog U.S. men’s hockey team to a gold medal victory in the 1980 Olympics. This astonishing victory was hailed as the “Miracle on Ice” and was later immortalized in the film Miracle with Kurt Russell. If you could use your own miracle, here are some motivational words from Herb Brooks.
“Let me start by issuing a challenge: Be better than you are. Set a goal that seems unattainable, and when you reach that goal, set another one even higher.” - Herb Brooks.
“We’re not going to be sitting around waiting for something to happen. We’re going to make things happen for ourselves.” - Herb Brooks
“Risk something or forever sit with your dreams.” - Herb Brooks
Motivational words for inner strength
If you’re looking for some magic in your life, look no further than the author who brought us the magical Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling’s own rags-to-riches story is an inspiration, going from a struggling single mom to becoming one of the most successful and beloved authors in the world.
“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: We have the power to imagine better.” - J.K. Rowling
“Why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me.” - J.K. Rowling
On facing fear
Author Cheryl Strayed faced her fears and her inner demons by doing a solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. Her powerful words can help guide you through your own journey towards self discovery.
“I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.”
― Cheryl Strayed, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
On balancing art and a day job
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay inspires audiences with her powerful films and documentaries. Her advice on pursuing your creative dreams will make you feel like your dreams will soon become reality.
"For me, it's a question of the way we pursue our creative dreams. There is something in our culture that says your dream or the thing you’re pursuing has to happen immediately and all at once, and that is destructive to the creative spirit. I just embraced the idea that this was going to be a gradual exploration of the thing I was interested in—making films—and gave myself permission to go slowly. I didn’t beat myself up for the fact that I had a day job. I considered how I could strengthen myself through my day job so that one was feeding the other." - Ava Duvernay
On perseverance
There’s a reason why some of the most inspiring quotes come from athletes. They possess physical and mental qualities that set them apart from the average person. Tennis phenom Serena Williams is the embodiment of strength and resilience, and her powerful words will motivate you to bounce back from any rejection or failure.
“With a defeat, when you lose, you get up, you make it better, you try again. That’s what I do in life, when I get down, when I get sick, I don’t want to just stop. I keep going and I try to do more. Everyone always says never give up but you really have to take that to heart and really do never definitely give up. Keep trying.” - Serena Williams
“I am lucky that whatever fear I have inside me, my desire to win is always stronger.” - Serena Williams
On preparation
A highlight from the 2016 Olympics was watching gymnast Laurie Hernandez whisper motivational words to herself right before her balance beam routine. If you ever need a confidence boost before a big job interview or presentation, just remember these three little words:
“I got this.” - Laurie Hernandez
On meeting new people
Warren Buffett probably knows a thing or two about building a good support system. If you’re feeling shy about a networking event or reaching out to someone you admire, turn to these words for motivation.
“It's better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you'll drift in that direction.” - Warren Buffett
How to incorporate motivational words into your daily life
Feeling inspired? You can write these quotes on a beautiful notepad and keep them by your side. The motivational words will lift your spirits as you work and the decorative notepad will help brighten your day.
You can also write these quotes in your Ink+Volt planner pages. If you anticipate a tough week coming up, write a motivational quote in your weekly calendar and reflect on these words before the start of the day. You can also write some motivational words in your monthly goal page, which will encourage you to crush that month’s goal.
What are some of your favorite motivational words? Share them with us on Instagram @inkandvolt!
