The Power of Inspirational Quotes: 20 Gems to Change Your Life Now

Quotes have the power to motivate and inspire us to be our best selves. They have the ability to speak to us on a much deeper level than simple words ever could. Whether we seek guidance from past presidents like Abraham Lincoln, business leaders like Steve Jobs or our very own mentors and friends, we are presented with limitless wisdom from those who’ve come before us. However, some of the most profound insights can come from those who are not as famous, yet no less inspiring. So, without further ado, here are twenty inspirational quotes that can change your life if put into practice.

1. “A soul without a high aim is like a ship without a rudder.” – Eileen Caddy

As human beings, we thrive on having purpose and direction in our lives. Without a clear aim, we lack focus and motivation, and we are left floating aimlessly in a sea of uncertainty. But if we set our sights on something greater than ourselves, something that aligns with our values and passions, we can steer our ship in the right direction.

2. “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” ~ David Brinkley

Challenges and setbacks are inevitable in life, but it is how we respond to them that determines our success. With each obstacle, we have the opportunity to build a stronger foundation for ourselves, one brick at a time. By using the bricks that others might have thrown at us to our advantage, we can create something beautiful, and rise above the naysayers and doubters.

3. “Age is no guarantee of maturity.” – Lawana Blackwell

Maturity is not something that comes with age, but rather a mindset that takes a lifetime to cultivate. It is the ability to take responsibility for our actions, to put others first, and to make decisions that benefit everyone involved. We can be old and still immature, or young and wise beyond our years. It is up to us to decide how we want to live our lives.

4. “Confidence, like art, never comes from having all the answers; it comes from being open to all the questions.” ~ Anonymous

Confidence is not about having all the answers, but about having the courage to ask the right questions. It is about being vulnerable and putting ourselves out there, even if we are not sure of the outcome. By being open-minded and willing to learn, we can build our confidence and trust in ourselves.

5. “Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” ~ Anthony J. D’Angelo

Learning is an essential part of personal growth and development. It is never too late to start learning something new, whether it is a language, a skill, or a hobby. The more we learn, the more we expand our horizons and the more opportunities we have to grow and reach our full potential.

6. “Don’t count every hour in the day. Make every hour in the day count!” ~ Mark Amend

Time is our most precious resource, and we must use it wisely. Instead of counting the hours, we should focus on making every moment count. Whether we spend our time working towards our goals, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing our passions, we must stay mindful of how we spend our time.

7. “Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.” ~ Don Wilder

Excuses are the barriers that prevent us from reaching our full potential. They limit our ability to take action and achieve our goals, and they hold us back from living the life we want. By eliminating excuses from our lives, we can break down the walls that prevent us from reaching our true potential.

8. “Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. It is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead-end street”. ~ Denis Waitley

Failure is not something that we should fear, but rather embrace as a valuable learning experience. It is an opportunity to learn from our mistakes, to grow stronger, and to develop resilience. With the right mindset, failure can be a stepping stone towards success.

9. “Habit is a cable; we weave a thread of it each day, and at last, we cannot break it.”  – Horace Mann‎

Habits are the building blocks of our lives. They determine our thoughts, actions, and ultimately our destinies. By developing positive habits, we can create a better life for ourselves, one that is aligned with our values and goals.

10. “I learned that good judgment comes from experience and that experience grows out of mistakes.” – Omar Bradley

Experience is the greatest teacher of all. It teaches us valuable lessons that we could not learn from books or lectures. By making mistakes and learning from them, we gain the wisdom and insight that we need to make sound judgments and decisions.

11. “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.” ~ Alan K. Simpson

Integrity is the foundation of our character. It is what guides our actions and determines our values. Without integrity, we are lost and aimless, and nothing else we achieve in life will matter. With integrity, we can build a life that is rich in meaning and purpose.

12. “It’s not your circumstances that shape you, it’s how you react to your circumstances.” ~ Anne Ortlund

Our circumstances do not determine our fate; it is our reactions to them that do. We have the power to choose how we respond to the challenges that life throws our way, and each response will shape our destiny. By choosing to respond with grace, resilience, and positivity, we can create a life that is filled with joy and purpose.

13. “No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched.” – George Jean Nathan

Anger and frustration cloud our judgment and prevent us from making clear, rational decisions. By learning to control our emotions and keep a level head, we can think more clearly and make better choices in life.

14. “Nobody stands taller than those willing to stand corrected.” – William Safire

We all make mistakes, and we all have weaknesses. It takes courage to admit when we are wrong and to accept help from others. Those who are willing to learn from their mistakes, and to seek guidance when needed, are the ones who will ultimately succeed.

15. “Someday is not a day of the week.” ~ Denise Brennan-Nelson

Procrastination is the thief of time. We cannot wait for someday to begin pursuing our dreams and goals. We must take action today, and every day, to make progress towards our desired future.

16. “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills

Achieving our dreams and goals takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance. There are no shortcuts to success, and we must be willing to put in the work to achieve our desired outcomes.

17. “Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.” ~ Arthur Christopher Benson

Sometimes, the problems we face are not external, but internal. A change of environment or scenery will not solve the root cause of our issues. Instead, we must focus on changing ourselves, our attitudes, and our actions to create lasting change in our lives.

18. “We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.” ~ Kahlil Gibran

The thoughts and beliefs we hold about ourselves and our lives determine our emotions and experiences. By choosing to focus on the positive aspects of our lives, we can create more joy and happiness.

19. “You can’t expect people to look eye to eye with you if you are looking down on them.” – Anonymous

Respect is a two-way street. If we want others to treat us with respect, we must first treat them with respect. By looking at others as equals and showing empathy and kindness, we can build strong, lasting relationships.

20. “Our biggest competition is never the others. Instead, it is always ourselves. It doesn’t matter if we end up with first or last place. If we do our best to do better than before, then we’ve won.” ~ Clint Cora

Our greatest competition in life is not external, but internal. It is the battle we fight within ourselves to become better and to reach our full potential. By striving to be our best selves, we can achieve true success and happiness.

Conclusion

Inspirational quotes can be incredibly powerful tools to help us navigate the ups and downs of life. They can provide us with the motivation and guidance we need to live our best lives. By adopting the wisdom of those who have come before us, we can transform our lives and reach our full potential. So, let these twenty gems be an inspiration to you, and may you find the strength and courage to apply them to your life starting today.