It’s no secret that work can sometimes be extra difficult. Maybe you’re in a new job that’s super challenging, you feel under-appreciated or you have tasks you have to do everyday that aren’t too exciting.
Whether tasks pile up, deadlines loom on the horizon, or workloads get overwhelming, we have most likely all been there and had those days when our motivation dips and reaches the lowest low. And it’s perfectly natural to feel that way.
Day after day, soldiering through and doing our work while navigating obstacles is a commendable effort. And sometimes, a little extra motivation can go a long way in helping us push through. Here are 7 inspirational quotes for work that resonate, motivate us and can help you too, power through difficult times at work.
1. “We become what we think about most of the time, and that’s the strangest secret.” ~ Earl Nightingale
This is particularly meaningful for times when it helps to have an optimistic view in high-pressure situations. When you look at business leaders around the world, there are three key ways that positivity have helped in their career success:
Firstly, it opens doors. The best way to build trust with people is to have optimism and energy. Positivity leads to collaboration, which in turn leads to innovation.
It also improves your productivity, as well as of others around you. A positive attitude doesn’t just affect you — team members tend to pick on your vibe and this reflects on how challenges are overcome and milestones are achieved.
Finally, it boosts morale. A positive attitude can be a key factor in success at work and helps you persevere through challenging times.
2. “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” ~ Will Durant
A reminder that our habits, however small, matter. The little things we do on a daily basis add up to make us who we are — and they can also help us become the person we want to be. This can be as simple as eliminating one small habit or adding one new habit each week.
So if there’s something you want to improve about yourself or your work style, start taking small steps toward that goal every day and watch it become part of your life. When you have made these changes, you will find that these changes add up to bring a transition, and you are able to accomplish more than you ever imagined possible without feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
3. “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
You’re having a tough day. Nothing has gone right. Everyone’s out to get you. And your boss wants more done, faster and better-quality than before. What do you do?
Quit? Probably not. More likely, you’ll dust off your work boots and get back on the job. Resilience and perseverance in the face of setbacks is a great way to learn from mistakes and chart your path towards success.
And at the same time, experiencing success should never be final — be inspired by it and keep going to create newer milestones.
4. “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
If you’re looking for the perfect time and resources to start executing something, it’s probably not going to happen. You’ll not get something done if you don’t start, so take the plunge and you’ll make things happen!
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
5. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing badly.” -G.K. Chesterton
If you find yourself not making progress because you are striving for perfection, here is a simple remedy: lower your standards.
Your first attempt at doing something may not always be the best, but that shouldn’t drag you down and in the process of seeking perfection, create bottlenecks. You’ll miss out on crucial deadlines and opportunities.
6. “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” -John Wooden
The golden rule: you can work within your sphere of influence, do what you can and make tremendous progress.
If you’re struggling with some aspect of your life or work, determine what is within your sphere of influence and focus on that. There is no shortage of opportunities for people who choose to work within their sphere of influence, instead of worrying about what they cannot do.
7. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.”
To act is to overcome your obstacles. Starting somewhere is your stepping stone towards making the conditions perfect to achieve your goals.
It’s that first step towards progress, and it means doing things you don’t feel like doing now in order to accomplish what you want in the future. So take that leap of faith towards doing something, get started and you’ll notice that your challenges and fears aren’t as overwhelming as they seemed earlier.
Looking for some inspiration to make your next big career move? We are here to help!
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