45 Short Motivational Quotes that Inspire Action

Personal growth is something that's always been important to me, and I know how hard it can be to stay motivated and inspired when you're trying to make positive changes in your life.

That's why I've put together a list of 45 inspirational quotes that I turn to when I need a little extra push. These quotes have helped me take action, get out of my comfort zone, and pursue my goals with passion and determination.

1. "If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up." -J.M. Power

I love this quote by J.M. Power - it's a reminder that making our dreams a reality requires action and effort on our part. We can't simply wait for our dreams to come to us, we have to wake up and actively pursue them. It's a powerful message that motivates me to take charge of my life and work towards the things I truly want.

2. "Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle." -Christian D. Larson

Christian D. Larson's quote is a powerful reminder that we all have the inner strength to overcome any obstacle that comes our way. It's easy to doubt ourselves and our abilities, but by believing in ourselves and our potential, we can tap into that strength and push past any challenge. This quote inspires me to have faith in myself and my abilities, even in the face of adversity.

3. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt's quote resonates with me because it reminds me that our dreams have the power to shape our future. When we have a clear vision of what we want and believe in our ability to achieve it, we are more likely to take the steps necessary to make it a reality. This quote motivates me to never give up on my dreams and to keep pushing forward with optimism and determination.

4. "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." -Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky's quote is a powerful reminder that we have to take action in order to achieve our goals. We may fear failure or rejection, but by not taking any action, we are guaranteeing that we won't succeed. This quote inspires me to take risks and seize opportunities, even if there is a chance of failure, because inaction guarantees failure.

5. "The best way to predict the future is to create it." -Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln's quote reminds me that we have the power to shape our future through our actions and decisions. Instead of waiting for things to happen, we can take control of our lives and actively work towards creating the future we want. This quote motivates me to be proactive in my personal and professional life, and to focus on taking steps towards my goals instead of waiting for them to magically happen.

6. "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis's quote is a beautiful reminder that age should never hold us back from pursuing our passions and dreams. Life is a constant journey of growth and discovery, and we should never stop setting new goals or dreaming bigger. This quote inspires me to embrace change and to never let age be a barrier to pursuing what sets my soul on fire.

7. "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." -Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs' quote is a powerful reminder that when we are passionate about what we do, it becomes more than just a job - it becomes a fulfilling experience. When we love what we do, we are more likely to pour our hearts into our work and strive for excellence. This quote motivates me to find work that I'm truly passionate about, and to never settle for a career that doesn't bring me joy and satisfaction.

8. "Don't let yesterday take up too much of today." -Will Rogers

Will Rogers' quote is a poignant reminder that dwelling on the past can prevent us from fully living in the present. It's easy to get caught up in regrets or past mistakes, but doing so can hold us back from making progress and experiencing new opportunities. This quote inspires me to focus on the present moment and to use my past experiences as lessons to learn and grow from, instead of allowing them to consume my thoughts and energy.

9. "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." -Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt's quote is a powerful reminder that our doubts and fears can hold us back from achieving our full potential. If we let our doubts consume us, we may miss out on opportunities that could lead us to a brighter future. This quote inspires me to acknowledge and confront my doubts, and to have faith in my abilities to overcome obstacles and achieve my goals.

10. "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." -Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill's words offer a comforting reminder that both success and failure are temporary and that it is our resilience and determination to keep going that truly counts.

11. "You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." -Henry Ford

Henry Ford's quote is a straightforward and honest reminder that actions speak louder than words. It's easy to talk about what we intend to do, but without taking action, those words are meaningless. This quote inspires me to focus on taking tangible steps towards my goals and to strive to always follow through on my commitments.

12. "Believe you can and you're halfway there." -Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt's quote is a beautiful testament to the power of self-belief. When we believe in ourselves, we unlock a world of possibilities and potential. This quote inspires me to embrace a positive and optimistic mindset, even in the face of adversity, knowing that my belief in myself is a critical component of achieving my goals.

13. "Don't wait for opportunities, create them." -Unknown

This quote speaks to the importance of taking initiative and being proactive in our lives. Rather than waiting around for opportunities to come our way, we should actively seek to create them ourselves. This mindset has helped me to take ownership of my life and to pursue my passions with a sense of purpose and intentionality.

14. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela's words are a powerful reminder that failure is not the end, but rather an opportunity to learn, grow, and persevere. This quote has inspired me to view setbacks not as roadblocks, but as valuable learning experiences that ultimately lead me to greater success and resilience.

15. "Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life." -Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs' quote is a wake-up call to take control of our lives and not let others dictate our paths. It has reminded me to focus on my own passions and goals rather than trying to live up to someone else's expectations. Life is precious and short, and we should use our time to pursue what truly matters to us.

16. "If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." -Albert Einstein

This quote by Albert Einstein emphasizes the importance of setting goals in our lives. As humans, we often seek happiness from external sources, such as people or material possessions, but true happiness comes from within, from achieving our own personal goals and aspirations. By tying our happiness to a goal, we give ourselves a clear purpose and direction, which ultimately leads to a more fulfilling and happy life.

17. "I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions." -Stephen Covey

This quote is a great reminder that we have the power to shape our lives and take control of our destiny. It's not always easy, but by making conscious decisions and taking responsibility for our choices, we can overcome any obstacles and achieve our goals.

18. "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." -Albert Einstein

This quote by Albert Einstein is a great reminder that even in the toughest situations, there is always a chance for something positive to come out of it. It's all about shifting your perspective and looking for the opportunities that lie within the challenges.

19. "If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary." -Jim Rohn

This quote is a reminder that to achieve something extraordinary, we have to be willing to take risks and step out of our comfort zone. Playing it safe may lead to a comfortable and ordinary life, but taking risks and pursuing our dreams can lead to a life beyond our wildest expectations.

20. "Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." -Joshua J. Marine

I couldn't agree more with this quote. Life is full of challenges, big and small, and it's how we face and overcome them that gives our lives meaning and purpose. Without challenges, life would be stagnant and uneventful, and we wouldn't have the opportunity to learn, grow, and become better versions of ourselves.

21. "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." -Confucius

This quote reminds me that progress is not always about speed, but rather about consistency and determination. As long as we keep moving forward, no matter how slowly, we will eventually reach our goals.

22. "A goal without a plan is just a wish." -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

This quote speaks to the importance of having a clear plan to achieve our goals, rather than simply wishing for things to happen. It reminds me that setting realistic and achievable goals requires intentional planning and action.

23. "The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself." -Tony Robbins

I can definitely relate to this quote because sometimes the biggest obstacle to achieving our goals is our own self-doubt and negative self-talk. It's important to recognize and challenge these stories we tell ourselves and focus on taking action towards our goals.

24. "If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes." -Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie's quote reminds us that when we focus our thoughts, energy, and hopes on a meaningful goal, we can achieve true happiness and fulfillment. So don't be afraid to dream big and set ambitious goals - you never know what you might achieve!

25. "You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else." -Albert Einstein

This quote from Einstein reminds us that knowledge of the rules is just the beginning. To truly excel, we must go beyond the basics and strive to be the best.

26. "The harder you work for something, the greater you'll feel when you achieve it." -Unknown

This quote reminds me that the journey towards achieving a goal can be tough and challenging, but the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes with it is worth every effort. It's important to keep pushing ourselves and putting in the hard work, because the rewards at the end are truly fulfilling.

27. "Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do." -Oprah Winfrey

This quote by Oprah Winfrey is a great reminder to stay focused on our goals and to keep pushing forward, even when the path to achieving them seems difficult. It's all about taking the necessary steps to get where we want to be and not losing sight of our ultimate aspirations.

28. "It's not about perfect. It's about effort. And when you bring that effort every single day, that's where the transformation happens. That's how change occurs." -Jillian Michaels

When we consistently put in effort and strive to do better each day, we can make meaningful changes in our lives.

29. "If you want to fly, you have to give up the things that weigh you down." -Toni Morrison

We have to let go of certain things that are holding us back if we want to move forward and reach new heights. It takes courage and determination to make that decision, but it's worth it when we finally feel free to soar.

30. "The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." -Confucius

This quote reminds us that even the most daunting task can be achieved by taking small, consistent steps. It's a great reminder to focus on the process, rather than the end result, and to keep moving forward one step at a time.

31. "Your life only gets better when you do work on yourself and the rest will follow." -Unknown

This quote speaks to the importance of self-improvement and personal growth. When we focus on becoming the best version of ourselves, we open the door to a better life and attract positive changes and opportunities. So let's prioritize working on ourselves and watch our lives transform for the better.

32. "The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do." -Unknown

This quote hits home with me because it reminds me that we have the power to shape our own lives. It's not enough to just dream about who we want to be; we have to take action and make it a reality.

33. "The only way to do something in life is to try." -Unknown

This quote may seem simple, but it holds a powerful truth. We often hold ourselves back from trying because of fear or doubt, but the only way to truly know if we can accomplish something is to try. Don't let the fear of failure stop you from taking action and pursuing your dreams.

34. "Believe in the person you want to become." -Unknown

The only person who can truly hold you back from achieving your dreams is yourself. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

35. "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." -Zig Ziglar

The journey towards our goals is just as important as reaching the destination. It's about the person we become, the lessons we learn, and the growth we experience along the way that truly matters.

36. "You can't change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination." -Jimmy Dean

This quote is a great reminder that we may not always be in control of the circumstances around us, but we have the power to adapt and make the best of any situation to reach our goals. It's all about having the right mindset and taking action towards our desired destination.

37. "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." -Franklin D. Roosevelt

This quote reminds us that our doubts and fears can hold us back from achieving our goals and reaching our full potential. It's important to push past those limiting beliefs and have faith in ourselves and our ability to create a better future.

38. "The best way to predict the future is to create it." -Abraham Lincoln

Don't just sit around waiting for things to happen in the future, go out there and make them happen! Take control of your life and create the future you want to see for yourself.

39. "Your life is a reflection of your thoughts. If you change your thinking, you change your life." -Unknown

When we focus on positive thoughts, we attract positive experiences and people into our lives. Our thoughts shape our reality, and by changing them, we can transform our lives in meaningful ways. So, let's choose to think happy and empowering thoughts and create a life we love.

40. "What you do today can improve all your tomorrows." -Ralph Marston

The actions you take today can shape a better tomorrow for you. So don't underestimate the power of small, positive steps towards your goals.

41. "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." -Albert Schweitzer

Success is often viewed as the ultimate goal, but this quote reminds us that happiness should come first. When you do what you love and find fulfillment in it, success will naturally follow, making for a much more fulfilling journey.

42. "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful." -Eric Thomas

When you want something as much as you want to breathe, you'll do whatever it takes to make it happen.

43. "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -C.S. Lewis

It's never too late to chase after your aspirations and dreams. C.S. Lewis reminds us that age should never be a barrier to setting new goals and pursuing new adventures.

44. "Change your thoughts and you change your world." -Norman Vincent Peale

Our thoughts have a powerful impact on our lives. By changing our thoughts, we can change our perceptions and ultimately change our world. It's a simple but important lesson to remember.

45. "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams." -Oprah Winfrey

This quote by Oprah Winfrey reminds us that the greatest adventure we can ever take is to pursue our dreams, no matter how big or small.

Final Thoughts

I truly believe that these motivational quotes have the power to ignite a spark within you, and help you take that first step towards your personal growth journey. It's okay if some of the quotes don't resonate with you at first - we all have unique journeys and experiences that shape who we are. So don't hesitate to skip over any quotes that don't feel relevant to your current situation.

But I'm confident that somewhere in this collection of quotes, you will find one that speaks to your heart and inspires you to take action.

Whether you're feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply in need of some motivation to keep pushing forward, I hope these words of wisdom help guide you towards a more fulfilling life.

If you're as passionate about contemporary and modern art as I am, then you're always looking to learn more.

That's why I invite you to check out more of my articles here for even more insights and inspiration!