Motivational Quotes When You’re Down

Having some quotes around you will inspire you, motivate you and help to raise your spirits.

When I wrote my book I knew I wanted to add quotes as often they sum up how I feel or want to feel. Here I have put a few of my favourite ones.

1: “The path to success is to take massive, determined action.”

~ Tony Robbins

You can only be successful if you make the effort to take action.

• See your vision

• Set goals- SMART or GROW (see goal setting blog for more details)

• Begin to take action

• Review goals and progress

Don't be afraid if the goals go off track, simply reassess and move forward. Some times a detour is needed.

2: "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to take the whole staircase, just the first step."

~ Dr Martin Luther King Jr

What ever your plans, you have to start from somewhere right? So just like a staircase you cant get to the top in one step... maybe two or three at a time with some giant stride and flexibility! The point being... You can see the top of the staircase and all the steps are infront of you... so simply take one at a time.

For the analogy to continue:

• If a stair is missing (barrier), take time to rebuild it (look for options)

• If the stairs seem to be taking forever, maybe change your view at the top and then head up another staircase more like a flight of stairs up a building until you get the view you desire (top floor).

• This library is a great example of life's staircase... you learn as you go! Ultimately ITS YOUR STORY!

3: “First, think. Second, dream. Third, believe. Finally, dare.”

~ Walt Disney

The story of Walt Disney is truly inspiring:

• His first cartoon business 'Laugh-O-Gram studios went bankrupt after a couple of years.

• Failed at acting

• After some success with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in California, Disney went to renegotiate his contract to be told his team were taken from his along with the legal rights to the character.

• On leaving California he actually created Mickey Mouse, but his idea was rejected 300 times!!!

• Due to personal circumstances and pressures of life Disney suffered a nervous breakdown.

• After some time recuperating he developed Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs (1937) which was a huge success.

• The World War 2 seen his animators go on strike and left Disney with debt close to $4 million dollars.- so he turned to tv.

• Disney then braved the idea of creating Disneyland for several years and falling out with his brother over the idea, before constructing the first park in July 1955 in California. All this despite the lack of financial support.

• He won the most Individual Academy Awards, 22 Oscars from 59 nominations, 2 Golden Globe Special Achievement Awards, an Emmy Award among many others.

It started with a dream (right picture is Walt's vision... a place when children and adults could have fun together and his characters could come to life.

"All our DREAMS can come true if we have the COURAGE to pursue them" ~ Walt Disney

The end tip: don't think of the how, just believe in your vision and some how with enough determination... your vision can be a reality.

4: “Learn to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want, .”

~ Jim Rohn

What makes you happy? Are you chasing things that you think will make you happy? Only to gain them and not feel how you expected?

I liken it to wanting the latest phone, you get it and then soon your wanting the next 'latest phone' forgetting all about the old one. Stop and think, why do I need a phone. Then why do I need a new one? Do I REALLY need it?

Sometimes it truly is the simple things in life that make us happy, but that we also take for granted. Gratitude is a great way to understand this. To often we feel the need to want material things to make us happy... but do they truly make us happy? Maybe for a short while, but lets think longer term.

For example:

• I am grateful I have my health when so many others are suffering.

• I am so grateful I have all my senses to be able to see my children grow, the hear the sounds of nature, to smell fresh bread, to hold my children in my arms and hug them tightly, to taste food.

• I am grateful I have people in my network who support me

Start with a grateful heart and then pursue opportunities, experiences and if need be material thinks, but receive them with thanks. Don't forget giving brings just as much happiness as receiving

4: “My toughest opponent has always been me .”

~ Muhammad Ali

There is that common phrase 'I am my own worst enemy' OR people tell us 'you are you own worst enemy'. It definitely resonates with me.

The negative voice in my head used to always win. I would take myself out of tasks, challenges and anything that I took more than 5 seconds to think about. Then I would agonise over it so much. I would take on the fears of others. I would tell myself I was not good enough. I would give in at the first sign of failure or a barrier.

Not anymore. Now :

• I listen to my heart and a little of my head too.

• I weight my options.

• I leave the views of others out of it.

• I know I am in control of my thoughts and actions and I alone.

• I take risks after considering what the worst outcome could be ( as long as its not death, I am good to go)

• I learn from my mistakes and 'failures' ( I don't like that word if I am honest) and I move on.

• I know my worth.

The only person you truly have to answer to is yourself.

(DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for your choices or actions)

5: “If positive psychology teaches us anything, it is that all of us are a mixture of strengths and weaknesses. No one has it all, and no one lacks it all.”

~ Christopher Peterson

The quote to me says it all as someone with dyslexia and a few mental health conditions. We are all individual and unique... in my opinion it would be super boring if we were all the same!!

Lets embrace who we are, be proud of our strengths and work with and not against our 'weaknesses'.

No one is perfect, unless your Mary Poppins of course who is 'practically perfect in everyway'.

I hope these help brighten your day.

Feel free to comment on your best motivational quotes!