Quotes to Get You Going - When You're Feeling Unmotivated

​There are moments in our lives that we don’t feel up and perky, times when we feel burdened by what is happening in our lives. We feel unmotivated, unsure how to move forward, our confidence goes down, or we just feel too tired.
 
The good news is that other people have walked this path and they have not just survived but they became victorious. They even left words of wisdom to inspire us.
 
Here are 10 quotes to get your motivation back. 

Quote 1: It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. 

-Lou Holtz-

Have you ever seen the safety instructions on how to properly pick up a box and carry a load? People instinctively bend over to pick up the box, which might lead to back injuries. The correct way of picking it up is to squat down, pick up the box, and use your leg muscles to stand up. You also need to stand straight while carrying it so that the load is supported by your arm muscles, not your back muscles. In doing so, you avoid injuries.
 
In life, several people experience similar circumstances, which may not be in their control. But they can control the way they carry the situation. You only need to look at the many self-made millionaires, or the celebrities who were told they did not meet the cut but they proved people wrong.
 
How does carrying the load differently look like?
 

• Think positively instead of negatively. Thinking positively opens up possibilities. People are also drawn to those who display optimism. Find what’s good in the situation, or what can be good in the future.
• Use different skills or strategy. Similar to the example above on carrying the load, you might want to take a step back and assess if there are alternative strategies to carrying the load. When you try to influence one person, experts advise that you use more than one influencing strategy. You only need to learn, and learning is something everyone can do. 

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Quote 2: Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.
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- Thomas Jefferson - 

​Right now, you probably do not feel like doing anything. Something negative may have happened and you are defining yourself based on the result of that situation. Well, don’t. Your character, your actions will define you.
 
Actions are what people see. They cannot see your thoughts or your emotions. Your actions prove your thoughts and emotions. So even if you feel down, don’t wallow in inaction.
 
Besides, there is wisdom in the prescription, ‘Fake it ‘til you make it.’ When you start acting confidently, you will soon be that confident individual. 

Quote 3: Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.

— Zig Ziglar (Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World)

If you are running out of motivation, don’t be discouraged. After all, we all need to be constantly motivated. That’s why experts say that you need to surround yourself with motivating people.
 
Alternatively, you can also do the following:

• Read motivational books. There are lots of books in the market that really inspire. Among my favorites are Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World.
• Listen to motivational speakers, or to your mentors. Internalize their energy. Most of these motivational speakers have personally gone through struggles and succeeded. Also, they understand what it feels like to be in the rut, and since they managed to get themselves out of it, they are inspired to share. So look for these speakers.what you have.
  
• Appreciate what you have. List down three things you are thankful for for the day. Trust me, it helps you look at your life in a different way. Use this to motivate you that good things are out there. 

Quote 4: Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don't.

— Steve Maraboli (Life, the Truth, and Being Free)

​Some people feel down because they don’t get the results they want but they fail to acknowlege that there are really just some things that were not within their control. You can’t control the wind, but you can re-position the sails. Re-positioning the sails are in your control.
 
Be smart. Learn to let go so you can focus your attention on actions that can change the course. You can make it through the rain if you wear rain gears. That’s how you make it through the rain. 

Quote 5: People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them.

― George Bernard Shaw, Mrs. Warren's Profession

​Following on again on action quotes, it’s motivational to know that not all successful people had everything lined up for them. Things will definitely go wrong, and that’s a fact. And when they do, find alternatives, or make alternatives.
 
This finding of something new has led to many inventions. The story of the band-aid is a good example.
 
The history of band-aid started with a loving husband’s care for his wife. He always came home to a loving wife who suffered minor cuts doing household chores. They got frustrated since bandaging took time, from cutting the gauze and cutting the adhesive. The solution? Viola, they created a band-aid. There are opportunities in lack. If you can’t find what you are looking for, maybe it’s time to create it. Exciting.

Quote 6: Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.

― William James

Isaac Newton stated that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion in constant speed, unless acted upon. If you are happy with the status quo, then it’s fine. When the time comes that you want change, the only way to initiate it is to act.
 
If you don’t act, you’ll be acted upon. When this happens, you have less control of the results. So take charge!

Quote 7: Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue your goals. If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more.

― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

​Feeling that something is missing spurs people to new goals, focusing too much on the lack can lead to bitterness.
 
Be better, not bitter. Learn to appreciate that you have already accomplished something. While it may be a stretch, you have learned something since you were born. This appreciation will help you feel less anxious when things don’t go your way. Don’t get me wrong, go ahead and strive for your goals. After all, besides being happy, we also exist to become the better versions of ourselves. Be better than yesterday, not more bitter.

Quote 8: Don't wish it were easier. Wish you were better.

― Jim Rohn

​Still with the concept of being better. Sometimes, all it takes is for us to upgrade ourselves in order to be able to face the different situations. It will be easier when you get better. The situation won’t change. But you, your strategy, your skills can change. Be better at strategy or skills.

Quote 9: Don't fear failure. — Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.

― Bruce Lee, Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee's Wisdom for Daily Living

​Fear of failure is horribly paralyzing. Even high flyers are not able to achieve their full potential because of fear of failure. However, don’t feel discouraged when you are afraid. After all, our society has not been too kind with encouraging us to brave failure.
 
You will meet people who both admire you for your achievements but secretly wish (and sometimes, they can’t help themselves) that you’d fail so that you’d look more human. I believe that what’s more human is to continue to try to do our best, but with humility that we can fail. And if we fail, we need to be proud of ourselves for having the courage to try. Like that Bruce Lee said, ‘In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.’
 
So do what you need to do. 

Quote 10: The universe doesn’t give you what you ask for with your thoughts - it gives you what you demand with your actions.

― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

​Finally, you can only reach the stars if you reach out. Man only reached the moon when he took action. Thoughts and plans were naught until they were executed.
 
So be a worker. Be busy. That’s how you get honey.
 
I hope these quotes have encouraged you. They encouraged me a lot. So go out there and be the best version of yourself.