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Motivational quotes for work

9 Motivational Quotes for Productive Working

by Zeze Oriaikhi-SaoNovember 30, 20205 min read

Sometimes we all need a little motivation when it comes to working productively – especially as that end of your slump kicks in and numerous deadlines loom large. Here are 9 motivational quotes from some pretty spectacular people to unleash that productive work mode. These are certainly worth a read when you need a little pick me up.

  1. “What I know is, is that if you do work that you love, and the work fulfils you, the rest will come.” – Oprah Winfrey.

Inspiringly, Oprah reveals that you have to love what you do, and I couldn’t agree more. Undeniably, when you love what you’re doing and feel fulfilled you’ll feel a greater sense of motivation to get the work done. While we all have parts of our jobs that are difficult or frustrating, it’s essential to find the things that inspire and fulfil us. Naturally, this will motivate us to work in more productive ways and reach our goals.

  1. “If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” – Bruce Lee

Tragically, Bruce Lee died at the age of only 32, however he was an incredibly productive person and achieved a lot in his short life. He was indeed a man of many hats – film star, martial arts practitioner and instructor, screenwriter, and philosopher. Interestingly, he developed a philosophy called ‘Jeet Kune Do’ and this was all about removing the unessential from our lives and decluttering the mind.  By focusing on the immediate and necessary and slowing down our minds, we can gain greater clarity and focus on the work at hand.

  1. “Worrying gets you nowhere. If you turn up worrying about how you’re going to perform, you’ve already lost”- Usain Bolt.

Naturally, a little anxiety and worry are completely normal but too much can hinder productivity and stop you in your tracks. Consequently, believing in your abilities and thinking the best can motivate you and inspire more productivity.

  1. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

Sometimes you just have to take the leap. Understandably, it’s easy to think about and talk about all the things we need to do. Nonetheless, these good intentions need to be propelled into meaningful action. By doing rather than saying, you allow productivity to unfold.

  1. “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou

Literary icon and hero, Maya Angelou was indeed a very wise woman. Unfortunately, we’ll all encounter defeats from time to time and these moments can easily demotivate us and make us feel unproductive. However, humans are resilient and can get through even the most difficult of circumstances no matter how bad things might feel. Powerfully, Angelou reminds us of this in her infamous poem, “Still I Rise.”

  1. “You can do anything, but not everything.” — David Allen

Amazingly, humans have the incredible ability to do pretty much anything they set their mind to. However, this doesn’t mean we can do everything alone. Poet John Donne famously wrote, “no man is an island” and thus, we need other people. Accordingly, harness the potential of others and delegate jobs that you do not need to do yourself since this will give you more time to focus on your strengths. Undeniably, with clearer focus, comes greater motivation and productivity.

  1. “Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” – Coco Chanel.

Placing narrow limits on ourselves is a sure way to feel demotivated and this can hinder work productivity. Consequently, believing in our amazing potential is bound to inspire us into action. Rather than focusing on limiting fears of failure, focus on the possibility for incredible success.

  1. “You don’t need a new plan for next year. You need a commitment.” – Seth Godin.

As 2020 draws to a close, we can fall into the trap of planning a million new goals for the year ahead. However, sometimes all we need is some newfound commitment to our existing goals. By focusing on what matters most to us and committing to achievable goals, we can boost productivity and get more done.

  1. “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” – Albert Einstein

Undeniably, working productively is also about taking risks.  As a result of these leaps, major breakthroughs often occur. As such, failure allows you to grow and explore and can enhance your motivation and productivity.

CONCLUSION

Understandably, we all get stuck in a rut sometimes, and that is totally okay – for a moment. Nonetheless, these motivational quotes are bound to inspire you to take some leaps, hone in on your strengths, find the place where work meets passion, and focus on the DO-ing!

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Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao
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