Can motivational quotes really motivate you? In recent years, you’ve probably found countless articles with “the best” motivational or inspirational quotes. Some have written articles that are enraged that people continue to use motivational quotes on social media. However, we’d like to explore a little further into why people seem to gravitate toward these uplifting positive phrases. Let’s get to it!

Are Motivational Quotes a Waste of Time?

Why does it seem that people tend to flock to motivational quotes? Plain and simple…life happens.

Everyone is dealing with something from petty annoyances to life-altering catastrophes. Is there really any wonder why people are seeking motivation and inspiration on a daily basis? If you’re not able to have a personal cheerleader by your side such as a friend or family member, life can be rough. As a society, we look to each other for knowledge, comfort, and solidarity.

Sharing quotes and phrases isn’t a recent phenomenon, people have been sharing their favorite quotes for generations. Well-structured messages can be powerful in changing our thinking.

According to a study in Frontiers in Psychology, they found by using motivational quotes with their digital health technologies it improved self-esteem in a variety of patients.

They categorized a multitude of quotes into eight different categories:

1. Choice (presents the option of acting to change one’s present state)
2. Self-Directed Question (poses a question to the individual that stimulates introspection)
3. Cause and Effect (outlines the positive effects that may result from particular thoughts or actions)
4. Imperative (provides direction and explicit commands for the individual to follow in order to improve wellbeing)
5. Empowerment/“You” (addresses the individual directly with positive affirming statements)
6. Experience of Others/“I” (offers the opinion or first-person account of someone else)
7. Reality Check (disrupts the perception of a perfect world)
8. General (discusses general concepts or situations in life)

What they found was that some motivational quotes are more effective than others, with different types of quotes being better suited to address particular patients. This means you have to know your audience.

This works the same as a business owner or entrepreneur, you’ll find the types of motivational quotes that will best suit your clients. This is why many people get upset when they see others posting motivational quotes haphazardly. The only way your message is going to come across genuine, is if you genuinely feel the motivational quote will be helpful to the audience.

You must choose specific quotes that align with your target audience. For example, Content Marketing Institute provides inspirational quotes specifically for content marketing. This makes sense, right?

The point is, don’t get mislead into thinking motivational quotes won’t do anything for you or your audience. Everyone needs a boost in motivation! It is up to you to take action and that’ll truly make the difference.

Since we now know that motivational quotes aren’t a complete waste of time, we’d like to share some with you.

Motivational Quotes for a Successful Year

For days when you’re freaking out and feel like you’re losing control:

If you own this story you get to write the ending. – Brené Brown

Hope is the foundation for which all successful goals are built upon. – Ellen J. Barrier

It always seems impossible until it’s done. – Nelson Mandela

It’s not whether you got knocked down; it’s whether you get back up. – Vince Lombardi

When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on. – Theodore Roosevelt

It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. – Socrates

Structure your thought pattern to what you want to achieve and who you want to become. – Agu Jaachynma NE

You become what you think about all day long. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

When you need to keep going but you feel stuck and need an extra shove to take action:

Successful people do consistently what normal people do occasionally. – Craig Groeschel

Success won’t come from some big step you take in the future. Success starts with small steps today. – Craig Groeschel

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? – Vincent van Gogh

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. – Les Brown

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lead by example, not by instruction. – Jared Matthew Kessler
Find and Use What Motivates You

Hopefully, you’ve found some motivational quotes that will boost your entrepreneurial spirit and inspire you to take action on your goals. Stencil has more than 100,000 quotes in the quote library you can use when you want to create your own quote graphics. Go ahead and explore the Stencil quote library now!

If you liked the motivational images here, we have a free download for you.
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Let us know what quote motivates you in the comments!