Most of us have experienced those gruelling days when every step towards our goal feels like wading through quicksand and it seems like the universe is plotting to halt our progress.
In such times, a strong dose of motivational quotes can be the lifeline that pulls us through.
For me, the uphill journey of building and sustaining a successful blog presents such challenges.
For you, it could be a different mountain entirely – launching a business, crafting a novel, training for a marathon, or earning a degree.
Regardless of the endeavour, there will inevitably be moments when the going gets tough.
When Going Gets Tough Quotes: My Secret Arsenal
In such times, I turn to “when going gets tough quotes.”
These nuggets of wisdom act as my secret arsenal, reigniting my passion and drive when the flame starts to flicker.
They serve as a powerful reminder, shoving self-doubt aside when it dares to creep in.
I have a hunch they could be just as helpful for you.
The Transformative Power of ‘When Going Gets Tough Quotes’
I still remember the profound impact David Goggins’ ‘Can’t Hurt Me’ had on me.
His unyielding spirit and tenacity sparked a fire within me, leading me to publish a new blog post every day for a week.
There are countless stories of people who, after watching Goggins’ interviews or reading his book, felt so inspired they paused the video or put down the book to go for a run, then returned to finish, rejuvenated and inspired.
It was a testament to the transformative power of motivational content.
If it could do that for me and many others, I’m confident it could work wonders for you, regardless of your pursuit.
A Resilient Collection of ‘When Going Gets Tough Quotes’
In the following sections, I’ve compiled some of my all-time favourite quotes.
These are the words I lean on when the going gets tough in my blogging journey.
They’ve helped me tap into an inner reservoir of energy and spirit, pushing me to keep moving forward.
My hope is that they’ll inspire you similarly, helping you unlock your own wellspring of resilience and determination.
Diving into Inspirational Quotes for Tough Times
Without further ado, let’s delve into these motivational quotes for when the going gets tough.
Unwavering Consistency: The Key to Overcoming Tough Times
Consider Sam Dogen’s journey:
….. I started the site in 2009 during the middle of the financial crisis and made a promise to publish 3X a week for 10 years in a row. I figured, if I could stay consistent all these years, the site would grow, allow me to leave my job, and earn me some online income and equity in the process. Almost 10 years later, it has done just that. A couple of my peers just sold their websites for $6M – $7M, but I plan to keep going because running Financial Samurai is fun!
Despite the economic turmoil, his unwavering consistency bore fruit.
His site grew beyond expectations, enabling him to leave his traditional job and accumulate significant online income.
Today, he continues his journey, not out of necessity but out of sheer passion.
Early pioneers in their respective fields often reap the rewards of their diligent efforts.
They weren’t merely dabbling; they were fully committed to the long term.
This brings us to the first essential piece of wisdom…
Persevere: Don’t Quit When Times Get Tough
Norman Vincent Peale wisely reminded us:
It’s always too early to quit.
Similarly, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, advised:
When things go wrong, don’t go with them.
These insights serve as critical reminders of the importance of perseverance, no matter what your endeavour.
But most importantly…
Believe in Possibility: An Essential ‘When Going Gets Tough’ Mindset
Malcolm Gladwell, during his appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, emphasised the importance of belief: even when our current efforts don’t seem perfect, we must hold onto the conviction that there is a way to do things beautifully and flawlessly. “And the minute you lose that belief that it’s possible, it’s over.”
Even though it’s false, you have to hold in your heart the conviction that there is a way to say this perfectly and beautifully…. so even when you’re in draft 1, 2 or 5 and it’s not there yet, you have to believe it’s possible. And the minute you lose that belief that it’s possible, it’s over.
Gladwell’s words resonated deeply with me, causing me to replay that particular segment multiple times.
He might make it sound effortless (an attribute that could come off as mildly irritating), but he’s been candid about the challenges he faced at the onset.
It took him over a decade of writing four articles a week to master his craft.
Gladwell’s response to writer’s block was refreshingly straightforward.
In a conversation with Tim Ferriss, he humorously illustrated the ridiculousness of the concept. “Imagine going up to your boss and telling him, ‘I have writer’s block.’ ‘I can’t write.'”
Though he didn’t say what would likely happen next, one can almost hear the response: “Pack your bag!”
This mindset encourages me to keep pushing forward, especially when I imagine myself in a professional scenario, where delivering results is non-negotiable.
It propels me to strive for my best, regardless of any insecurities or doubts.
This sentiment is beautifully echoed by Maya Angelou…
Doing the Best You Can in Tough Times
Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.
This wisdom from Maya Angelou has had a profound impact on me.
It made me realise that, like us, Angelou must have grappled with her own limitations and insecurities throughout her varied careers.
It’s one of those timeless truths about personal growth that you don’t fully grasp until you’ve experienced it, right?
Remember, we were all once clumsy toddlers struggling to crawl, let alone walk. So, wherever you are on your journey, keep moving forward.
If crawling is what you can manage today, then do it with gusto. Martha Beck’s words ring true:
If anything is worth doing, it’s worth doing it badly.
Much like a toddler embarking on the worthy pursuit of crawling before they learn to walk, we too should pursue our goals irrespective of the challenges.
In the process, embracing our imperfections and striving for improvement is a must.
Seth Godin encapsulates this idea wonderfully:
You’re probably not good enough. But you could get better and if you keep getting better, sooner or later, you’ll be better.
This quote serves as a reminder that the path to personal growth is a long journey, not a sprint, and every small step forward is a step towards progress.
Embrace Abundance: A ‘When Going Gets Tough’ Mantra
As Maya Angelou wisely stated:
You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.
This quote beautifully encapsulates the principle of an abundance mindset.
Remember, creativity isn’t a finite resource; the more you leverage it, the more it expands.
If you’re interested in cultivating an abundance mindset for personal success, you might find my blog post on Cultivating Growth Mindset Habits for Personal Success helpful.
Quality Over Quantity: A Journey, Not a Destination
When given a choice between quantity and quality, most of us would instinctively lean towards the latter. We all aspire to deliver our best work, after all.
However, it’s crucial to remember that remarkable success rarely occurs overnight.
Football superstar Lionel Messi once said:
It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.
The path to mastery often entails many instances of less-than-stellar outputs.
So, if producing a large quantity of “not-so-great” work now is what it takes to improve, then let’s embrace that journey wholeheartedly!
Struggling with perfectionism? Discover effective strategies on how to overcome perfectionism and unlock your true potential.
Monetise Your Craft: A Practical Perspective for Tough Times
Remember, it’s not just acceptable, but necessary, to aim to generate income from your work.
As Vincent van Gogh once expressed:
It’s absolutely my duty to try to make money by my work.
We should all strive to monetise the value we bring to the world.
Money, after all, is a tangible form of feedback.
When people are willing to pay for your work, it’s a clear indication that you’re doing something right.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
Cultivate a Mindset of Certainty: A ‘When Going Gets Tough’ Strategy
Now, ask yourself this: if working on your goal every day guaranteed success, would you commit to it?
For me, the answer rings with a resounding ‘yes.’
Thus, I trick my mind into believing that success is a certainty if I maintain my daily habits.
This mental exercise transforms success from a mere possibility into a certainty, fueling my determination to work on my goals every day.
Final Thoughts on ‘When Going Gets Tough Quotes’
The words of Zig Ziglar couldn’t be more fitting:
People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.
This truth illustrates why it’s crucial to continuously replenish our minds with motivational materials. It’s akin to our daily hygiene habits that keep us physically clean.
Motivational content has the power to catalyse profound transformations. Its impact is not limited to a single person or a specific pursuit; its reach is universal.
It’s capable of instigating immediate change, pushing us beyond our comfort zones, and compelling us to step up and take action.
My hope is that the motivational quotes shared in this post will kindle a similar fire within you, propelling you to maintain momentum and overcome challenges in your own journey.
May they enable you to leave your unique mark on the world.
Remember, the pursuit of your goal is a journey.
Keep moving forward, keep pushing against the odds, and above all, keep inspiring!
For more inspiration to keep you from throwing in the towel when things get tough, be sure to check out our compilation of 100 Powerful Giving Up Quotes for When You Feel Like Quitting.
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