It’s easy to feel motivated when you’re watching a sunset in Santorini or hiking the Alps. It is much harder to find that drive when you’re stranded at an airport at 3 AM, facing a career setback, or simply feeling burned out by the daily grind. People often see the highlight reel of my life across 73 countries, but they rarely see the mindset work required to keep going when things go wrong.
As a travel blogger and entrepreneur, I’ve learned that motivation isn’t a permanent state…it’s a fuel you have to constantly replenish. Whether I’m pushing through a freezing cold plunge in a New England lake or navigating the uncertainties of running a small business, I rely heavily on the wisdom of others to reset my perspective.
These are the specific mantras that have supported my inner journey and helped me push past my comfort zone, from taking that first scary leap into full-time travel to challenging myself with my yearly misogi challenges.
If you are looking for a sign to start that new project, book that ticket, or just get through a tough week, you are in the right place. Here is the collection of inspirational quotes that sits in my own journals, curated to help you find your spark in 2026!
Jon’s Top 3 Picks: The Quotes That Changed My Trajectory
If you don’t have time to scroll through the entire list of 100 quotes right now, these are the three that have had the most profound impact on my life. These aren’t just words I like; they are the principles that helped me build Global Viewpoint and travel to over 70 countries.
For when you are afraid to start
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.” — Mark Twain
Why this hits deep: This is the quote that defined the early days of my travel blogging career. When I first started, I didn’t know about SEO, affiliate marketing, or photography. If I had known how difficult the industry actually was, I might never have started. I realized that sometimes, over-analyzing is the enemy of progress. You don’t need to know the whole path; you just need enough confidence to take the first step and enough “ignorance” to ignore the odds stacked against you.
For when you feel stuck or comfortable
“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” — Christopher Columbus
Why this hits deep: I think about this quote every year when I plan my Misogi—a yearly challenge where I deliberately push myself into extreme discomfort to foster growth. Comfort is addictive, but it’s also stagnant. Whether it was my first solo trip abroad or plunging into an ice-cold lake, the most transformative moments of my life only happened once I let go of my safety net. If you are gripping the “shore” of a job you hate or a routine that bores you, let go.
For when you face failure
“Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” — Winston Churchill
Why this hits deep: Social media often makes the travel lifestyle look effortless, but behind every perfect shot in the Alps is a missed train, a rejected pitch, or a bout of exhaustion. This quote reminds me that resilience isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about how quickly you can get back up. If you are going through a rough patch, remember that your enthusiasm is your most valuable asset. Protect it.
Top 100 Inspirational Quotes to Motivate You
With the right spark, you can set the world ablaze. Let these words be that spark. From famous writers and political leaders to athletes and artists, here are my favorite inspirational quotes of all time.
1. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” ― Maya Angelou
2. “In every shadow, there’s a story waiting to shine.” ― Jon Miksis
3. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” ― Confucius
4. “To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.” ― Mark Twain
I love this quote because it emphasizes that the only thing holding you back is yourself. Sometimes, you need to take on a childlike innocence and forget how hard succeeding can actually be. After all, that usually stops us from starting something to begin with: the fear of failure.
When I first quit my job to travel, I had zero idea how to run a blog. I only had ignorance and confidence. This quote reminds me of the time I boarded a one-way flight to Iceland without a hotel booked…
The best way to succeed in life is to ignore that voice that tells you, “But it’s going to be too difficult,” and find an air of confidence even if you have to fake it. Because if you fake confidence for long enough, sooner or later, you won’t be faking it anymore.
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5. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” ― Wayne Gretzky
6. “Every step forward is a victory, no matter how small.” ― Jon Miksis
7. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” ― Steve Jobs
8. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” ―Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt often echoed the power of dreams and vision in shaping the future. Every major trip I’ve taken to over 70 countries started as a simple daydream…a visualization of a landscape or a culture I wanted to experience. Before you can book the flight or hike the trail, you have to believe that the vision in your head is worth chasing. In the travel world, “dreaming” isn’t passive; it’s the first stage of planning.
9. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” ―Nelson Mandela
10. “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
11. “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” ― Henry Ford
12. “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” ―Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, Apple Inc.’s co-founder, championed authenticity. He was a fountain of inspirational quotes to motivate you.
For years, I felt the pressure to follow the “standard” path: get a corporate job, buy a house, settle down immediately. But that path felt suffocating to me. This quote was a wake-up call to build a life centered around exploration and wellness, even if it didn’t make sense to everyone else. Whether you want to travel full-time or just start a side hustle, authenticity is the only metric that matters.
- You may also like: My Inner Journey Story
13. “Every challenge is just a bridge to a brighter tomorrow.”
14. “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
15. “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” ― Albert Einstein
16. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” ― C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis, with his deep wisdom, spoke of undying hope and the perpetual potential for growth. Age, he reminds us, shouldn’t dictate our dreams.
One of the best parts of staying in hostels or hiking trails like the Alps is meeting travelers in their 60s, 70s, and 80s who are out-hiking people half their age. I’ve met retirees who just started backpacking for the first time. It proves that “adventure” has no expiration date. Never let a number on a driver’s license stop you from reinventing yourself.
It’s never too late to go back to school, start a new hobby, or travel. Age is just a number. This is one of the best quotes about inspiring things that you can imagine.
17. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
18. “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” ― Jordan Belfort
19. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” ― Theodore Roosevelt
20. “If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore.” ―Michele Ruiz
Entrepreneur Michele Ruiz’s visionary ethos reminds us not to let doubts weigh us down. When you decide to take an unconventional path—like turning a blog into a business or traveling solo—you will inevitably face skepticism. I’ve learned not to waste energy arguing with doubters. Instead, I channel that energy into my work. The best way to silence the noise isn’t with words; it’s with results.
21. “Turn the page; your next chapter is unwritten and waiting.” ― Jon Miksis
22. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” ― John D. Rockefeller
23. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” ― Walt Disney
24. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” ―John Lennon
John Lennon, the legendary musician and member of The Beatles, penned this iconic line, and it’s one of the many motivational quotes that continue to inspire us in 2026. At its core, the quote serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life.
I used to be a rigid planner. I had spreadsheets for my spreadsheets. But travel has humbled me—missed trains in Italy, sudden rainstorms in Bali, or getting lost in a new city. I’ve found that these “interruptions” to the plan are often where the real memories are made. Now, I try to leave room for the unexpected, knowing that the detour is often better than the destination.
How I apply this: When a flight gets canceled or I miss a train (like I did in Germany last year), I force myself to treat it as an unplanned excursion rather than a failure. I now carry a ‘delay journal’ specifically for these moments.
25. “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” ―Henry David Thoreau
26. “The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” ― Mark Zuckerberg
27. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
28. “The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.” ―Colin R. Davis
I love this because it highlights that “failure” isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of the process. The only difference between the two is that successful people kept walking down the road after a setback, while others turned back. Every failed pitch or blog post that flopped was just a stepping stone that taught me how to do it better the next time.
29. “Chase the horizon, and you’ll always find a new dawn.” ― Jon Miksis
30. “The best revenge is massive success.” ― Frank Sinatra
31. “Dream big and dare to fail.” ― Norman Vaughan
32. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” ―Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln’s words emphasize the power of proactive action over passive anticipation. Instead of merely speculating about what the future holds, you should actively shape and influence it!
33. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ― Theodore Roosevelt
34. “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” ― Winston Churchill
35. “If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” ― Jim Rohn
36. “In order to write about life, first you must live it.” ―Ernest Hemingway
This is the ethos behind my entire blog. You can’t understand a destination by just reading about it or looking at Instagram photos. You have to taste the food, feel the cold water, and talk to the locals. I always tell aspiring creators: don’t worry about your “niche” yet—just go out there and live interesting stories. The writing will follow.
37. “The sky isn’t the limit — the sky has no limit.” — Sarah Barker
38. “The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.” ― Unknown
39. “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” ― Vidal Sassoon
40. “You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” ―Christopher Columbus
Columbus’s words embody the essence of discovery. Real exploration is about taking risks. Whether it’s tasting new foods or navigating a city with an unfamiliar language, exploration demands bravery.
This concept is central to my yearly Misogi challenges. We are hardwired to crave safety (the shore), but growth only happens in the deep water. Whether it was leaving my comfort zone to travel solo or pushing my physical limits in a cold plunge, the most rewarding moments of my life required me to let go of my safety net first.
41. “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” ― Tony Robbins
42. “Don’t stop when you’re tired. Stop when you’re done.” ― David Goggins
43. “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” ― Steve Jobs
44. “Life is short, and it’s up to you to make it sweet.” ―Sarah Louise Delany
45. “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” ―Dalai Lama
It sounds simple, but we complicate it. We chase status, money, or followers, forgetting that the end goal is just contentment. When I’m traveling, I often find that the happiest people I meet have the least material wealth. It’s a constant reminder to check my own priorities: Does this decision actually make me happy, or does it just look good on paper?
46. “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” ―Mother Teresa
47. “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” ―Charles R. Swindoll
48. “The only thing more contagious than a good attitude is a bad one.” ― David Goggins
49. “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” ― Lewis Carroll
I have never regretted a trip I took, even the ones that went wrong. I only regret the times I said “no” because I was too tired or too afraid. When I’m 80 years old, I want to look back on a life full of “I can’t believe I did that,” not “I wish I had tried that.
- Read next: These are the things I’m grateful for
50. “The path to success is to take massive, determined action.” ― Tony Robbins
51. “I didn’t get here by dreaming or thinking about it. I got here by doing it.” ― Estée Lauder
52. “Every morning, I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me. After the explosion, I spend the rest of the day putting the pieces together.” ― Ray Bradbury
53. “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan.” ―Jim Rohn
This is the biggest danger of modern life: drifting. If you aren’t intentional about your time—scheduling your adventures, prioritizing your wellness, setting your boundaries—the world will dictate your schedule for you. Designing your life isn’t selfish; it’s necessary survival. I’m a huge fan of Jim Rohn and this inspiring quote hits deep!
54. “The future rewards those who press on. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I’m going to press on.” ― Barack Obama
55. “If you set your goals ridiculously high and it’s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success.” ― James Cameron
56. “The stars shine brightest when the night is darkest; so can you.” ― Jon Miksis
57. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” ― Chinese Proverb
I often hear people say, “I wish I started traveling when I was younger,” or “I wish I started a business five years ago.” This mindset is a trap. You can’t change the past, but you can control today. Don’t let the regret of yesterday stop you from starting today.
58. “We only get to play this game one time. We have one life.” ― Gary Vaynerchuk
59. “If you’re not making someone else’s life better, then you’re wasting your time. Your life will become better by making other lives better.” ― Will Smith
60. “Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” ― Farrah Gray
61 “Not all those who wander are lost.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien
This famous J.R.R. Tolkien quote is an ode to every traveler. Sometimes, it’s not about the destination but the journey itself. So, even if your path seems aimless to others, you’re on the right path if it brings discovery and joy.
62. “If it’s not raw and real, it’s not worth doing.” ― Jesse Itzler
63. “Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be.” ― Zig Ziglar
64. “The future belongs to the competent. Get good, get better, be the best!” ― Brian Tracy
65. “Everything you can imagine is real.”― Pablo Picasso
Imagination is the starting point for everything; if you can dream it, you can do it. All it takes is a little imagination and a lot of hard work. Whether you dream of painting a masterpiece or submitting tall peaks, don’t give up!
66. “The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It’s what you’re made of. Not the circumstances.” — Unknown
67. “Impossible is just an opinion.” — Paulo Coelho
68. “The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire, not things we fear.” ― Brian Tracy
69. “You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” ― George Lorimer
I find this inspirational quote particularly motivating to have more positive mornings. When you wake up in the morning, your mindset can influence your entire day. If you start your day with determination, you can go to bed knowing you did your best.
70. “The universe rewards calculated risk and passion.” ― Joe Rogan
71. “The key to growth is acknowledging your fear of the unknown and jumping in anyway.” ― Jen Sincero
72. “You must determine where you are going in your life, because you cannot get there unless you move in that direction. Random wandering will not move you forward. It will instead disappoint and frustrate you and make you anxious and unhappy and hard to get along with (and then resentful, and then vengeful, and then worse).” ― Jordan Peterson
73. “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.” ― Christine Caine
This is one of the most powerful perspectives on adversity I’ve ever found. There have been times in my business and personal life where I felt completely overwhelmed—like I was buried under pressure. Looking back, those were the seasons where I grew the most roots. If you are going through a hard time right now, try to view it as a season of growth, not a season of endings.
74. “You have to be a hero in your own story for as long as you live.” ― Joe Rogan
75. “When faced with mountains, become the wind that shapes them.” ― Jon Miksis
76. “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.” ― Jordan Peterson
77. “Begin anywhere.” ― John Cage
So often, we fail to start something because we don’t know how–or where to begin. Don’t let this hold you back; any point can be a starting point if that’s where you begin!
78. “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.” ― Elon Musk
79. “You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours.” ― Herb Brooks
80. “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” ― Oprah Winfrey
81. “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” ― Suzy Kassem
Imposter syndrome is real, and I still deal with it. But I’ve realized that failure is actually not that scary…you fail, you learn, you move on. Doubt is worse because it paralyzes you before you even begin. I’d rather fail a hundred times than sit on the sidelines wondering “what if.”
82. “Growth isn’t about reaching peaks but learning in the valleys.” — Jon Miksis
83. “If you get up in the morning and think the future is going to be better, it is a bright day. Otherwise, it’s not.” ― Elon Musk
84. “The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” ― Joel Brown
85. “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill’s words and wisdom remind us that the journey is more important than the destination. Once you’ve reached “success,” you should not just end your journey, or else you risk complacency. On the flip side, failure is not the end but rather the opportunity to learn through our mistakes and continue the journey.
86. “It is only when we take chances, when our lives improve. The initial and the most difficult risk that we need to take is to become honest. — Walter Anderson
87. “Sunshine all the time makes a desert.” ― Arabic proverb
I love the California sunshine, but this quote is a reality check. Social media teaches us to only show the “sunshine”…the perfect travel photos and big wins. But character is built in the rain. My resilience wasn’t built on first-class flights; it was built during the travel delays, the lonely nights, and the hard work behind the scenes. You need the storms to grow.
88. “You don’t need to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
89. “Don’t tell everyone your plans, instead show them your results.” ― Unknown
Quotes that are inspirational have nothing on this one! This quote emphasizes the power of action over words, suggesting that results speak louder and are more impactful than mere intentions. It encourages discretion and the value of letting achievements reveal one’s capabilities. In eall, it’s a call to pursue goals with determination and let success be the voice that announces them.
90. “Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.” — W. Clement Stone
Even if you fall short of your original objective, you will likely still achieve something significant. Remember: the journey is just as important as the destination. Even our failures to reach our lofty goals have a positive outlook: new insight.
91. “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” — Milton Berle
92. “Fall 7 times, stand up 8.” — Japanese Proverb
93. “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
94. “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” — J.M. Barrie
Children have this incredible ability to believe anything is possible. As adults, we become “realistic,” which is often just a code word for “cynical.” I try to keep a bit of that Peter Pan energy alive. Whether it’s believing I can summit a mountain or build a new income stream, maintaining that childlike belief in possibility is half the battle.
95. “Don’t compromise yourself. You’re all you’ve got.” — Janis Joplin
96. “It is better to travel well than to arrive.” — Buddha
Buddha’s quote on motivation highlights the significance of the journey over the destination. It suggests that the experiences, growth, and insights gained along the way are more valuable than merely reaching an endpoint. In essence, it’s the process and the lessons learned during the journey that truly enrich our lives.
97. “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” — Andy Warhol
98. “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” —Mister Rogers
In the hustle of entrepreneurship and travel, kindness is an underrated currency. I’ve found that being kind to gate agents, hotel staff, and fellow travelers has opened more doors for me than any “networking hack” ever could. Success feels empty if you have to step on people to get there. Be kind, always.
99. “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” — Will Rogers
100. “Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” ―Sam Levenson
As the year unwinds, let these 100 inspirational quotes for motivation be the wind beneath your wings, guiding you to horizons anew. I’d love to know which quotes resonated with you the most! Let me know in the comments below!
FAQs about inspirational quotes for motivation
Staying motivated isn’t a magic trick; it’s a habit. I often treat these quotes as “mental supplements”…something I take daily to keep my head in the game. Here is how I actually apply them to my life and travels.
Why are inspirational quotes important?
It’s easy to get stuck in a negative loop, especially when you are solo traveling or facing a business setback. I view inspirational quotes as a “pattern interrupt.” When my internal monologue becomes negative (“I can’t do this,” “I’m too tired”), reading a powerful quote snaps me out of that spiral. It reminds me that someone else has felt this way before and survived. They aren’t just words; they are evidence that resilience is possible.
What is the single best motivational quote of all time?
This is subjective, but if I had to choose one that has defined my career as a travel blogger and entrepreneur, it is this one by Steve Jobs:
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”
This quote is the reason I pivoted from a traditional path to this wild life of travel. It reminds me that passion isn’t a luxury; it’s the fuel required to do great work. If you hate what you do, you will burn out. If you love it, you will find a way to make it work.
How do I actually remember to use these quotes?
Reading a list is easy; remembering it is hard. Here are three specific ways I keep these top of mind:
- Journal Prompts: When I do my morning journaling, I write the quote at the top of the page and spend 5 minutes writing about what it means to me today.
- Phone Wallpaper: I take a screenshot of the quote that resonates most with my current struggle and set it as my lock screen. I look at my phone 100 times a day—that’s 100 reminders.
- The Mirror Note: I use a dry-erase marker to write a short mantra on my bathroom mirror. It’s the first thing I see when I brush my teeth.
What is a good “Motto for 2026”?
Forget the complex corporate slogans. For 2026, I am adopting a simple three-word motto:
“Action cures fear.”
We live in a time of high anxiety and information overload. We over-research trips, over-analyze business ideas, and doom-scroll the news. This motto reminds me that the only way to lower my anxiety is to take one small, concrete step forward. Don’t worry about the whole staircase; just take the step.
How can I encourage my future self?
I am a huge believer in writing “Time Capsule” letters. Once a year (usually on New Year’s Eve), I write a letter to myself to be opened exactly one year later. I don’t just write about goals; I write about feelings.
- “Remember how scared you were to launch that product?”
- “Remember how lost you felt in that airport?”
- “You got through that, and you’ll get through this.”
Reading these a year later proves to me that I am capable of overcoming things that once felt impossible.
What should I do if quotes aren’t helping anymore?
This is important: Sometimes you don’t need a quote; you need a nap. If you are reading this list and feeling nothing but exhaustion or cynicism, that is a sign of burnout, not a lack of motivation. No amount of “hustle culture” quotes can fix a physiological need for rest. If the words aren’t working, close the laptop, go for a walk without your phone, or get 8 hours of sleep. Come back when your battery is recharged.
Inspirational Quotes to Motivate You – Recap
I hope you enjoyed my round-up of the quotes that have kept me going through 73 countries and countless challenges.
If you’re looking for a sign to pursue your dreams, let this be it. But remember: reading the quote is the easy part. Living it is where the adventure begins.
Which of these quotes hit home for you? Or do you have a personal mantra I missed? Let me know in the comments…I read every single one!
Looking for a holistic retreat in 2026? Read my other website with motivational retreat ideas this year.
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
