Empowering quotes about life and work
Why are we such suckers for motivational or empowering quotes? And what makes them so effective? According to some psychologists, there is a self-selection process that narrows the population of those who find themselves drawn to them. For me, their primary power lies in this: the fact that someone, somewhere, thinks you can do it’, whatever ‘it’ means, even though you do not the same confidence in yourself, is an incredibly powerful incentive to forge ahead, with the result that you are more likely to achieve that which you set out to do. So bring on the empowering quotes.
There is also the power of words, in and of themselves. We all have an appetite for words of wisdom and have had this appetite since the genesis of time. My son, who studied Latin GCSE, came across aphorisms such as ‘Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare’ (Cicero: Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one) and more gems like it – all insights put into memorable words.
Sometimes the way these sayings are phrased contributes to their effectiveness – or at least to their memorability. For example, ‘If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit’, must surely be one of the most memorable sayings of modern times spoken by a lawyer (OJ Simpson’s). There are many ways to say something, but how it is said can make all the difference. The more upbeat a saying, for example, the more likely it is that it will be remembered. We are aspirational beings, in need of role models and leaders. The words spoken by our role models and our recognised leaders affect us deeply. We assume that they must be wiser than us and more accomplished than we are.
Here’s our pick of empowering quotes to help you take on the world.
‘One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.’
Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist
‘Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.’
Jimi Hendrix, musician
‘I stopped trying to be society’s definition of pretty a long time ago.’
KIRBY, singer
‘To start a successful business, you must start small and dream big.’
Aliko Dangote, businessman, Nigeria
‘Everything is possible. Impossible just takes a little longer.’
Wendy Ackerman, co-founder and an Executive Director of Pick ‘n Pay Stores, South Africa
‘Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.’
Chinua Achebe, novelist, Nigeria
‘I’ve learnt that if you face the challenges with positive energy, you are most likely to get better results.’
Nike Ogunlesi, entrepreneur, Nigeria
‘While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which charity will have become unnecessary.’
Chinua Achebe, novelist, Nigeria
‘All roads lead home in the end. You’ve got to keep that in mind always – in your work and in your life.’
Chiwetel Ejiofor, actor, UK/Nigeria
‘…failure is an opportunity to learn and do better next time. It’s part of the path to greatness, which was never meant to be smooth.’
Khanyi Dhlomo, TV host and entrepreneur, South Africa
‘At every African’s heart is an entrepreneurial spirit: we are survivors of struggle, malleable enough to embrace change and celebrate doing things differently.’
Tammy Frazer, Perfume creator, entrepreneur, South Africa
‘I am guided each day by these three questions: What are you fixing? What are you making? and Who are you helping?’ Juliana Rotich, technologist and social entrepreneur, Kenya
‘In the journey to success, tenacity of purpose is supreme.’
Aliko Dangote, businessman, Nigeria
Do you have a personal mantra that gives you the motivation you need to face the day? If so, share it!
