33 Motivational Quotes to Help You Overcome Obstacles

Motivational quotes can push you to reach your goals and overcome obstacles. Words carry a lot of power and positive words have the potential of changing one’s mindset and pushing them to be better and do better. If you ever feel like you’re on the verge of failure, words of motivation become more important than ever to help you find the inspiration to keep going. 

Whether you’re working to get your degree, starting a business, trying to finish a project, or hoping to reach a goal, you will probably face a range of obstacles. When those obstacles come up, it’s important that you overcome them. These motivational quotes will help you do so and push you in the right direction.

For some motivational TED Talks that are as hilarious as they are inspiring, check them out here.

Motivational Quotes About Failure

1. “Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” – Oprah Winfrey

2. “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.” – J.K. Rowling

3. “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

4. “You can’t let your failures define you. You have to let your failures teach you.” – Barack Obama

5. “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Suzy Kassem

6. “Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really: Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, so go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success.” – Thomas J. Watson

7. “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison

8. “You should never regret anything in life. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it is experience.”  – Unknown

9. “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” – Helen Keller

10. “What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” – Oscar Wilde

Inspirational Quotes That Will Motivate You

11. “When life puts you in tough situations, don’t say ‘Why me?’ Just say ‘Try me!’” – Unknown

12. “We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough.” – Helen Keller

13. “Every time you are able to find humor in a difficult situation, you win.” – Unknown

14. “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain

15. “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar

16. “Don’t quit yet, the worst moments are usually followed by the most beautiful silver linings. You have to stay strong, remember to keep your head up and remain hopeful.” – Unknown

17. “The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” – Tom Bodett

18. “To be a champion, I think you have to see the big picture. It’s not about winning and losing; it’s about hard work every day and about thriving on a challenge. It is about embracing the pain that you’ll experience at the end of a race and not being afraid. I think people think too hard and get afraid of a certain challenge.” – Summer Sanders

Funny Motivational Quotes

19. “When something goes wrong in your life, just yell ‘Plot twist!’ and move on.” – Unknown

20. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison

21. “The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.” – Pirates of the Caribbean

22. “Whenever you feel like a failure, just remember that even Coca Cola only sold 25 bottles their first year.” – Unknown

23. “Failure isn’t the end of the road. It’s a big red flag saying to you ‘Wrong way. Turn around.’” – Oprah Winfrey

Motivational Quotes About Success

24. “Work until your rivals become idols.” – Drake

25. “Successful people are not gifted; they just work hard, then succeed on purpose.” – G.K. Nielson

26. “On my own I will just create and if it works, it works. And if it doesn’t, I’ll just create something else. I don’t have any limitations on what I think I could do or be.” – Oprah Winfrey

27. “Don’t limit your challenges. Challenge your limits.” – Unknown

28. “I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” – Marissa Mayer

29. “Don’t give up, don’t take anything personally, and don’t take no for an answer.” – Sophia Amoruso 

30. “If you believe it’ll work out, you’ll see opportunities. If you don’t believe it’ll work out, you’ll see obstacles.” – Wayne Dyer

31. “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.” – Sheryl Sandberg

32. “Spend a little more time trying to make something of yourself and a little less time trying to impress people.” – The Breakfast Club

23. “Never apologize for having high standards, people who really want to be in your life will rise to meet them.”  – Unknown