If you’re looking to improve in certain areas of your life, it’s important to really figure out what you want. This may sound like such an obvious thing to say but it’s really one of the fundamental steps towards setting goals for yourself. Check out these 14 motivational quotes about goal setting in order to help improve yourself.
“Sometimes you have to fail in order to win.” – Leslie Maxie
Sometimes you have to fail in order to win.
But do we want to live our life by a check-list? Wouldn’t we rather live our life around a couple of strong behaviors that will make us better at everything we do and would naturally incorporate elements of specific to-do’s
Small daily improvements eventually look like massive change over time. The opposite is true as well. Poor, seemingly small, decisions will create massive change.So, take stock now.
Don't Give Up
Sometimes you have to fail in order to win.
– Leslie Maxie
This quote from Olympian Leslie Maxie is a great quote to try to apply to your goal setting. What Leslie is talking about here is learning from your failures.
You need to identify the areas in which you’re struggling, and then target those areas. After all, how can you improve if you don’t know where to start?
“Whether our challenges are visible or not…” – Robert Paylor
Adversity is Universal
Whether our challenges are visible or not, the approach to overcoming adversity is universal. The skills I use to overcome quadriplegia can be used by all to optimally perform.
– Robert Paylor
When setting goals for yourself, you need to realize it will take commitment and dedication. Robert Paylor knows all about commitment and dedication.
In the 2017 Collegiate Rugby National Championship, Robert Paylor broke his neck and his life changed in an instant. Rob Paylor was told that he would never walk or move his hands again.
That didn’t stop him from trying though. After working at it every day, Robert Paylor gained the strength to walk again.
Robert set a goal for himself that many thought he’d never achieve…
“If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time” -Kevin Reilly
Keep Looking Up
If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.
– Kevin Reilly
A fantastic quote on setting goals; this really just points out the fact that you need to set your sights on something. Don’t be afraid to shoot for the stars.
This quote is something that Kevin Reilly tries to live by on a daily basis. Kevin Reilly played for the Philadelphia Eagles, and made the team by literally walking onto the field.
Kevin could’ve chosen to just stay home and maybe try his luck with another team, but instead he chose to follow his dreams.
Unfortunately, his career was cut short by a rare disease known as Desmoid Tumor which led to the amputation of his left arm, left shoulder, and the top four of his ribs on his left side.
These days, Kevin focuses much of his time on motivational speeches to help others get through hard times in their lives.
As long as you know about the downside, you don’t need to worry about the upside.
“You shouldn’t box yourself into a single life path.” – AK Ikwuakor
Don't Box Yourself In
You shouldn’t box yourself into a single life path.
-AK Ikwuakor
This goal setting quote is more about finding what you’re passionate about.
Sometimes this can be hard to accept, but it’s important to be honest with yourself before you can begin to work towards that new goal. Or maybe, you just need to diversify the type of work you’re doing.
Coach AK is a prime example of this. AK started as a top collegiate athlete and is now a coach, philanthropist, keynote speaker, and business owner.
With such an extensive resume, AK is a great example of someone who knows how to create success.
“Many times there is a price…” – Vince Papale
Put The Work In
Many times there is a price that needs to be paid in order for dreams to come true.
– Vince Papale
Vince Papale’s story of playing for the Eagles was the inspiration behind the film Invincible starring Mark Wahlberg. Papale became a wide receiver for the Eagles in 1976, making him the oldest rookie in the history of the NFL to play without college football experience.
In order to reach greater heights, many don’t realize the amount of sacrifice it takes. That is why this quote is particularly relevant to setting goals. Papale went on to make a name for himself, eventually becoming somewhat of a hometown hero.
“When I got there I felt like a gladiator…” – Edwin Moses
Be Prepared
When I got there I felt like I was a gladiator with a mission because I should have never been there in the first place, but I knew I was prepared.
– Edwin Moses
Edwin Moses is an extremely accomplished man. As an Olympic star, Edwin set world records for the 400 meter hurdle event which earned him two gold medals. Edwin knew that he really had to give it his all in order to compete among the best.
Edwin says “I should have never been there in the first place,” but oddly enough, it seems like that fact made him want those medals even more. He had a clear goal in mind, and by preparing in the way that he did, Moses ended up shattering records and winning medals.
Edwin Moses saw that he had an opportunity, and he did not want to squander that.
“The thing about plateaus…” – Margaret Hoelzer
Think about meeting your goals, not about winning over someone else.
Self Assessment
The thing about plateaus is that it can be hard to realize that you’re on one.
– Margaret Hoelzer
Olympic athlete Margaret Hoelzer has a distinguished career as a swimmer, setting several records and winning championships. It took years of improving her swimming times to get to this point, but that’s what it takes to push yourself to your limits.
Hoelzer talks about the concept of ‘plateauing,’ where you can’t seem to improve but you’re consistently getting the same results. For many, this can be a real problem when trying to set goals and be the best people we can be.
So if there’s one thing to learn from this, it’s that sometimes you need to realize you’re on that plateau before you can get off of it.
“People buy people, not products.” – Matthew S. Newman
Be Genuine
People buy people, not products.
– Matt Newman
Matthew Newman is a brain cancer survivor and financial advisor whose business philosophy is based in making deeper connections with clients. Nobody plans for something as catastrophic as brain cancer, but Matthew was able to remain positive and beat the illness.
As someone who has worked in the industry for decades, Newman knows that it is the organization itself that matters just as much as the product you’re selling. The line, “people buy people, not products,” is something that Matthew lives by. Many could learn from this, especially business leaders who are looking to improve the quality of life for their employees.
Make sure the people around you are taken care of, because they’ll take care of you, that is the main takeaway here.
How Can I Help Myself Further?
These quotes on goal setting may be helpful in terms of their motivational value. However, the real test is following through on your own personal goals and making positive changes in your life.
All of these athletes and other figures listed above are motivational speakers that are available for hire. Would you like to meet Vince Papale, for example, and have him share his story in person? Well, this can be arranged more easily than you’d think!
Contact Mollie Plotkin Group if you are interseted in any of the speakers listed above.
In competitive life, there are two kinds of people: those who are qualified, and those who try to steal from those who are qualified.
