Yo, Inspirational Quotes Actually Got Me Going
Inspirational Quotes to Get Moving, dude, they’re like that friend who keeps texting you “Get up already!” I’m chilling in my tiny Dayton, Ohio apartment, May 29, 2025, with a coffee mug that’s one chip away from being garbage. My cat’s sprawled on the couch, giving me this look like I’m failing at life. The air smells like burnt toast ‘cause I screwed up breakfast again—classic me. I used to think motivational quotes were for, like, people who buy those “Believe in Yourself” posters at Target, but some of these famous quotes have legit pushed me to take action. I’m not out here running a marathon, but I’m trying, okay?
Like, this morning, I was scrolling X on my phone, battery at 3% ‘cause I lost my charger in the couch cushions again. There’s this ratty sticky note on my fridge that says “Move” in my terrible handwriting, and it’s got ketchup smudges from last night’s fries.
These inspirational quotes to get moving? They’re like a slap in the face when I’m stuck in my own head, you know?
Why These Quotes Actually Work (Sometimes)
So, why do motivational quotes even do anything? I used to roll my eyes at ‘em, thinking they’re for gym bros or people with vision boards. But, real talk, a good quote is like your buddy who calls you out without making you feel like trash. Last winter, I was at this grungy coffee shop in Columbus, sipping a coffee that tasted like burnt cardboard, freaking out about my dead-end retail job. I saw this quote by Walt Disney on X: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
I swear, it was like Walt was sitting there, judging my sad coffee. So I grabbed my laptop—spilled a bit of coffee on it, oops—and started applying for freelance gigs right there. Was it perfect? Nah, my cover letter had typos. But it was something. That’s what inspirational quotes to get moving do—they make you take that first shaky step.
My Top 5 Quotes That Lit a Fire Under Me
Here’s my totally random list of famous quotes that got me to take action. These are the ones that stick with me like a bad pop song.
- “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu
This hit me last summer by the Dayton riverfront. The air smelled like wet grass and hot dogs from a food truck. I was moping, feeling like my life was going nowhere. I remembered this quote, sat on a bench, and started typing a job app on my phone. typos and all. Got a callback, though! - “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” — Zig Ziglar
This one’s my vibe when I’m overthinking. I started a podcast last month—my first episode was me rambling about my cat, and the mic cut out halfway. But I kept going, and now I’ve got, like, 15 listeners. Progress? - “Do one thing every day that scares you.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Yo, Eleanor, chill. I tried this and signed up for a poetry slam. I stuttered through my poem and forgot half the lines, but people clapped anyway. I didn’t die, so that’s a win. - “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb
I muttered this to myself when I started biking to work. Fell off once, scraped my elbow like a kid. Now I’m saving gas money and feeling kinda smug about it. - “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky
I wrote this on a napkin after chickening out on asking for a raise. Finally did it last week—boss said “maybe,” but I didn’t melt into a puddle, so I’ll take it.
How I Totally Screwed Up These Quotes
I’m no life coach, alright? I’ve botched this inspirational quotes thing hard. Like, I got way too hyped on that Steve Jobs quote: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.” I was quoting it to everyone—my coworkers, my neighbor, even my cat (she didn’t care). I got so inspired I signed up for a coding class, a yoga workshop, and a cooking course in one week. Guess what? I quit all of ‘em after I accidentally set off the smoke alarm trying to make curry.
What I learned? Don’t go overboard with motivational quotes. Pick one, focus, and actually do something. Now I stick one quote on my fridge—like, right now, it’s “Begin anywhere” by John Cage. It’s got coffee stains, but it keeps me from spiraling.
More Quotes to Get You Moving
I can’t help myself, so here’s a few more famous quotes that have pushed me to take action when I’d rather eat chips and binge Netflix:
- “Action is the foundational key to all success.” — Pablo Picasso
- “The future depends on what you do today.” — Mahatma Gandhi
- “Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” — Napoleon Hill
- “What you do speaks so loud I can’t hear what you say.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Keep going, no matter how slow.” — Confucius (I might’ve messed that one up, oops)
These are like little zaps to the brain. I keep ‘em in my Notes app, and when I’m procrastinating (like now, ignoring my laundry), I read one and go, “Ugh, fine, I’ll do something.”
Tips to Make These Quotes Work (From a Guy Who’s Messed Up)
Here’s my not-so-great advice, based on my many screw-ups:
- Stick a quote somewhere annoying. I’ve got “Move” on my fridge, and it bugs me every time I grab a snack. Works, though.
- Do one tiny thing. Read a quote like “Go For It” and, like, send one email or put on shoes. Baby steps, yo.
- Don’t quote-spam. I learned this after annoying my friends with too many quotes. One or two, max.
- Yell it if you gotta. I shouted “I got this!” in my car once. Felt like a weirdo, but it got me to a job interview.
Wrapping This Up (Like a Half-Eaten Burrito)
So, yeah, inspirational quotes to get moving aren’t just for cheesy posters—they’re like little nudges that can actually make you do stuff. I’m still a hot mess, sitting in Dayton with a pile of dishes and a cat who’s probably plotting against me. But these quotes? They’ve pushed me to try things, crash and burn, and keep going. Like, I wrote this blog post, didn’t I? That’s something, right?
Outbound Links :
- Goodreads Quotes for more motivational quotes.
- Inc.’s Quote List for extra vibes.
