Find Your New Year Motivation: Inspiring Words to Kickstart the Year
Let’s face it—another year has rolled around, and with it comes resolutions, dreams, and that slightly panicked feeling wondering where the last 12 months went. If you’re searching for New Year motivation that feels like a mix of rocket fuel and a warm hug, look no further. These quotes will inspire your journey, whether you’re plotting empire takeovers or simply trying to find a clean pair of socks every morning. Let’s dive into words of wisdom from great minds who didn’t just dream big—they went for it, hard.
Steve Jobs: Loving What You Do
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs
Let’s talk about the ultimate tech visionary, Steven Paul Jobs. Yes, Wikipedia confirms he was the brains behind everyone’s favorite shiny gadgets at Apple. Net worth? Oh, just a casual $7 billion back in 2011, according to Forbes.
The takeaway is simple yet profound: loving what you do matters more than anything else when it comes to achieving greatness. It’s like pizza—you can’t fake eating bad pizza and loving it. Similarly, you can’t fake passion for what you do daily. Use this New Year as an opportunity to reflect on whether your current gig sparks joy—or sparks migraine headaches.
Pro Tip for Finding Your Passion
If you’re unsure how to “love what you do,” experiment with your hobbies. Often, the key to passion is hiding under something you’re already excited about. Test the waters, be fearless, and pivot if needed. Need design tools for your venture? Check out Laughingbird Software to bring your ideas to life.
Russell Simmons: Pay It Forward
“If you wake up deciding what you want to give versus what you’re going to get, you become a more successful person. In other words, if you want to make money, you have to help someone else make money.” — Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons, you genius! The co-founder of Def Jam Recordings and mogul extraordinaire reminds us that success is a team sport. According to Wikipedia, his net worth clocked in at $340 million in 2011. Let’s be real—helping someone else score a win feels amazing, like hitting the snooze button guilt-free.
How This Applies to Your Life
Ask yourself, “How can I add value?” Whether it’s mentoring someone at work, championing a small business, or just sharing tips that helped you succeed, giving creates a ripple effect of positivity. Bonus? You might get something back in return—like that one friend buying you coffee for helping figure out their LinkedIn bio.
Marissa Mayer: Take the Risk
“If you can push through that feeling of being scared, that feeling of taking a risk, really amazing things can happen.” — Marissa Mayer
Marissa Mayer, the former Yahoo! CEO and co-founder of Lumi Labs, knows a thing or two about risk. Wikipedia tells us she’s worth a cool $620 million as of 2019. Could you imagine if she’d stayed comfy instead of diving into high-stakes leadership roles?
Why Risks Pay Off
Risks might feel like standing on a cliff with a bungee cord that looks… let’s say “iffy.” But how else will you soar? The most successful people embrace uncertainty because they know rewards often lurk beyond their fear. So channel your inner Marissa Mayer and leap into that big idea—or at least get off the procrastination couch.
Tim Ferriss: Stop Waiting for Perfect
“The stars will never align, and the traffic lights of life will never all be green at the same time. Conditions are never perfect. If it’s important to you and you want to do it ‘eventually,’ just do it and correct course along the way.” — Tim Ferriss
I want to make Tim Ferriss my personal life coach. This entrepreneur and author nailed it: waiting for all the lights to be green is a one-way ticket to Never-Do-It Land. According to his Wikipedia, Ferriss built his empire with this no-nonsense approach, so maybe it’s time we borrow a page from his book.
Stop Overthinking
Stop using mindsets like “I’ll start when X happens.” Half the time, “X” never comes. Be like Tim: Start that blog, launch that side hustle, or sign up for that half-marathon (yikes) before “someday” turns into “oops, too late.”
Madam C.J. Walker: Be Your Own Opportunity
“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.”
A trailblazer before the word was cool, Madam C.J. Walker was the first female self-made millionaire in America, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Oh, and she did this as an African-American woman in the early 1900s, facing every obstacle possible. Yes, she’s officially cooler than all of us.
Making Moves
Walker’s story teaches us the power of persistence. Don’t sit back waiting for life to shove success into your lap because, heads up, it probably won’t. Be bold. Network. Dive into opportunities even when they seem out of reach. Here’s the kicker: the more action you take, the closer you’ll get to that big break.
FAQs About New Year Motivation
How can I stay motivated throughout the year?
Keep setting small, achievable goals that build up to your larger dreams. Celebrate wins, no matter how tiny, and surround yourself with supportive, like-minded people.
What’s a good way to stop procrastinating?
Breaking tasks into bite-sized steps works wonders. Easier yet? Promise yourself a reward—a Netflix binge or some chocolate—if you achieve a milestone. Bribery works on kids and grownups alike.
Do motivational quotes actually help?
Absolutely! They’re like quick pep talks for your brain. Just reading the words of successful people can ignite action. Bookmark this list for mid-year slumps!
If you’re looking for more tools to bring your creativity to life this New Year, check out Laughingbird Software. Let’s make 2024 legendary!