If you’re here for self development, you’re in the right place. Whether it’s been a hard day at work, or your day is just getting started, here’s 5 Stoic quotes to get your day moving in a better direction. I always need constant reminders to keep that positive momentum going, so I hope these quotes can be that kickstart for you too. Let’s get right into it:
1. “We can not live better than in seeking to become better” – Socrates
It is not about perfection, it’s about constant and consistent progress. By making a genuine effort at self development, I don’t think there’s a more noble way to live. Be better. Do better. But be patient with yourself too.
2. “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult” – Seneca
Learning to take calculated risks is such an important skill to learn. This has been a difficult one for me to learn, but taking a leap of faith has always paid off. You can’t expect your life to change if you don’t change anything in your life. Learn to make genuine efforts at your goals, and you’ll find opportunity opens in ways you would have never expected. But you have to be willing to take the risks to have any chance at getting the rewards.
3. “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials” – Seneca
Think of a movie where the main character never encounters conflict, never goes through hardship, or never needs to pull all their will to get back up again after getting knocked down. You will always be the main character in your story. Growth doesn’t come from an easy life, but from the satisfaction of overcoming the obstacles that come your way.
4. “If you want to be a writer, write” – Epictetus
I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but thinking about what you want to do doesn’t get you any progress. Be content with being bad at something new in the beginning, but just make sure you start. No better way to improve than by just doing the exact thing you want to get better at. You’ll get better with time and practice, I promise.
5. “What we do now echoes in eternity” – Marcus Aurelius
At first, it’s a scary thought to know that you’re responsible for yourself and your future. Eventually you’ll find that it’s actually quite a comforting thought. When you finally realize it’s up to you (and you alone) to make the most of your life, you’ll start to change your actions. What you deliberately choose to do will affect the trajectory of your life, and the impact you make on others. Do your best to do the right thing, because you need to realize that you have a very real impact on the world around you.
Conclusion: A Nudge In The Right Direction
Just remember, self improvement doesn’t have to be a difficult process. It’s about making the small changes everyday that add up over time. Even if you start by just reading some quotes that make you feel better, that’s a step in the right direction. Don’t shoulder too much responsibility, but also start testing your limits. Stop selling yourself short, and you’ll find that you’re able to accomplish a lot more than you usually expect of yourself.