Ever feel like you're pushing a boulder uphill only for it to roll back down, again and again? You're definitely not alone in that feeling. We all face moments when quitting seems like the easiest, most inviting option. But what if the real magic, the kind that transforms lives, lies in simply not giving up?
Here at GoodExistence.com, we know a thing or two about tough climbs. Our founder, Stephen Montagne, has been through his own battles – overcoming addictive habits like gaming and binge eating, losing over 110 pounds, and completely reshaping his life. None of it happened overnight. It took persistence. It took grit. These aren't just buzzwords; they're the bedrock of meaningful change.
The Unseen Superpower: Why Grit Gets You There
Think about it. Every significant achievement, big or small, usually has a story of perseverance behind it. When Stephen decided to tackle his health, it wasn't a straight line to success. There were days he wanted to give in to old cravings or skip a workout. But that inner resolve, that grit, kept him moving forward. He learned that consistency, even in small doses, beats sporadic bursts of intense effort every single time.
Persistence is about showing up when you don't feel like it. Grit is about having the passion and perseverance to stick with your long-term goals, even through failures and setbacks. It’s the quiet strength that says "I can do this" when everything else screams "you can't."
Words to Live By: 25 Quotes to Keep You Going
Sometimes, when our own motivation wanes, the wisdom of others can light a fire under us. These quotes are reminders that the struggle is part of the journey and that resilience is built, not born.
- "It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer." – Albert Einstein
- "Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other." – Walter Elliot
- "Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals." – Angela Duckworth
- "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." – Winston Churchill
- "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." – Michael Jordan
- "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will." – Vince Lombardi
- "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
- "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." – Thomas A. Edison
- "Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time." – Marabel Morgan
- "A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." – Jim Watkins
- "Energy and persistence conquer all things." – Benjamin Franklin
- "Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger." – Dale Carnegie
- "The path to success is to take massive, determined action." – Tony Robbins
- "Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th." – Julie Andrews
- "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated." – Maya Angelou
- "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." – Confucius
- "Fall seven times, stand up eight." – Japanese Proverb
- "Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries." – James A. Michener
- "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." – John Quincy Adams
- "The key to success is action, and the essential in action is perseverance." – Sun Yat-sen
- "Let me tell you the secret that has led to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity." – Louis Pasteur
- "To persist with a goal, you must treasure the dream more than you dislike the pain." – Orrin Woodward
- "Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure." – Benjamin Disraeli
- "Never, never, never give up." – Winston Churchill
- "With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable." – Thomas Fowell Buxton
More Than Just Words: Making Persistence Your Reality
Reading inspiring quotes is one thing. Living them is another. So how do you actually build that persistence muscle?
- Break It Down: Big goals can feel overwhelming. When Stephen aimed to lose over 100 pounds, he didn't focus on the total number. He focused on the next healthy meal, the next workout, the next pound. Break your ambitions into tiny, manageable steps. What’s one small thing you can do today?
- Celebrate Small Wins: This is huge. Stephen found that acknowledging small victories – like resisting a craving or completing a focused work session – built momentum. It’s like giving yourself a high-five. It reinforces positive behavior and makes the journey more enjoyable. Did you choose water over soda? Celebrate it. Did you write for 25 minutes without distraction? Awesome.
- Embrace Imperfection: You will stumble. You will have off days. That’s okay. It's part of being human. The key is not to let a slip-up become a slide. Stephen didn't let one unhealthy meal derail his entire weight loss journey. He acknowledged it, learned from it, and got back on track with the next meal.
- Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome: When Stephen was building GoodExistence.com, or developing his productive routine of short 2-4 hour deep work bursts, he focused on showing up and doing the work consistently. The results came from that daily dedication. Fall in love with the process of becoming, and the results will follow.
- Practice Daily Gratitude: It might sound unrelated, but gratitude shifts your perspective. When you focus on what you have and what’s going well, it fuels your spirit. Stephen makes daily gratitude a cornerstone of his routine. It helps him see progress and stay positive, even when things are challenging.
Finding Strength in Something Bigger
For many, including Stephen, faith provides a deep well of strength and purpose. His journey of strengthening his Christian Orthodox faith gave him an anchor during tough times. Knowing you're part of something bigger than yourself, having a purpose that transcends daily struggles, can provide incredible motivation to persevere.
When you connect your efforts to a deeper meaning – whether it's your faith, your family, your desire to help others, or a core personal value – your resolve strengthens. It’s easier to push through discomfort when you know why you're doing it. This "why" becomes your North Star, guiding you when the path gets dark.
Your Next Step: Don't Just Read, Act
These quotes and ideas are here to inspire you, but true change comes from action. Don't just nod along. Pick one quote that resonates with you. Write it down. Put it somewhere you'll see it every day.
Then, ask yourself: What’s one small area in my life where I can apply a little more persistence today? Maybe it’s sticking to a new habit for one more day, making that call you’ve been dreading, or spending just 15 minutes on a project you’ve been avoiding.
You have the strength within you. It might be buried under doubt or fatigue, but it's there. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how your persistence reshapes your world.
What’s one small step you’ll take today to practice grit?
