Ever feel like you're climbing a mountain with no end in sight? That feeling of wanting to just stop. I know it well. We all do. Life throws curveballs. Sometimes just getting through the day feels like a huge task. But deep down there's a spark. A resilience that keeps us pushing forward. That's determination. That's grit.
It's easy to lose sight of that spark when things get tough. I’ve been there stuck in cycles that felt impossible to break. Maybe you’re there right now facing your own set of challenges. You might be trying to overcome an old habit build a new one or simply find the strength to keep going. You are not alone.
Here at GoodExistence.com our founder Stephen Montagne knows a thing or two about needing determination. He navigated the tough paths of overcoming gaming binge eating and an unhealthy drinking habit. He transformed his life losing over 110 pounds and finding a vibrant healthy balance. It wasn't magic. It was grit. It was showing up day after day especially on the hard days. He built a productive routine focused on short bursts of deep work. He celebrated every small victory. He leaned on daily gratitude. His journey also involved strengthening his Christian Orthodox faith. He found immense purpose and strength in his relationship with God. These experiences aren't just stories. They're proof that with determination real change is possible.
More Than Just Words
Words have power. The right words at the right time can feel like a lifeline. They can shift your perspective. They can remind you of your own strength. Quotes about determination and grit are more than just nice sayings. They are condensed wisdom from people who have faced their own battles and emerged stronger. They can be anchors in a storm. They can be the gentle nudge you need to take that next step.
When Stephen was working to build healthier habits replacing hours of gaming with productive tasks or choosing a healthy meal over a binge he often turned to principles that echoed the sentiment of such quotes. It was about that inner resolve the decision to try again even after a setback.
30 Sparks to Ignite Your Inner Fire
Sometimes all we need is a reminder. A few powerful words can reignite that inner fire. Here are 30 quotes about determination and grit. I hope they help you as much as they’ve helped us.
- "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." – Jimmy Johnson
- "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." – Confucius
- "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." – Thomas A. Edison
- "Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals." – Angela Duckworth
- "Fall seven times stand up eight." – Japanese Proverb
- "I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship." – Louisa May Alcott
- "Success is not final failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." – Winston S. Churchill
- "You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." – Margaret Thatcher
- "Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other." – Walter Elliot
- "The harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph." – Thomas Paine
- "A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat determination and hard work." – Colin Powell
- "What stands in the way becomes the way." – Marcus Aurelius
- "Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going." – Sam Levenson
- "It’s not that I’m so smart it’s just that I stay with problems longer." – Albert Einstein
- "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths." – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." – Eleanor Roosevelt
- "We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough." – Helen Keller
- "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." – Friedrich Nietzsche (This one reminds me of how Stephen found purpose through his faith giving him a strong 'why'.)
- "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." – Dale Carnegie
- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot
- "A river cuts through rock not because of its power but because of its persistence." – Jim Watkins
- "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." – Franklin D. Roosevelt
- "Difficulties mastered are opportunities won." – Winston Churchill
- "Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." – Robert Collier (This is so true for weight loss or breaking any habit. Small consistent steps.)
- "To conquer frustration one must remain intensely focused on the outcome not the obstacles." – T.F. Hodge
- "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow'." – Mary Anne Radmacher
- "If you are going through hell keep going." – Winston S. Churchill
- "Grit is sticking with your future day in day out not just for the week not just for the month but for years." – Angela Duckworth
- "Never give up for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." – Harriet Beecher Stowe
- "The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it." – C.C. Scott
Making Grit Your Go To
Reading these quotes is one thing. Living them is another. How can you actually use these words to fuel your own journey? It’s about making determination a habit not just an occasional burst of inspiration.
Think about Stephen’s approach to productivity. Short bursts of deep work. That takes discipline. It takes a decision each day to focus. Similarly when he was losing weight it wasn’t about one grand gesture. It was about the daily choice to eat well to move his body. Each choice reinforced his determination.
Here’s how you can start:
- Pick One: Choose a quote from the list that really speaks to you right now. What are you facing? Which words offer comfort or a challenge?
- Write It Down: Put it on a sticky note. Make it your phone background. Say it out loud. Keep it visible.
- Connect It to Action: What’s one small thing you can do today that aligns with that quote? If it's about perseverance maybe it’s sticking to your plan for one more meal. Maybe it's working on that project for just 15 minutes even if you don't feel like it.
- Celebrate Small Wins: When you take that small step acknowledge it. Stephen always emphasizes how celebrating small wins was key to his transformation. It builds momentum. It proves to yourself you can do it. Each small win is a testament to your growing grit.
Your Journey Your Strength
Everyone’s path is different. Your challenges are unique to you. Your sources of strength will also be unique. For Stephen his Christian Orthodox faith became a bedrock. It provided purpose a deeper reason to persevere when things were incredibly tough. Finding that anchor whether it’s faith family a personal mission or simply the desire for a better life is crucial.
Determination isn’t about being emotionless or fearless. It’s about feeling the fear the doubt the exhaustion and choosing to move forward anyway. It’s about being kind to yourself when you stumble and finding the courage to get back up. That’s real strength. That’s grit.
These quotes are sparks. The real fire the enduring flame of determination is already within you. Sometimes it just needs a little fanning.
What’s one quote that resonated with you today? And more importantly what’s one small determined step you can take right now? You’ve got this.
