Many career experts and industry leaders have written about the benefits of writing aspirations on Post-it notes and keeping inspirational quotes close to your workspace. So you can only imagine the awesomeness that occurs when you combine the two ideas and write motivational career mantras on Post-its—it’s enough to keep you going no matter what your workday throws at you.
We know that it’s hard (and time-consuming) to find the career mantra that perfectly describes where you are at your job or career right now. So to help you out, we compiled 32 mantras you can scribble on a sticky note that’ll keep you motivated no matter what.
Another huge plus: All 32 of these mantras are under 140 characters, so (hint, hint) you can spread the wisdom on Twitter, too!
If You’re Looking for Motivation
Feel like you’ve been staring at your computer screen for hours and now your eyes are glazing over? These quotes will give you that little extra push to finish your day strong.
Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.
Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.
You simply have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Put blinders on and plow right ahead.
Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.
What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.
If You’re Looking to Be a Better Leader
Let’s be real here: Managing people is hard. Really hard. The next time you find yourself dealing with a particularly challenging employee, one of these mantras can remind you what’s important.
Whoever is happy will make others happy too.
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.
Good leaders need a positive agenda, not just an agenda of dealing with crisis.
Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.
If You’re Going Through a Rough Time at Work
You’re bound to hit a rough patch at work sometimes, whether it’s because of a difficult upcoming deadline or a boss who’s making you miserable. These quotes will help you through.
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
Either I will find a way, or I will make one.
Do not wait to strike til the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.
If You’re Dealing With Unpleasant People
Demanding clients, evil bosses, rude co-workers, oh my! Keep your cool no matter what people throw your way.
When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion.
Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.
Do not forget small kindnesses and do not remember small faults.
We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates.
If You’re Looking for Direction
It’s okay to feel a little aimless every so often over the course of your career. Luckily, it doesn’t take much to get back on track and re-focus.
If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.
Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back.
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.
It is never too late to be what you might have been.
The more you do stuff, the better you get at dealing with how you still fail at it a lot of the time.
If You Just Want Something Uplifting
Looking for an inspiring quote just because? You don’t need a reason to want to feel uplifted and enlightened.
No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.
The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.
Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.
The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.
If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.
Bonus: From Our Readers
I sent a couple of tweets out asking readers of The Daily Muse for their favorite career quotes and mantras, and here’s what they had to say.
You are the entrepreneur of your career, even if you are employed by others.
Give voice to the voiceless.
Don’t be late. Don’t be late. Don’t be late.
What are some of your favorite career mantras? Let me know on Twitter!