Truly Motivational Quotes for Your Bullet Journal

Speech has power! It can change the way we think and act in a matter of seconds. And in these wild times, it’s so easy to think negatively, to act numbly as if we were on autopilot. That’s why Casey and I have earnestly compiled a refined list of quotes, ones that remind you why you’re working hard and what’s at stake. They’ll surely strengthen any bullet journal endeavor!

Do So-called Inspirational Quotes Even Work?

You bet they do! Like a spark to fuel, the right words at the right time can ignite you to action. “The power of words is that they can inspire, motivate, and create change.” Oprah Winfrey said those winsome words. I can vouch for that truth.

I’m a passionate hockey player (without the size, strength, skill, or talent). To even remotely excel against my beer league peers, I REALLY have to put in the work. Except that, for the longest time, I struggled to. The reason?

My mindset. I relied on my willpower, which wasn’t strong once external factors kicked in. Then I stumbled across a quote at the right time:

Self-discipline is a function of choice, irregardless of the environment.

Coach Dan Garner, HockeyTraining.com

Lame sauce, right? As cheesy as this example is, I swear, this ONE quote fired me up. And I’ve been holding to a consistent workout regime ever since I heard it. My point is that words DO inspire. You just have to find the ones that inspire you.

Quotes You NEED To Put On a BuJo Page

The following quotes may be just what you need to succeed because human nature doesn’t change. You could dedicate a whole page in your bullet journal to such inspirational thoughts, or piece them discreetly into other spread ideas. Alrighty, here they are – categorized, cataloged neatly. Just like my childhood rock collection and Star Wars cards.

Concerning Life

It’s not a mistake until you can’t fix it. – Passed down from every master carpenter

Forget the mistake. Remember the lesson. – Old proverb

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal. – Albert Einstein

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses. – Henry Ford

If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. – Old proverb

Turn your wounds into wisdom. – Oprah Winfrey

Great things never came from comfort zones. – Neil Strauss

Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change. – Tony Robbins

Nothing prevents happiness like the memory of happiness. – Andre Gide, about how nostalgia may actually be holding you back

Don’t worry about the unkind things others say about you. Just live your life in a way that no one will believe them. – Anonymous

Don’t let pain define you, let it refine you. – Tim Fargo

Stay focused on your purpose, not your pain. – Ranal Currie

Concerning Relationships

Love is a choice you make from moment to moment. – Greg Anderson

Love is not something you feel. It’s something you do. – David Wilcox

Don’t try to be something to everyone. Be everything to someone. – Anonymous

Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. – Swedish proverb

Concerning Attitude

The severest form of blindness is that of the mind. – Anonymous, based on the need to be humble

If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you. – Zig Ziglar

You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind. – Joyce Meyer

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. – Theodore Roosevelt

Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you. – Walt Whitman

It is never too late to be what you might have been. – George Eliot

I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. – Jewish proverb

A great man is always willing to be little. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s OK to be wrong; it’s unforgivable to stay wrong. – Martin Zweig

Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. – John Wooden

Concerning Work Ethic

I’m not a product of my circumstances. I’m a product of my decisions. – Stephen Covey

A winner is just a loser who tried one more time. – George M. Moore Jr.

If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit. – Banksy

Doors will always open for those who dare to knock. – Tony Gaskins

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. – Vidal Sassoon

If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? – John Wooden

Don’t watch the clock. Do what it does. Keep going! – Sam Levenson

No grit, no pearl. – Anonymous

Great Examples of Bullet Journal Quote Pages

It’s perfectly practical to write quotes in your bullet journal without all-out artistry. But many seasoned BuJo’ers love to adorn the quotes they find, even dedicating entire pages to them. We thought you’d enjoy the creative and stylish works of such artists from around the web:

Powerful, With a Soft & Simple Touch

A bit of washi tape and simple doodles really embolden this coherent spread. While this BuJo quote page looks splendid, it’s something we all can do – and in little time. Notice how this style fits shorter quotes better. Credit: @kksdoodles

Quote of the Week

Jenn used tasteful calligraphy to turn this cute quote into a weekly reminder. Everything – the words, the color palette, the symmetry – it all screams positivity! Credit: @secondstarbujo

Extra Meaningful

This bullet journal quote page from Jamie caught our eye right away. She cleverly imbued words of wisdom into a relevant scene. Not only does this project add an extra layer of meaning to the quote itself, but it also impresses the saying into memory. Credit: @jamiesjournaling