“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu
It is a simple straightforward quote and yet, it is so complicated. At first glance, it seems that Lao Tzu is trying to explain that great things start from humble beginnings. It starts with the first step you take towards your dream. Once you know your destination, you have a clear vision and objective, lift one foot in front and embark on your journey. Whooosh!
But is it that simple?
Never
Even when a baby takes his first step, it is never physical. It is entirely mental. The first step is always a decision taken on the basis of your mental strength, risk analysis, and determination to achieve your goal.
“Decision is the ultimate power.”- Tony Robbins
The reason that decisions have so much power is that they make us the author of our story. I have seen people feeling frustrated and depressed because either they don’t take their own decisions or they believe that they have lost control of their situation.
A decision to act. A decision to commit. A decision to take action and responsibility.
I had to make a tough decision once. It was between choosing a corporate life or staying at home and take care of my daughter. I took a decision of venturing on my own and it seems like a big responsibility but it also gives a sense of pride – I took a decision. If you are faced with the similar dilemma then these quotes will definitely help. “When making a tough business decision, this is my No. 1 piece of advice: Be true to yourself.”
“Sir, What is the secret of your success?” a reporter asked a bank president.
“Two words.”
“And, sir, what are they?”
“Good decisions.”
“And how do you make good decisions?”
“One word.”
“And sir, what is that?”
“Experience.”
“And how do you get Experience?”
“Two words.”
“And, sir, what are they?”
“Bad decisions.”
– Unknown author
“Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.”- Anthony Robbins
“I found every single successful person I’ve ever spoken to had a turning point. The turning point was when they made a clear, specific unequivocal decision that they were going to achieve success. Some people make that decision at 15 and some people make it at 50, and most people never make it at all.” – Brian Tracey
“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson
“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.” – Paulo Coelho
“Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.” —Keri Russell
“When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal. If you give up before your goal has been reached, you are a ‘quitter’. A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits.” – Napoleon Hill
“It doesn’t matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions.” —Jim Rohn
“Life is about choices. Some we regret, some we’re proud of. Some will haunt us forever. The message: we are what we chose to be.” —Graham Brown
“When you live in reaction, you give your power away. Then you get to experience what you gave your power to.”- N. Smith
“The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.”- Sun Tzu
“Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision, a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it.” – Gordon Graham
“Where there is no decision there is no life.”- JJ Dewey
“Choices are the hinges of destiny.” – Pythagoras
“When you cannot make up your mind which of two evenly balanced courses of action you should take – choose the bolder.” – William Joseph Slim
“The worst business decision you can make is no decision. The needs are not going to go away. Waiting is whats gotten us in the situation we’re in now.” – John Peace
Every decision we make has a reference point that can help in guiding you. It is imperative to look closely at reference points and follow your gut. And if you face the fear of failure, then read these quotes and move ahead.
Lots of love!
xoxo
Sometimes we can all go through life with tough decisions to make and tough obstacles to overcome. Its true though that a thousand mile journey starts with a single step. While it might be hard to take that step because you are scared of the unknown it is important to do to overcome hardships x
Love reading a good quote! Tony Robbins is one of my most favourite people and I’m finally getting to hear him speak next year – I cannot wait!!!
I just love reading motivational quotes like these! They are so helpful at times.
Love reading through the quotes! Those are great! For me, little decision can make life changes from Kerri Russel agreed the most! Sometimes we do get to forget small things and just see the big thing that can only make a change. Great inspiration!
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” This quote holds a special place for me, it’s part of what my husband used when he proposed to me, asking me to take the next step with him!!
I really enjoyed reading all of these quotes! My favorite is “Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.” —Keri Russell.
This is just the kind of thing I love to read at the start of the week! And this really resonates – decision is the ultimate power. Truth!
Those quotes are really powerful and inspiring. The one that resonates most with me is from K. Russel “Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.” Sometimes the fear of failing paralyze us and keep us from taking a decision that could lead to great result. I truly believe in the power of one, one step can lead to great results, one decision bad or right can change a life.
This is so motivational, loved to read it in the morning to start off my day with more energy. Indeed sometimes these are the smallest decisions which makes our lives completely different and successful as well.
These are really powerfull quotes. Especially the first one. I find myself scared to take the first step but doing it nevertheless!
I was in a similar situation too and chose to take care of my little ones and left my corporate job. Now I am happy with the decision I made. Great post.
Your post made my day! I always love a good quote and your post has so many to get inspired by! I will bookmark it for those tough days of my life when I need a dose of motivation! Thanks for sharing.
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To succeed is a decision, just like happiness is also a decision. I feel encouraged when I think that most successful people also made bad decisions, it means they kept trying and didn’t give up on themselves, so much to learn from those great minds!
Its true that life can be tough! I love your quotes and Tonny Robbins is one of my favourites.
Wow, This is really a beautiful post and perfect on my situation when I feel burn out I love to read a motivational quote and I’m so happy that you share this.
I like Lao Tzu’s many quoted including this quote. Every decision we make comes with risk and responsibility, and that’s the beauty of it. It has challenges that the nature knows we can beat.
This is truly inspiring! “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” This quote is my favorite.
I’m a big believer in the power of words. I see a few of my favorites on your list.
Wow this is a really cool post! Very inspiring keep them coming
These are some fantastic quotes! I think mental determination has a lot to do with it like you say although for some goals and decisions the physical is important too.
I love this quote” “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It is so true but sometimes when we are facing hardship that one step is very difficult to take that could lead us in the right direction.
Everything you do in life is about the initial decision to move forward. You have to decide to act before you can take that action. That choosing is so important.
These are all such great quotes! The first one is my favorite…It’s on the top of my blog site!!
Love these quotes!!
Straight-up, straight-up – my favorite “inspirational quote” is from the Bible – it’s Philippians 4:13 and it says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”….
I love all these quotes! I have so tough life so this quotes made me inspire all of this.
Hi
What a joy to be here.
This is indeed a wonderful piece you have created here about Inspirational Quotes, I like the quotes very much. Thanks for sharing with us.
Best regards.
Mounika.
Wow! These all are great quotes. I love this quote very much “Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever”. You have done a great job here, such a great post you shared with us.