Not motivated by motivational quotes? No worries, you’re not alone.
Motivational quotes: they’re everywhere!
Motivational quotes are everywhere. They’re on our social media feeds, they’re hung up in offices, and they’re even printed on coffee mugs. And while there’s nothing wrong with a little inspiration now and then, there’s a problem with relying on motivational quotes to get us through tough times.
In today’s social media-driven world, it’s easy to find yourself bombarded with them! And yes, there’s a downside to these quotes that is often overlooked.
Motivational quotes can make you feel like you’re falling short
Here’s the problem: these quotes often make us feel like we’re not doing enough or that we’re not good enough. They make us compare ourselves to other people and feel like we’re falling short. And they usually do not show a complete picture, even of the person who originally made the quote.
Not motivated by motivational quotes and their supposedly easy answers
What’s more, motivational quotes can be superficial and trite, offering supposedly easy answers to complex problems. In life, there are not always easy answers or simple solutions. Life can be difficult. We all face challenges and obstacles, and sometimes it can feel like we’re searching for answers that are just out of reach. It’s easy to get discouraged, especially when it seems like everyone around us has life figured out. But the truth is that even the most successful people have moments of doubt and confusion.
You don’t see other peoples’ behind-the-scenes
Another reason you might be not motivated by motivational quotes is that they can create unrealistic expectations. We see someone else’s success and assume that we should be able to achieve the same results with the same level of effort – but for a start, we can’t always see what effort that person has put in behind the scenes. Did they work 14-hour days? Miss all their kid’s birthdays? Sacrifice their health and well-being? There’s a lot you don’t see in other people’s lives.
Everyone’s journey is different. That’s how it’s meant to be.
It’s also a reality is that everyone’s journey is different. What works for one person may not work for another. Additionally, motivational quotes can give the false impression that success is always easy. Again, this sets us up for disappointment and frustration when we encounter setbacks.
It’s important to remember that success is never guaranteed, no matter how hard we work or how positive our attitude is. Motivational quotes can be inspiring, but we should be careful not to let them create these unrealistic expectations.
What to do instead? Go deeper, plan more, and reach out for help
So instead of reaching for a motivational quote, try reaching for something a little deeper. Try reaching for your own strength, resilience, and determination. Try to plan out your next steps, or get advice from someone who has walked in your shoes. Whether you need practical help or just a sympathetic ear, those are the things that will really help you through tough times.
Let’s take a look at a few motivational quotes and pick them to pieces.
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” The assumption here is that this will help us conquer our fear and contribute to personal growth and happiness.
However, some people may find it challenging to follow this advice because they cannot seem to find anything that scares them anymore. They have made so many strides in their personal growth that they no longer get scared of anything.
And not only that. Doing one thing every day that scares you could imply that you are not comfortable in your own skin. Isn’t there something to be said for just enjoying the present? Do we have to be constantly striving for change? Isn’t it enough, sometimes, to just do the mundane things of paying bills, or making the same chocolate chip cookies you know your kids enjoy?
“Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” – Vince Lombardi
Here’s another motivational quote we’re going to shred: Vince Lombardi said, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” We would like to challenge that, because to me, it seems like an overly-simplistic way of looking at things. The truth is, there are times when it makes sense to quit and there are times when it doesn’t. The key is to know when to keep going and when to walk away, and to understand that quitting at one thing may even mean you can win at another.
And wait…who ACTUALLY said it?!
Finally, motivational quotes are often misattributed. We like this saying: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” Those are truly words to live by! However, they are generally attributed to Winston Churchill. The reality? According to Quote Investigator, it looks like it may have been part of an advertising campaign in the 1930s, by Budweiser beer. Raise a glass to that!
You’ve probably seen the meme, supposedly of Abraham Lincoln, warning us not to trust everything we read on the internet. That pretty much sums it up.