47 Top Achievement Quotes to Inspire Your Daily Grind

Have you experienced the feeling of 'being stuck'? Like, you're working hard, but you're not moving forward fast enough? Then this is the place for you, as we break down 47 top achievement quotes from thinkers and successful people who might have had similar issues.

Continue reading to find more inspirational quotes from authors like James Clear, Angela Duckworth, Cal Newport, Malala Yousafzai, and others. Top-tier success book summaries, like 'Deep Work' and 'Atomic Habits,' are available in the Headway app, so you can start working toward your first achievements!

Best achievement quotes to remember

1. "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." – Winston Churchill

2. "You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them." – Michael Jordan

3. "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." – Henry Ford

4. "Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment." – Oprah Winfrey

5. "I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance." – Steve Jobs

What are the top 10 achievement quotes that motivate success?

It's almost impossible to succeed overnight, and these motivational quotes show that success equals hard work, habits, and goals. But in the long run, it's worth it!

1. 6"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." – Benjamin Franklin

Your first achievements can always be your last. Why? Because it's crucial to continue your self-growth daily, even with small effort. For a smoother process, use self-improvement apps — they will help you be more consistent.

1. 7"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." – Albert Einstein

Success is a nice reward for all your hard work, but it's nothing without the actual value behind your work.

1. 8"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand..." – Vince Lombardi

Yes, you must put your greatest efforts into succeeding and be fully dedicated to your goal. If not, then what's the point?

1. 9"Success isn't about how much money you make. It's about the difference you make in people's lives." – Michelle Obama

Always put people first because, without them, you'd be unable to succeed.

1. 10"Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal." – Earl Nightingale

Success doesn't usually happen overnight, but even if it does, it may take a while to realize it. 

1. 11"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." – Henry David Thoreau

Again, don't make it your primary goal to succeed — it'll catch up, but remember what matters.

1. 12"The path to success is to take massive, determined action." – Tony Robbins

It's about choices, and sometimes, they're hard or even risky. But what if they're calculated and the result of your hard work? Then, the reward will be good.

1. 13"The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity." – Ayn Rand

What can you do when you're given new opportunities? Use them to the fullest — maybe it's that one last step you need to make a change.

1. 14"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." – Napoleon Hill

Dream big, work hard, visualize your dreams — you can do it all.

1. 15"Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations." - James Clear, 'Atomic Habits'

No one is born with the talent of being successful — it's all about consistency. Ideas and insights from the 'Atomic Habits' summary can help you make new habits starting today.

Best achievement quotes about perseverance and grit

These thematic quotes on the power of perseverance and grit are needed when the journey to success gets rough. Remember that true achievements don't come easily.

1. 16"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." – Zig Ziglar

You may lack a certain skill, but ultimately, it's all about effort and actions.

1. 17"Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." – John Wooden

Don't compare yourself to others — compare yourself to the person you were yesterday.

1. 18"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." – Confucius

Consistency and small step-by-step actions are the key to success.

1. 19"The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What could be better than crossing a finish line? You've made it, now — wait.

1. 20"Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence." – Denis Waitley

Find what drives you and truly believe in it — you'll be able to climb any mountain.

1. 21"Tough times never last, but tough people do." – Robert H. Schuller

Yes, at times, it might be rough. But it only benefits you and makes you stronger.

1. 22"I've failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed." – Michael Jordan

Even a GOAT basketball legend failed many times before, but he learned many lessons and never faltered on his inspirational journey.

1. 23"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." – Thomas Edison

No one was born with the ability to succeed — it takes effort and determination.

1. 24"Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds." – Orison Swett Marden

Learn from every experience — this way, you gain valuable insights, and the result isn't the only thing that matters. 

1. 25"One form of perseverance is the daily discipline of trying to do things better than we did yesterday." — Angela Duckworth, 'Grit'

Where do you find the motivation to achieve goals? How do you stay motivated every day? What keeps people motivated overall? Success book summaries are here to help — read or listen to the 'Grit' summary for the answers you're looking for.

Compelling achievement quotes on innovation and creativity

Passion itself isn't enough sometimes; this is where innovation and creativity come in handy. Be original and always push the boundaries to succeed!

1. 26"Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own." – Bruce Lee

It's impossible to succeed by just following someone's path — create your own.

1. 27"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Don't let irrational things stop you from achieving your goals — find a way to overcome them.

1. 28"Believe you can, and you're halfway there." – Theodore Roosevelt

Always believe in yourself, and it'll take you far! If you lack confidence and self-love, deep self quotes may be the boost you need right now. 

1. 29"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." – Abraham Lincoln

Your inner drive matters more than any obstacles you might face. Success starts with your decision to go all in!

1. 30"Success is not in what you have, but who you are." – Bo Bennett

It's all about your character, not the money you earn.

1. 31"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." – Norman Vincent Peale

You can always try to aim high — even if you make mistakes, you'll move one step closer.

1. 32"Whether you're a writer, marketer, consultant, or lawyer: Your work is craft, and if you hone your ability and apply it with respect and care, then like the skilled wheelwright, you can generate meaning in the daily efforts of your professional life." — Cal Newport, 'Deep Work'

Do you really have what it takes to succeed? Work on your skills and take care of yourself, and you'll find your deeper purpose and joy.

Achievement quotes that motivate leadership and drive impact

You're not alone — think about the whole team behind you. Inspire others, and it'll help you create change. These quotes represent how a true leader can rise by leading with empathy.

1. 33"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." – C.S. Lewis

No matter your age, abilities for self-growth, and ambitions, never expire.

1. 34"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." – Walt Disney

Stop talking about your goals and take the first step today — this way, you'll make progress, even if it's small.

1. 35"Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success." – Dale Carnegie

Right energy, common sense, and grit — that's your success formula.

1. 36"Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish." – Sam Walton.

Always congratulate your team on achievements; it gives purpose and motivation to do more.

1. 37"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." – Helen Keller

A positive mindset is what will drive you to the end of your success journey.

1. 38"Successful people are simply those with successful habits." – Brian Tracy

Your daily habits shape who you become.

1. 39"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge." – Simon Sinek

To earn trust and respect, true leaders have to serve first.

1. 40"One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." — Malala Yousafzai, 'I Am Malala'

A young girl with a notebook in her hands achieved what world leaders couldn't for many years. Read or listen to the 'I Am Malala' summary and learn how one voice can change the world!

Powerful achievement quotes featured in Headway summaries

These quotes from bestselling books like 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' and 'Mindset' reveal insights on success, and most importantly, how to turn your ideas into actions.

1. 41"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." — James Clear, 'Atomic Habits'

Your goals will be nothing without strong habits.

1. 42"Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is quite another." — Angela Duckworth, 'Grit'

How can talent matter when, without action, it goes to waste?

1. 43"Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit..." — Stephen R. Covey, 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'

Everything starts in the mind, your thoughts shape your skills and success overall.

1. 44"Test scores and measures of achievement tell you where a student is, but they don't tell you where a student could end up." — Carol S. Dweck, 'Mindset'

If you don't do well now, that's okay — there's always room for growth in the future.

1. 45"If you don't produce, you won't thrive—no matter how skilled or talented you are." — Cal Newport, 'Deep Work'

In most cases, the output matters more than the potential.

1. 46"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life." — Eckhart Tolle, 'The Power of Now'

Outstanding achievements are happening right now, not in the present or future.

1. 47"Motivation is crap. Motivation comes and goes. When you're driven, whatever is in front of you will get destroyed." — David Goggins, 'Can't Hurt Me'

Discipline beats motivation, as being driven makes you unstoppable.

Get more insights and wisdom from industry professionals in the Headway app — all of these nonfiction bestsellers in a bite-sized format await you. Spend just 15 minutes today and move one step closer to your achievement with our book summaries and productivity app! 

Don't just dream it — learn it with Headway!

It would be easy to take just one action and become successful immediately, right? But it's not that easy, as success doesn't happen overnight. It sometimes takes hard work, time, effort, progress, and even failure. It doesn't matter what kind of achievement you want to pursue — the key lies in showing up daily and refining your process. 

That's where Headway comes in handy — our bite-sized book summaries will help you gain the best insights on achieving your goals. Don't just think about doing it, take the first step toward your goal today by downloading the Headway app.