109 One Day at a Time Quotes for Mindfulness and Motivation

Are you constantly anxious about what might or might not happen? Lean back, appreciate the moment, and prepare for a change right now. These 'one day at a time' quotes will bring you back to the present!

Explore insights from leading experts and authors whose groundbreaking titles shape how we understand habits, focus, resilience, and personal growth. 

James Clear, author of 'Atomic Habits,' claims that our direction is more important than where we're at now. In 'Deep Work,' Cal Newport highlights the power of deep focus. Effort beats talent — that's the narrative of Carol S. Dweck's 'Mindset.' In '12 Rules for Life,' Jordan B. Peterson discusses the importance of personal growth over comparing yourself with others. Finally, John C. Maxwell ('The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth') states that self-awareness and discipline are the keys to success.

Yes, your life depends on the decisions you make. However, it doesn't mean you should decide everything at once, especially during difficult times. Let's explore how this philosophy may benefit you with five inspirational quotes!

Five 'one day at a time' quotes to remember 

1. "You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results." — James Clear, 'Atomic Habits'

2. "Who you are, what you think, feel, and do, what you love—is the sum of what you focus on." — Cal Newport, 'Deep Work'

3. "No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment." — Carol S. Dweck, 'Mindset'

4. "If you do the things you need to do when you need to do them, then someday you can do the things you want do when you want to do them." — John C. Maxwell, 'The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth'

5. "Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today." — Jordan B. Peterson, '12 Rules for Life'

Continue reading for more quotes on living one day at a time to get inspired and motivated!

109 best 'one day at a time' quotes for motivation and mindfulness

One powerful statement can change lives. Grouped by theme, these thoughts from industry experts, historical figures, and even pop stars may help you reset. Let these motivational quotes encourage you to enjoy the essence of living one day at a time!

1. 6."The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time." — Abraham Lincoln

2. "Live one day at a time and make it a masterpiece." — Dale West

3. "My motivation is tomorrow, just one day at a time, right?" — Rafael Nadal

4. "I remind myself every day just how lucky I am to do what I love! … taking my life one day at a time." — Misty Copeland

5. "I just live one day at a time." — Rick James

6. "There's no straighter road to success than exceeding expectations one day at a time." — Robin Crow

7. "Everybody is looking for instant success, but it doesn't work that way. You build a successful life one day at a time." — Lou Holtz

8. "Big things are built one brick at a time… A life well-lived is chosen one day at a time." — Lysa TerKeurst

9. "A good friend… said each morning when you wake up, think about winning the day… just think about one day at a time." — Drew Brees

10. "I believe that the best way to prepare for a Future Life is to be kind, live one day at a time, and do the work you can do best, doing it as well as you can." — Elbert Hubbard

11. "Dream big… Take one day at a time… you will overcome." — Nick Vujicic

12. "Be the designer of your world and not merely the consumer of it." — James Clear

13. “Preparation (growth) + Attitude + Opportunity + Action (doing something about it) = Luck.” — John C. Maxwell

Take small steps toward progress by listening to or reading 'The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.'

1. 19. If you don't lose, you cannot enjoy the victories." — Rafael Nadal

2. "The best way to predict the future is to create it." — Abraham Lincoln

3. "Sometimes you have to allow yourself to reach new milestones when your mind wants to quit. Keep pushing yourself... Your spirit deserves it." — Demi Lovato

4. "The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

5. "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." — Wayne Dyer

6. "A dream you dream alone is only a dream — a dream you dream together is reality." — Yoko Ono

7. "I got to the top the hard way—fighting my own laziness and ignorance every step of the way." – John C. Maxwell.

8. "Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for your life to begin and start making the most of the moment you are in." ― Germany Kent

9. "If you're not sure what to do, do what you have to do." ― Chinonye J. Chidolue

10. "Do your best, one day at a time. That's good enough. You don't know who may get value from something you have said or done. More people than you realize can be blessed by you." ― Donna Goddard, 'Writing: A Spiritual Voice'

11. "Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art." — Don Miguel Ruiz. 

The author encourages you to be true to yourself, live freely, and make thoughtful choices. Also, check out other books like 'The Four Agreements' if you loved this story! Discover more powerful thoughts in our 'The Four Agreements' quotes collection.

1. 30."That was all she supposed she could do: just keep going. One day, one breath at a time." ― Sarah J. Maas, 'A ​Court of Silver Flames'

2. "I am not thinking about what's coming far off in the future, but what I face now. I think to myself that I will only think about what needs to be done today and get it done without incident. All I can do is believe that I will make it through the long stretch of tomorrows." ― Kim Hye-jin, 'Concerning My Daughter'

Quotes about mindfulness to take one day at a time

1. 32."Live one day at a time. Keep your attention in the present time. Have no expectations. Make no judgments. And give up the need to know why things happen as they do. Give it up!" — Caroline Myss

2. "Everyone is lonely. We have to remember that life is to be lived one day at a time. You cannot worry about the past or future. Happiness is in the now." — Claudia Gray

3. "I try to live my life one day at a time, and if I look too far in advance, I get really stressed." — Hope Solo

4. "Time is what prevents everything from happening at once." — John Archibald Wheeler

5. "Now is now, and I live everything one day at a time. The fact that I'm still on the planet and able to still make music is such a miracle." — Ronnie Milsap

6. "Each day means a new twenty-four hours… you live in the moment… take it all one day at a time." — Marie Lu

7. "Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure out everything all at once… Take it day by day." — Karen Salmansohn

8. "Take life one day at a time because every day is a different day with new challenges." — Penny Streeter

9. "Live one day at a time, and never be afraid." — Tammy Faye Bakker

10. "All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger." — James Clear

Explore more ideas from the classic book, 'Atomic Habits,' in bite-sized format.

1. 42."I'm trying to stay as calm as possible and focus one day at a time, but when reality sets in, I feel everything: anxiety, excitement, nerves, pressure, and joy." — Shawn Johnson

2. "Take one day at a time. Allow yourself to change." — Paul Henderson

3. "We live one day at a time and scratch where it itches." — Darrell Royal

4. "I'm like a recovering perfectionist. For me, it's one day at a time." — Brené Brown

5. "Take life on life's terms – one day at a time. And have fun while you're doing it." — Joe Perry

6. "Now I'm starting… to think straight again. I live one day at a time, one hour at a time." — Paula Yates

7. "Live one day at a time emphasizing ethics rather than rules." — Wayne Dyer

8. "I have a new philosophy: I'm only going to dread one day at a time." — Charles M. Schulz

9. "Live one day at a time; keep your attention in the present time… Make no judgments." — Caroline Myss

10. "I'm just taking it one day at a time. Actually, that's a total lie. I always think about what's in front of me." — Julianne Hough

11. "People may start with different temperaments and different aptitudes, but it is clear that experience, training, and personal effort take them the rest of the way." – Carol S. Dweck.

12. "Don't look too far into the future, just look at tomorrow. One day at a time. Can you win tomorrow? Can you make progress? The answer is yes, you have a choice." — Joe Wicks

13. "Always place your becoming above your current being." ― Jordan B. Peterson

Get rid of the chaos in your life by exploring the '12 Rules for Life' summary.

1. 55."If people just took it a day at a time, they'd be a lot happier." ― Richard Bachman

2. "We can't rewind the past, nor fast-forward the future, so today, all we can do is play, record, pause and keep moving, until something should press the stop button." ― Anthony Liccione

3. "You can only do things one day at a time, sport. Sometimes life is so bloody that's the only way you can get through it. But the good bit about living one day at a time is that when nice things happen, you enjoy them more than people who are always thinking about the past or the future." ― Deborah Crombie, 'Kissed a Sad Goodbye'

4. What really matters is what today looks like. Shape your day, and the world will mold itself to fit within your mind." ― Jay Ibrahim, 'Raise the Bar: To live a life of Excellence in Health, Wealth, Relationship and Spirituality'

5. "I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow." — Maya Angelou.

One day at a time quotes on resilience and recovery

1. 60."The future comes one day at a time, so don't fear and try to solve all the worries... today." — Dean Acheson

2. "I'm just taking it one day at a time… not thinking about yesterday, just focusing on what I need to get done throughout the day." — Julianne Hough

3. "I can't promise you that you'll ever live in a world where people don't hurt your feelings. But I can promise you that if you keep on moving and taking one day at a time, the opinions and words of people who hurt you will matter less and less to you." — Taylor Swift

4. "Human beings, it seems, are at their best when immersed deeply in something challenging. There." – Cal Newport

Need a better focus? 'Deep Work' has got you covered; read or listen to it now!

1. 64"Life's so full that you just take it one day at a time." — Sheryl Crow

2. "Live one day at a time, one day at a time. Yesterday's gone and tomorrow is blind…" — Willie Nelson

3. "No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don't look too far into the future and focus on the present moment. You can get through anything one day at a time." — Bob Parsons

4. "All we can do is try, do our best. Give as much time as we have to give, one day at a time. One breath at a time." — Jasinda Wilder

5. "The road to recovery will not always be easy, but I will take it one day at a time, focusing on the moments I've dreamed about for so long." — Amanda Lindhout

6. "I've been sober now for a couple of years, and I'm taking my sobriety very seriously – one day at a time, and I am moving forward in my career." — Daniel Baldwin

7. "We do the best we can in life, we take things one day at a time…" — Demi Lovato

8. "You just try to take it one day at a time… You step on the basketball floor and just play. It's fun. I'm comfortable with it." — Kobe Bryant

9. "I'll never worry about not being successful. I'll just take it one day at a time, one season at a time." — Bo Jackson

10. "A lot of things have been thrown at me in life, and I've got through it all without a rule book, taking it one day at a time." — Yoko Ono

11. "There is magic in knocking down your most important domino day after day. All you have to do is avoid breaking the chain, one day at a time…" — Gary W. Keller

12. "The whole idea is you can't sit around and do nothing. You have to get up and start living one day at a time." — Darlene Love

13. "I still find it almost impossible to relax for more than one day at a time." — Gene Kelly

14. "No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don't look too far into the future and focus on the present moment. You can get through anything one day at a time." — Bob Parsons

15. "One breath at a time. One day at a time… You're not okay, but you're alive, and you will be okay, someday." — Jasinda Wilder

16. "Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many." — Niccolò Machiavelli, 'The Prince' 

This classic story shows that you're not born with true strength and leadership—they're built through effort, learning, and experience. Why not explore and enjoy timeless Niccolò Machiavelli quotes to expand your journey?

1. 80"I try to take it one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once." — Ashleigh Brilliant

2. "Take life one day at a time because every day is a different day with new challenges." — Penny Streeter

3. "A lot of things have been thrown at me in life, and I've got through it all without a rule book, taking it one day at a time." — Yoko Ono

4. "I'm trying to stay as calm as possible and focus one day at a time, but when reality sets in, I feel everything: anxiety, excitement, nerves, pressure, and joy." — Shawn Johnson

5. "I've been sober now for a couple of years, and I'm taking my sobriety very seriously – one day at a time, and I am moving forward in my career." — Daniel Baldwin

6. "The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next." ― Mignon McLaughlin

7. "But what really matters is what's under the hood, and without continued attention to routine maintenance and repairs, it isn't long before the same old engine spoils the new ride." ― William Cope Moyers, 'Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption'

8. "To be perfectly blunt about it, my choice sometimes is: I can kill myself or I can make a dozen cupcakes. Right so, I'll do the cupcakes and I can kill myself tomorrow." ― Marian Keyes, 'Saved by Cake'

9. "You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway." – Steve Maraboli, 'Life, the Truth, and Being Free'

10. "Power is a game, and in games you do not judge your opponents by their intentions but by the effects of their actions." — Robert Greene, 'The 48 Laws of Power.' 

'The 48 Laws of Power' by Robert Greene explores the historical strategies of influential figures and helps us understand, navigate, and ethically wield power in everyday life. Grasp more wisdom from our Robert Greene quotes collection!

Humor and lighthearted one day at a time quotes

1. 90"Life is like an ice cream cone. You have to lick it one day at a time." — Charles M. Schulz

2. "Live one day at a time unless you can figure out how to live two." — Dik Browne

3. "One day at a time is all we do. One day at a time is good for you." — John Lennon

4. “I never have planned a whole lot of future. It's one day at a time." — Darrell Royal

5. "I try to take it one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once." — Ashleigh Brilliant

6. "We live one day at a time and scratch where it itches." — Darrell Royal

7. "In fact, studies show that people are terrible at estimating their abilities." — Carol S. Dweck

Work on your inner block by listening to or reading 'Mindset' written by a recognized psychology professor.

1. 97"I'm like a recovering perfectionist. For me, it's one day at a time." — Brené Brown

2. "Now I'm starting… to think straight again. I live one day at a time, one hour at a time." — Paula Yates

3. "I take it not only a day at a time, but a moment at a time…" — Willie Nelson

4. "Live one day at a time, one day at a time. Yesterday's gone and tomorrow is blind…" — Willie Nelson

5. "People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day." — A.A. Milne

6. "I'm just taking it one day at a time. Actually, that's a total lie. I always think about what's in front of me." — Julianne Hough

7. "I still find it almost impossible to relax for more than one day at a time." — Gene Kelly

8. "Drink life one sip at a time. This moment is brand new. Let it pour its newness into you." ― Hiral Nagda

9. "One day, or day one." ― Paulo Coelho

10. "There comes a day when you're gonna look around and realize happiness is where you are." — Chief Tui

11. Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, 'I’m not going to make it,' but you laugh inside remembering all the times you've felt that way." — Charles Bukowski

12. "Even a stopped clock is right twice every day. After some years, it can boast of a long series of successes." — Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

13. "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." — Charles Schulz

Why does 'one day at a time' resonate so much?

"Take one day at a time" isn't just a cute phrase — it's a proven concept, a philosophy that helps ordinary people start making changes. These motivational quotes offer insights and wisdom into mindfulness, personal growth, and motivation. Moreover, they encourage us to focus on the present moment and value consistency over ability.

Looking for more insights? Check out the 'Atomic Habits' summary in the Headway app. You can read or listen to the key points and transform your thinking today.

Overcome life challenges with Headway's book summaries!

Still feeling overwhelmed about the past and future? Sometimes, all it takes is a single step or quote to motivate you to face new challenges right now. With the Headway app, you can take control of your life and build consistency, one day at a time.

Get insights from book summaries of other powerful titles such as: 

• 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle

• 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear 

• 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck' by Mark Manson

• 'Daring Greatly' by Brené Brown 

• 'You Are a Badass' by Jen Sincero

Available to read or listen to at any time on the app, it's easy to learn new things even with a busy schedule. Also, remember that you can always find the best life quotes, motivation, and inspiration on the Headway blog.