Can an inspiring quote change your life? A motivational quote in the form of a poem certainly changed research professor [Bren Brown](https://brenebrown.com/)['s](http://brenebrown.com/).

One day she was casually googling information about U.S. Presidents, when, she recalls, _".....a quote comes up."_ She says this quote set her free \(dangerously so, according to her husband Steve\). It was Theodore Roosevelt's powerful quote from 1910. Below is Bren's version of it.

**It's not the critic who counts**

_It's not the critic who counts;_

_It's not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles;_

_Or where the doer of deeds could have done it better;_

_The credit belongs to the person who's actually is in the arena;_

_Whose face is marred with blood and sweat and dust;_

_Who at the best, in the end, knows the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, he fails daring greatly._

**The power of the quote**

Bren says the moment after she read it, she closed her laptop and three huge things shifted in her:

1\. **It is not about winning**. It is not about losing. It is about showing up and be seen.

2\. **This is who I want to be.** I want to create. I want to show up and be seen in my work and my life. \[And, when you do that\] the only certainty is that you will get your ass kicked.

3\. **If you're not in the arena,** also getting your ass kicked, I'm not interested in your feedback.

**The quote that changes a life**

As I said, Bren claims the quote literally changed her life.

Similarly, an inspiring quote by Seth Godin also changed the life of Bryan Elliott, host of YouTube's _Behind the Brand,_ who was struggling personally and in business.

He was venting to Godin, who leaned over and told him:

_"There is no Prince Charming in this story. There is no rescue boat. No-one's coming. Stop waiting to get picked."_

Elliott says in that moment his whole point of view changed.

**_"I realised I was playing the victim. I felt like one. I became a survivor, it changed my life."_**

Keep reading for our 22 inspiring and motivational quotes.

**22 motivational quotes**

In this complex world, we need the world's wisest people to bring out our best selves, such as [assuming others are doing the best they can](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/BrenBrowntoptipassumeothersaredoingthebesttheycan).

Perhaps one of these 22 motivational quotes from two of the world's bestselling authors will hit a nerve. It might change your life, make you dangerous...or just shake out the cobwebs.

_"You can't win by being more average than average."_ _-_ Seth Godin

_"Being ourselves sometimes means having the courage to stand alone."_ - Bren Brown

_"Either you're the creator or you're the audience. Either you're waiting your turn or you're taking it." -_ Seth Godin __

_"Choose courage over comfort."_ __ - Bren Brown

**_"Your story is a symphony, not a note."_** - Seth Godin

_"True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are, it requires you to be who you are."_ _-_ Bren Brown

**_"You will either be judged \(or ignored\)."_**_-_ Seth Godin \(Interesting fact: Bren shared this quote on Facebook - _"love this"_ she said\)

_"When we define ourselves by what everyone thinks, it's hard to be brave."_ - Bren Brown

_"Not starting is far far worse than being wrong."_ - Seth Godin

_"Just because someone failed to see the value in what we can create or achieve doesn't change its worth or ours."_ - Bren Brown

_"If it wasn't a mystery, it would be easy. If it were easy, it wouldn't be worth much." -_ Seth Godin

**_"Do not think that you can be brave with your work and your life and not disappoint anyone. It doesn't work that way."_** - Bren Brown

_"You are not your resume. You are your work. If the game is designed for you to lose, don't play that game. Play a different one."_ - Seth Godin

_"Let go of who you think you're supposed to be. Embrace who you are."_ - Bren Brown

_"The only way to be indispensable is to be different. That's because if you're the same, so are plenty of other people." -_ __ Seth Godin

_"When you push a "fitting in" culture, you miss the opportunity to help people find their personal drive."_ - Bren Brown

_"Winners quit often, quit fast, and quit without guilt."_ - Seth Godin

**_"Daring is saying I know I will eventually fail and I'm still all in."_**_-_ Bren Brown

_"Go. Make something happen." -_ Seth Godin

_"At the end of day, at the end the week, at the end of my life, I want to be able to say that I contributed more than I criticised."_ - Bren Brown

**_"Reject the tyranny of picked. Pick yourself."_** - Seth Godin

_"We are worthy of love and belonging right now. This minute. As is."_ - Bren Brown

Hope you're feeling inspired.

Now, to quote Seth,......"It's your turn \(and it's always your turn\)".

_If you liked this article, you may also like_[ _Our Favourite Quotes from Atomic Habits by James Clear_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/topquotesatomichabits) and m _ore_[ _quotes from Bren Brown_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/BestBreneBROWNquotesleaders) _from her bestsellers, and_[ _her sold-out event._](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/22QuotesDaretoLeadBrenBrown) __

_To master the qualities of successful leaders, make learning a lifelong habit._

_Youd be surprised how small improvements can turn into major gains, James Clear, author of Atomic Habits told us._

_Our_[ _ _Growth Faculty pass__](https://join.thegrowthfaculty.com/#plans) _means you have unlimited access to our inspiring global events, masterclasses, book club events and On Demand library - so you can learn the qualities of successful leaders._

__[**_See who's up next_**](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/?promoCode=Blog#liveevents)[ **_._**](https://growth.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/Blog_Post__c/a1d4G000004oYwKQAU/view)

Keep informedStay Inspired

Keep informed
Stay Inspired