50 Thoughts That Can Motivate You to Do Anything

Motivation can be hard to come by, especially in the face of challenges or difficult work. When you're thinking about implementing that new idea, or starting that new company or beginning that new regimen -- this is the new year, after all -- it's easy to talk yourself into procrastinating. Or worse, avoiding your goal altogether.

Related: 5 Motivation Blocks Hurting Your Success, and How to Transform Them

Thoughts are powerful, and negative thoughts can prevent you from achieving your goals. The flip side is that positive thoughts can be just as powerful. The next time you feel unmotivated, use any of these 50 positive thoughts to reenergize yourself. Really: They work!

It's a simple phrase, but it helps to remind yourself -- you really can do anything you set your mind to.

Instead of giving yourself reasons why you can't do something, give yourself reasons why you can.

You deserve a better life -- whether that means a better job, a healthier body or more money. Work for it.

No matter how old you are or how many opportunities you've passed up before, it's never too late to make a decision and get a fresh start.

No matter what you do in life, there will always be challenges -- don't let one set get the better of you.

If you're waiting for the perfect moment, forget about it -- there's no such thing.

There are some definite flaws in your plan -- but there are in every plan.

Nobody is born successful. Everyone starts somewhere, and usually from the bottom.

Don't try to do everything at once. Reduce it to baby steps.

If you fail, you're in good company -- most successes come only after several rounds of failure

If you mess up, you can only become better for it.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Your negative thoughts are just thoughts -- nothing more. it.

Think back to a time when you succeeded against the odds.

You can't get anything in this life unless you work hard for it.

Making the wrong decision is always preferable to regretting never having done anything at all.

Nobody is grading you. You can't objectively "fail" at life unless you never try anything.

You can decide whom you want to become.

Know that risks are real, but the potential benefits are worth them.

Related: How to Start a Business With (Almost) No Money

Discipline is hard, but it's easier to deal with than regret.

Friends, family, colleagues -- even if they think you're crazy, you can always find support in networking groups, support groups and other community resources.pt.

Even if your mission doesn't turn out the way you'd expected, you'll walk away with experience.

Today, tomorrow and the next day are all steps toward your end goal.

Forget about what others think -- prioritize what you think.

Everything can be solved or worked around.

Nobody wants to be ordinary. Don't let yourself be.

Free resources are plentiful.

Practice can make you good at anything.

Know what your end goals are, and visualize them.

There’s nothing stopping you from being whom you want to be.

Effort is the only way to get results.

Make the ones that matter.

You’re older, wiser and more experienced than you’ve ever been before.

Work and patience are your friends.

You’ll feel more motivated once you get rolling.

Even small rewards can be great motivators.

Maybe it’s for your family or community -- whatever "it" is, external motivation can be powerful.

If you screw up, you can always try again.

You’ll walk away with great memories and interesting anecdotes.

The power of positive thinking isn’t just an adage -- it’s scientifically proven that positive thoughts (and the elimination of negative self-talk) can improve your mood, feelings, and performance. These thoughts should get you started doing whatever it is you need motivation to do. This is the edge every entrepreneur or freelancer needs. The rest is up to you. 

Related: The 7 Secrets Self-Motivated Entrepreneurs Know