Self-improvement is intimidating, difficult, and easy to procrastinate on. But our own personal growth is also the single most rewarding goal in life.

If we spend time making our lives what we want them to be, we will eventually end up living close to our ideals. And that’s heaven on Earth!

There is no greater pride than when you can look back and say, “look how far I’ve come.”

So without further ado, here are some of the internet’s best self improvement quotes, to inspire your personal growth. 

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Helen Keller

Without challenges, we stagnate. Fight to move forward. The bigger the obstacles, the stronger the personal growth.  

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.” James Oppenheim

We can’t expect life to hand us everything we want on a silver platter. If we are looking for joy far from our daily lives, we will never be happy. If we instead sow joy in our daily activities and interactions, we can improve ourselves and find happiness in the now. 

“The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Respect your ability to navigate hard times. This is when you can find what you’re really capable of. 

“For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be.  What is once well done, is well done forever.” Henry David Thoreau

When you meet someone, do you meet all their past failures and mistakes? Or do you meet the person they’ve become? 

“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins, not through strength, but through persistence.” Buddha

Just because you fail at first, doesn’t mean failure is inevitable. 

“Life is a series of problem-solving opportunities.  The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you depending on how you respond to them.” Rick Warren

Life is like a game. Do you want to give up in level 1, or do you want to get better until you can beat the final boss? 

“Put your heart, mind, intellect, and soul even to your smallest acts.  This is the secret of success.” Swami Sivandanda

As long as you’ve given something all you have, then you’ve done your job. Regardless of the outcome, you’ve done the process due diligence.

“Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer

“Success” is based on other people. Happiness is based within yourself. 

“Do not despise the bottom rungs in the ascent to greatness.” Publilius Syrus

Don’t be embarrassed by your past failures. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to reach where you are today. 

“Be the change you want to see in this world.” Gandhi

Be an example. 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

Progress is better than stagnation. Moving forward will include both humbling setbacks and great joys. Staying in place means doing nothing. What would you prefer? 

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” Carl Bard

You can’t change the past, but luckily, you don’t need to. The minute that you decide to take charge of your future, the past becomes irrelevant. 

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” Carl R. Rogers

If you don’t first accept who you are, you’ll be stuck trying to get rid of your faults instead of growing past them in the process of moving on. 

“The mind is just like a muscle – the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.” Idowu Koyenikan

This is literally true. Neural plasticity means our brains change throughout our entire lives. You are not forever beholden to your current limitations. 

“Fun is essential to mastering the serious side of life. It provides the balance that keeps us sane.” Peter Nicholls

Developing yourself doesn’t just mean working hard. It also means playing hard. Grow joy the same way you grow success. 

“Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information but unlearning old limits.” Alan Cohen

As you move through life, you become better, stronger, and faster. New skills equip you to new challenges. Rinse, repeat. 

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” George Bernard Shaw

We spend too much time trying to “find who we really are” and not enough reflecting on who we have already become. Don’t neglect all the hard work you’ve done in developing yourself. 

Hopefully, with the words of the wise, you now feel ready for your journey to self-improvement. Work hard, love yourself, and be patient. Celebrate your successes and accept your failures. Keep going. You’ve got it.