Brick by Brick: Six Quotes to Change Your Perspective

These six quotes are more than just words—they're tools to help you push through the tough moments.

Staying motivated can feel like trying to climb a mountain—especially when your goal is to grow, achieve, and reach new heights. But when the weight of that journey starts to feel too heavy, just pause and revisit these 6 simple quotes. They’ll remind you why you’re on this path and help you push forward:

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour. You don’t have to build everything you want today, just lay a brick.”
– James Clear, author
Real success doesn’t happen overnight. I love this quote from James Clear because it captures the power of small, consistent actions. It’s like a brick-by-brick journey to your dreams. Don’t stress about building the whole empire today—just lay that next brick. One. At. A. Time.

“When you can’t control what’s happening, control the way you respond to what’s happening. For that is where your power is.”
– Steve Harvey, television host
Frustration will hit, especially when you’re chasing a big goal. The key here is to accept what’s out of your control. You can’t control the traffic, the weather, or your coworker’s mood, but you can control your response. That’s your superpower, and the sooner you realize it, the more peaceful the journey becomes.

“It’s not that we fear the unknown. You cannot fear something you do not know. Nobody is afraid of the unknown. What you really fear is the loss of the known.”
– Anthony de Mello, Jesuit priest, psychotherapist
Fear is a tricky thing. It can paralyze you if you let it. But this quote flips fear on its head, suggesting that what we’re actually afraid of isn’t the unknown at all. It’s the loss of what we’re familiar with. Our nervous systems are simply reacting to the potential change in our lives. That’s when fear becomes an invitation to pay attention—not something to run from.

“In the end, there are only two rules: Remember yourself. Practice compassion. And, now that I think about it, they amount to the same thing.”
– Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly
We hear a lot about practicing compassion for others, but how often do we show ourselves the same kindness? Whether you're in the grind of a major project or just trying to stay motivated, remember to treat yourself with the same compassion you'd offer a friend. It’s okay to pause, breathe, and give yourself grace when you're working hard to achieve something big.

“One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.”
– Sigmund Freud, psychologist
This quote might not sound comforting when you’re deep in the struggle. But looking back, those challenges often become some of your most treasured experiences. The tough times? They shape you, strengthen you, and sometimes—just sometimes—they leave you with gratitude and lessons you wouldn’t have learned otherwise. Keep going, because the day will come when you'll look back with a different perspective.

These six quotes are more than just words—they're tools to help you push through the tough moments. So, when you’re feeling like giving up, remember: success takes time, you can control your responses, fear might be pointing to something important, be kind to yourself, and someday the struggles will look different. Keep laying bricks, and know you’re building something meaningful, one step at a time.