Growth Quotes: For Love, Work, & Life

By Justine Saavedra, M.S.
Reviewed by Tchiki Davis, M.A., Ph.D.

Discover growth quotes and the benefits of developing a growth mindset. Explore growth quotes about love, work, life, and more.

*This page may include affiliate links; that means we earn from qualifying purchases of products.

As we learn and gain experience, our ideas, beliefs, and skills evolve. This growth and change is a normal part of life and usually happens naturally over time. You can also intentionally focus your energy on growing in various aspects of your life such as work, relationships, and education. Reading quotes specific to the area you are working on might help you see a new perspective that could be beneficial for your growth.

Before reading on, if you're a therapist, coach, or wellness entrepreneur, be sure to grab our free Wellness Business Growth eBook to get expert tips and free resources that will help you grow your business exponentially.

Are You a Therapist, Coach, or Wellness Entrepreneur?

Grab Our Free eBook to Learn How to
Grow Your Wellness Business Exponentially!

✓ Save hundreds of hours of time ✓ Earn more $ faster
✓ Boost your credibility ✓ Deliver high-impact content

What Are Growth Quotes Helpful For? (A Definition)

Quotes about growth can be a helpful tool in developing a growth mindset. Having a growth mindset means that you believe in people’s ability to adapt and grow while having a fixed mindset means that you believe people are born with their natural capabilities with little ability to move beyond that.

While both mindsets are completely valid, studies have shown the benefits of having a growth rather than a fixed mindset. “For example, growth, relative to fixed, mindsets are associated with learning goals, mastery-oriented strategies such as seeking help from teachers, and self-efficacy” (Burnette et al., 2013).

Benefits of a Growth vs. Fixed Mindset

Greater self-efficacy
Better learning strategies
Less anxiety
Less avoidant coping
Less focused on outperforming peers

If you have a more fixed mindset and would like to develop a growth mindset you are in luck. Research has found that with practice, individuals can build a growth mindset. One study employed a short online growth mindset intervention for students. This intervention demonstrated that intellectual abilities can be developed and grown over time and they found that it improved grades among lower-achieving students and increased enrollment in advanced math courses. This is an especially meaningful finding because greater educational attainment is a leading predictor of health and longevity (Yeager et al., 2019).

Another study focused on a growth mindset intervention as a way to reduce mental health distress. The study found that individuals who took part in the intervention reported fewer symptoms of clinical depression than individuals who did not participate, even as long as 9 months afterward (Miu & Yeager, 2014). This means that fostering a growth mindset might help reduce distressing symptoms of mental health.

Below you will find a compilation of quotes about growth in many areas of life including work, relationships, and more. Try not to get discouraged if you make mistakes along the path to growth—mistakes can often teach us the most valuable lessons.

All-Access Pass - Wellness PLR Content Collection

Short Growth Quotes

Affirmations are statements that you repeat to yourself with the intention of building more healthy habits or thought patterns. Short quotes can be an excellent way to infuse motivation toward growth into your everyday life.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” — Albert Einstein
“Why are you going to choose failure when success is an option?” ― Jillian Michaels
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” — Frederick Douglass
“Don’t go through life, grow through life.” — Eric Butterworth
“Growth begins when we begin to accept our own weakness.” — Jean Vanier
“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” — Napoleon Hill

Growth Mindset Quotes

If you find yourself in a fixed mindset pattern such as “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good enough”, try to replace those thoughts with a growth mindset quote.

“I am always doing what I cannot do yet in order to learn how to do it.” ― Vincent Van Gogh
"Vision is not enough. It must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps; we must also step up the stairs." ― Vaclav Havel
“Open the window of your mind. Allow the fresh air, new lights, and new truths to enter.” ― Amit Ray
“You can do anything you want, just not everything. Pick what you want, work harder than most to get it, and believe in yourself.” ― Daina Trout
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen, again and again, fear must be overcome again and again.” — Abraham Maslow
“Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts).” — Carol Dweck

Video: Growth Mindset Quotes – 45 Motivational Quotes You Need to Hear Today!

Inspirational Growth Quotes

Are you feeling stuck or stagnant on your growth journey? Consider the following inspirational quotes to try and ignite a spark of motivation to work toward your life goals and big dreams.

“Whatever makes you uncomfortable is your biggest opportunity for growth.” — Bryant McGill
“The challenges we face in life are always lessons that serve our soul’s growth.” — Marianne Williamson
“Life does not always give you what you want but if you look closely you will see that it gives you what you need for your growth.” — Leon Brown
“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” — Ayn Rand
"Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it." — Andy Rooney

Video: Inspirational Quotes - About Growth

Video: 20 Amazing Personal Growth Quotes | Inspiring Quotes for Personal Growth

Growth Quotes for Love

“Love grows by practice; there is no other way.” — Eknath Easwaran
“One does not fall in love; one grows into love, and love grows in him.” — Karl A Menninger
“Love can’t mature in one room. It has to come out of the full sharing of everything: joys, aspirations, downfalls, all of it. That’s the only real path to love.” — Leon Uris
“Love is not limited by our relationships but shapes how they flow. Relationships do not define us, but allow us to grow.” ― Alan B Jones
“Love grows when you trust that the Universe is on your side.” — Deepak Chopra

Wise Quotes About Growth

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” — John Maxwell
“Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” — Chinese Proverb
“Pеrѕоnаl grоwth is imроrtаnt in аll оf life's stages. Yоu nееd to kеер growing tо deal еffесtivеlу with others.” — James Stafford
“Real growth is when we flow in balance in all seasons and weather accepting all events and things with openness & gratitude.” — Raghu Ram Ananthoj
“Love yourself enough to create an environment in your life that is conducive to the nourishment of your personal growth. Allow yourself to let go of the people, thoughts, and situations that poison your well-being. Cultivate a vibrant surrounding and commit yourself to making choices that will help you release the greatest expression of your unique beauty and purpose.” — Steve Maraboli

Well-Being PLR Courses - Grow Your Business Fast

'Growth Hurts' Quotes

Sometimes growing and changing can be emotionally painful. Everyone experiences obstacles and roadblocks in life—how you react to these obstacles will play a role in whether you fail or succeed in growing past them. Try to remember that you have survived 100% of your bad days up until this point if you feel discouraged.

“Mistakes are the growing pains of wisdom.” — William George Jordan
“Change and growth is so painful. But it’s so necessary for us to evolve.” — Sarah McLachlan
“Comfort zones are most often expanded through discomfort.” — Peter McWilliams
“Life is very interesting... in the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.” — Drew Barrymore
“Growth can be painful, change can be painful but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” — Charles H. Spurgeon
“Without the dark, there isn’t light. Without the pain, there is no relief.” — Jenny Lawson

Well-Being PLR Article Packages - Grow Your Business Fast

Growth Quotes for Women

“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” ― Oprah Winfrey
“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” ― Marissa Mayer
“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” — Melinda Gates
“Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.” — Arianna Huffington
“What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.” — Rupi Kaur

Growth Quotes for Students

Developing a growth mindset can be beneficial for academic success. One study found that students who participated in a growth mindset intervention improved their grades as a result (Yeager et al., 2019). So consider the following quotes about academic growth.

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship.” ― Little Women
“Perfection is boring. Getting better is where all the fun is.” ― Dragos Roua
“The best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself.” ― Wallace Wattles
“Don’t just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you’ll never grow from it.” ― Jim Rohn
“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think!” ― Albert Einstein

Growth Quotes for Work

“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” — Chris Grosser
"I want to look back on my career and be proud of the work and be proud that I tried everything." — Jon Stewart
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” — Steve Jobs
"There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing." — Elbert Hubbard
"Your career is like a garden. It can hold an assortment of life's energy that yields a bounty for you. You do not need to grow just one thing in your garden. You do not need to do just one thing in your career." — Jennifer Ritchie Payette

Growth Quotes for Business

“Focus on being productive instead of busy.” — Tim Ferris
“Motivation is the catalyzing ingredient for every successful innovation.” — Clayton Christensen
"No company can afford not to move forward. It may be at the top of the heap but at the bottom of the heap tomorrow if it doesn't." — James Cash Penney
"Do not wait. The time will never be 'just right.' Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along." — George Hérbert
"To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart." — Thomas Watson
"If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs." — Dhirubhai Ambani

Famous Quotes About Growth

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.” — Audrey Hepburn
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” — Babe Ruth
“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” — John. C. Maxwell
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” — Michael Jordan

Articles Related to Growth Quotes

Want to learn more? Check out these articles:

Books & Products Related to Growth Quotes

If you’d like to keep learning more, here are a few books and products that you might be interested in.

Final Thoughts on Growth Quotes

Growing and evolving is a natural part of human existence. You can also intentionally focus your energy on growing in any area of your life where you would like to improve. Believing you have the ability to grow and change is a hallmark of having a growth mindset which is associated with a number of benefits including greater self-efficacy, better learning strategies, and less anxiety (Burnette et al., 2013). So quotes about growth can be a helpful tool on your personal development journey.

Don't Forget to Grab Our Free eBook to Learn How to
Grow Your Wellness Business Exponentially!

References

Burnette, J. L., O'Boyle, E. H., VanEpps, E. M., Pollack, J. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2013). Mind-sets matter: A meta-analytic review of implicit theories and self-regulation. Psychological Bulletin, 139(3), 655–701.
Miu, A. S., & Yeager, D. S. (2014). Preventing symptoms of depression by teaching adolescents that people can change. Clinical Psychological Science, 3(5), 726–743.
Yeager, D. S., Hanselman, P., Walton, G. M., Murray, J. S., Crosnoe, R., Muller, C., Tipton, E., Schneider, B., Hulleman, C. S., Hinojosa, C. P., Paunesku, D., Romero, C., Flint, K., Roberts, A., Trott, J., Iachan, R., Buontempo, J., Yang, S. M., Carvalho, C. M., … Dweck, C. S. (2019). A national experiment reveals where a growth mindset improves achievement. Nature, 573(7774), 364–369.