Leadership is the challenge to be something more than average.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
The most important of life’s battles is the one we fight daily in the silent chambers of the soul.
—David O. McKay (1873–1970) American Religious Leader, Educator
When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.
—Paulo Coelho (b.1947) Brazilian Songwriter, Novelist
The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart.
—Dorothy Day (1897–1980) American Journalist, Christian Activist
The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge, while an ordinary man takes everything as a blessing or a curse.
—Carlos Castaneda (1925–98) Peruvian-born American Anthropologist, Author
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
—Marie Curie (1867–1934) Polish-born French Physicist, Chemist
Leadership cannot just go along to get along. Leadership must meet the moral challenge of the day.
—Jesse Jackson (b.1941) American Civil Rights Leader, Minister
Woman must not accept; she must challenge. She must not be awed by that which has been built up around her; she must reverence that woman in her which struggles for expression.
—Margaret Sanger (1883–1966) American Birth-Control Campaigner
It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever—the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it.
—Vince Lombardi, Jr. (b.1942) American Lawyer, Politician, Motivational Speaker
I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet.
—Nadia Comaneci (b.1961) Romanian-born American Gymnast
Journalism is the ability to meet the challenge of filling space.
—Rebecca West (1892–1983) English Author, Journalist, Literary Critic
Burdens are the foundations of ease and bitter things the forerunners of pleasure.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
Tackling challenges that are too big for you is what makes you grow as a human being. Why do you think this problem keeps coming up in your life, staring you in the face?. Do you think you’re supposed to ignore it and hide from it and wait for someone else to solve it for you?. If you notice it, you own it.
—Steve Pavlina (b.1971) American Motivational Speaker
All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur
Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
The duty of youth is to challenge corruption.
—Kurt Cobain (1967–94) American Rock Musician
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Historian, Political Leader, Explorer
One must be aware that one is continually being tested in what one wishes most in order to make clear whether one’s heart is on earth or in heaven.
—Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan (1916–2004) British Sufi Mystic, Psychologist, Religious Leader
There is nothing like a challenge to bring out the best in man.
—Sean Connery (1930–2020) Scottish Actor, Film Producer
He isn’t a real boss until he has trained subordinates to shoulder most of his responsibilities.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
When you have a challenge and the response is equal to the challenge, that’s called “success”. But once you have a new challenge, the old, once-successful response no longer works. That’s why it is called a “failure.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
Be thankful for each new challenge, ecause it will build your strength and character.
—Unknown
You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.
—James Stockdale (1923–2005) American Naval Officer, Pilot
When people keep telling you that you can’t do a thing, you kind of like to try it.
—Margaret Chase Smith (1897–1995) American Politician
The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist.
—Gail Sheehy (1936–2020) American Writer, Journalist
You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind.
—Darwin P. Kingsley (1857–1932) American Insurance Executive
Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.
—Bruce Lee (1940–73) American Martial Artist, Actor, Philosopher
Don’t be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard.
—Colin Powell (1937–2021) American Military Leader
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