Andy Devaney
It turns out the secret to surviving the daily grind in Britain isn’t caffeine or blind optimism — it’s the most inspirational quotes. A new study has revealed that modern Brits are leaning heavily on motivational mantras from figures like Theodore Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela, Dolly Parton, and Taylor Swift to keep their heads above water.
According to the research, commissioned by Jakemans, nearly six in ten adults draw motivation from uplifting phrases, while roughly four in ten turn to a positive affirmation before tackling something daunting — whether that’s a work presentation, a first date, or dragging themselves to the gym.
And the nation’s favourite line of wisdom? That honour goes to Steve Jobs with: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” More than half of those surveyed crowned it the ultimate motivational quote. Hardman David Goggins was close behind with: “Don’t stop when you’re tired, stop when you’re done,” which clearly speaks to the inner masochist in many gym-goers.
Timeless words rise to the top
The study revealed a blend of old-school grit and modern self-help among the most inspirational quotes shared today. Theodore Roosevelt’s “Believe you can and you’re halfway there” remains a go-to for over a third of the population, while Nelson Mandela’s powerful “It always seems impossible until it’s done” carries equal weight. Buddha’s calm reminder — “The mind is everything. What you think, you become” — still resonates widely.
Country music queen Dolly Parton makes the list too, thanks to her no-nonsense wisdom: “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”
Taylor Swift proves she’s more than break-up ballads and stadium tours, inspiring many with: “Hard things will happen to us. We will recover. We will learn from it. We will grow more resilient because of it.”
Scrolling for inspiration
Unsurprisingly, social media plays a massive role in dishing out encouragement. A whopping eight in ten people say their feeds are flooded with motivational quotes. We’re most likely to seek them out before trying something new, heading to the gym, running, or psyching ourselves up for time with the in-laws. Yes — even family gatherings need emotional armour.
Motivational speaker Dr Alison Edgar MBE explains why these short phrases stick: “Motivation is the bridge between our thoughts and our actions. It’s what gets us out of bed, keeps us moving forward, and helps us achieve things we didn’t think were possible. Without it, even the best ideas remain just that… ideas.”
She adds: “Fear of failure, overwhelm, and procrastination are the big three barriers to feeling motivated. When the mountain feels too steep to climb, it’s easier to stand still. That’s why a short phrase at the right time can reframe your thinking and give you the push you need to act.”
Sharing the love — and the quotes
Brits aren’t hoarding their motivational treasures either. More than half say they regularly pass inspirational lines on to others, usually about once a week. Partners, parents, and best friends are the main targets — though a bold five percent even admit sending motivational quotes to their boss. Brave or foolish? Jury’s out.
Among younger adults, RuPaul’s famous closing line from Drag Race continues to reign: “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else?”
The power of delivery
| Rank | Quote | Author | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” | Steve Jobs | 52% |
| 2 | “Don’t stop when you’re tired, stop when you’re done.” | David Goggins | 46% |
| 3 | “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” | Theodore Roosevelt | 33% |
| 4 | “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” | Nelson Mandela | 33% |
| 5 | “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” | Winston Churchill | 30% |
| 6 | “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” | Eleanor Roosevelt | 26% |
| 7 | “If you’re waiting for someone to believe in you, you’ll be waiting forever. You must believe in yourself.” | Cher | 25% |
| 8 | “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” | Malala Yousafzai | 24% |
| 9 | “The mind is everything. What you think you become.” | Buddha | 21% |
| 10 | “Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.” | Beyoncé | 20% |
| 11 | “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” | C. S. Lewis | 20% |
| 12 | “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” | Franklin D. Roosevelt | 20% |
| 13 | “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!’” | Audrey Hepburn | 19% |
| 14 | “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” | Dolly Parton | 19% |
| 15 | “If you can’t love yourself how the hell you gonna love somebody else?” | RuPaul | 19% |
| 16 | “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” | Dr. Seuss | 19% |
| 17 | “Hard things will happen to us. We will recover. We will learn from it. We will grow more resilient because of it.” | Taylor Swift | 19% |
| 18 | “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” | Walt Disney | 18% |
| 19 | “There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” | Leonard Cohen | 18% |
| 20 | “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” | Muhammad Ali | 17% |
| 21 | “Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.” | Michelle Obama | 17% |
| 22 | “Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” | Madam C. J. Walker | 16% |
| 23 | “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” | Billie Jean King | 16% |
| 24 | “To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.” | Rosa Parks | 15% |
| 25 | “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” | Aristotle | 15% |
Start with one achievable goal
Write it down and take the first step. Example: want to run 5k? Download and start a Couch-to-5k plan today.
Move or get outside
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Choose your circle
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Dr Edgar also reminds us it’s not just the message that matters — it’s how it’s delivered: “Your voice carries energy and emotion – it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. A confident, warm tone can uplift and inspire, while a flat delivery can kill even the best message.”
Even she admits to relying on Jakemans menthol lozenges to keep her voice sharp. Product placement or practical advice? You decide.
A nation faking positivity
The study does uncover a slightly bleaker truth: nine in ten Brits say they struggle to motivate themselves most days, and nearly four in five admit pretending to feel positive when they’re anything but. So perhaps all this quote-sharing isn’t just a trend — it’s a coping strategy.
Jakemans’ Senior Brand Manager Elizabeth Hughes-Gapper says: “It’s clear how much, as a nation, we need those motivational moments to help us get through the day or offer that little boost of confidence when we need it most… It’s clear that it’s not just what you say, but how you say it as well.”
Whether it comes from Roosevelt, RuPaul, or a random fitness influencer named Brad, the most inspirational quotes prove one thing: sometimes, a few words are enough to drag us back into the ring for another round with life — throat lozenges optional.
