An article by Peter O'Brien.

I don’t know about you, however when I read a blog written by a fabulous well known Entrepreneur or I see an inspiring quote from one in an article I instantly feel motivated and focussed on working towards creating my own success.

I have some favourite people that I follow in the social media realm that I find inspiring such as Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and Steve Tisch to name a few. Quite often when I read something they have been involved in or research their life it gives me the kick in the behind to push myself to finish a project or commence the plan for a new project!

Life can be tough though and we all have plenty of less-than-perfect moments from time to time. Not even the most gifted, spontaneous, amazing and charming people live every day in the sunshine.

The same is true for entrepreneurs. Just as “bad things happen to good people,” every great entrepreneur regularly stares down the barrel of failure.

I remember reading a quote from Graham Weaver, the founder of Alpine Investors. It was an article about never giving up on goals. He directs a comment to would-be entrepreneurs that the only failures they should fear are the ones of character and effort. It’s an uncertain world, and there are only so many things you can control. Even when you’re giving 100% and doing your best to be an honourable and an ethical leader, things go wrong.

What you can control is how you deal with those setbacks. However stressful failure can be, if you pick yourself up and get back on the horse, you’ve passed the real test. We all must remember this. You may feel defeated and exhausted however when you do force yourself back in the saddle you’ll discover reserves of energy, persistence and confidence that you didn’t know you had.

Recently I was flipping through a magazine and I came across an article that contained the following ten quotes from amazing Entrepreneurs and by frequently reading them helps me to remain confident and focussed when I feel like I have turned a wrong direction or lost my way a little.

1. "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." – Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900
2. "Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance." Samuel Johnson 1709-84.
3. "Sweet are the uses of adversity." – William Shakespeare, 1564-1616
4. "When it’s darkest, men see the stars." – Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882
5. "Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom." – General George S. Patton, 1885-1945
6. "When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water." – Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790
7. "A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with the wind." – John Neal, 1793-1876
8. "Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm." – Anon
9. "He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity." – Ben Jonson, c. 1573-1637
10. "Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes playing a poor hand well." – Jack London, 1878-1916

It is words like the one’s above that inspire us. Print them off and keep them close so you too can get that little push when you need it.