Encouraging Habit Quotes for You—Because You’re Already on the Right Path
So, you searched for habit quotes. That tells me something—you care about change. Maybe you’re trying to build a habit, break a bad one, or just looking for a spark of motivation.
Whatever brought you here, I want you to remember this: You’re already on the right track. Even just thinking about habits means you’re moving in the right direction.
Building habits isn’t about being perfect every day. It’s about showing up, even when it’s messy. And on the days when you feel stuck, sometimes the right words can help you take that next step.
Here are five quotes that I hope will give you that little nudge forward.
1. "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become." – James Clear
This one hits deep, doesn’t it? Every small choice—drinking a glass of water, writing one sentence, taking a five-minute walk—is a tiny vote for the future version of you.
James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, came up with this idea after studying how habits shape identity. He realized that people don’t stick to habits just because they want to achieve something. They stick to them when those habits become who they are.
So instead of saying, "I want to be a runner," tell yourself, "I am someone who runs." Instead of "I should read more," say, "I’m a reader."
👉 You’re already becoming that person. Just keep voting for them.
2. "We become what we repeatedly do." – Will Durant
This one is often misattributed to Aristotle, but it actually comes from historian Will Durant. He was summarizing Aristotle’s philosophy on how excellence isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a habit.
Think about the most talented people in the world. They don’t get there because of one big moment. It’s the little things they do, over and over, that make them great.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up.
👉 Want to master something? Make it a habit. Even if it’s just five minutes a day.
3. "A year from now, you’ll wish you had started today." – Karen Lamb
Oof. This one stings a little, right? We’ve all had those "I’ll start tomorrow" moments—only to realize six months (or a year… or five years) have passed, and we’re still in the same place.
Karen Lamb, a writer who focused on personal growth, put it so simply: time will pass anyway. The only question is whether you’ll be glad you started or regret that you didn’t.
But here’s the good news—you can start now. Not next Monday. Not on the first of the month. Today. Even if it’s small. Even if it’s messy.
👉 A year from now, you’ll be so glad you did.
4. "Fall seven times, stand up eight." – Japanese Proverb
There’s something quietly powerful about this one. It’s a common saying in Japan (七転び八起き, nanakorobi yaoki), and it’s all about resilience. No matter how many times you stumble, you always get back up.
You might have tried to build a habit before and failed. Maybe more than once. That’s okay. No one gets it right the first time. Or the second. Or sometimes the tenth.
The difference between success and giving up? Just getting back up.
👉 It’s not about never falling. It’s about always standing back up.
5. "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now." – Chinese Proverb
I love this one. It’s the ultimate "no more excuses" quote. Sure, maybe you should have started earlier. Maybe you wish you had. But guess what? You can’t change that.
What you can change is today.
You’re not too late. You’re not behind. You’re exactly where you need to be. The only thing that matters is what you do next.
👉 So go plant that tree.
Final Thoughts: You’re Already on Your Way
If you’re reading this, it means you’re already thinking about habits. And that means you care. That’s step one. Now, it’s just about taking those tiny steps forward.
Some days will be easy. Some won’t. That’s okay. Just keep casting those little votes for the person you want to be.
📌 Save this for the days when you need a reminder. Because you’re already doing something great—just by trying.
