Never be afraid to dream bigger. 5. “What I establish I am today, I will be tomorrow or in the future. Today, I am what I established I’d be yesterday or any previous day.” –James Joyce Whether it’s a project you’ve been working on for weeks or something you do every day, that sense of accomplishment is unbeatable. I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” Abraham Lincoln Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote is an ever-present reminder that the path to achieving our goals is hardly an easy one. While it may seem as though you keep spinning your wheels in your attempts to get to your next step in life, don’t mistake this struggle as stagnation. Don't assume that you have no meaningful choices in your job. Carefully examine your day-to-day routine and you may find options that you've come to take for granted. For example, if you are asked to write a report, you may be able to choose the best way to format or present it, which gives you freedom to be creative and cater to your own preferences. Even with mandatory tasks, you can let your opinions shine through.

Being proud to do our job is so important for our mental health and it’s extremely rewarding. Whether we just flat out love what we do for work, we’re changing the world, we’re working for a great company, we’re helping others or we’re making a difference, then we deserve to feel pride in our work.

Do you feel understood by your manager? Most people in your situation don't. When we feel stressed, burned out, or at odds with co-workers, we tend to feel isolated and resentful because our struggles are going unrecognized. To be clear, being autonomous at work does not mean you are entirely independent; you deserve a compassionate listener to help you through adversity and move forward. However, if you are unable to get the understanding you desire, don't give up. Try to show that you're sympathetic to how your co-workers see things and you may get some empathy in return. Let’s all take a moment to appreciate the good things about our jobs with the following inspiring quotes:

Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” Rumi It’s easy to miss the progress we’ve made if we’re not looking for it. Though growth takes time, it’s happening whether you realize it or not. Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Theodore Roosevelt Keep passion from fading by regularly reminding yourself of your accomplishments. Taking pride in the work you’ve done will reenergize your zeal and zest for life. 9. “Human progress isn’t inevitable or automatic. Every step you take towards your goal requires struggle, suffering, and sacrifice. These are the tireless efforts of dedicated individuals.” –Martin Luther King Jr.Though life may give you every reason to feel insecure about yourself, don’t fall for the trap. You’re perfect the way you are, and you have unique talents that no one else does. 7. “It requires strength to accept yourself, and to be proud of yourself when you’re aware there’s something extraordinary about you.” –Abigail Tarttelin Taking pride in your work isn’t just a way to stay motivated to keep doing work. Finding joy in what you do each day will contribute to your overall happiness, both inside and outside the workplace. And it’s not just the satisfaction of completing a task – studies have shown that having pride in your work can actually lead to better outcomes for our wellbeing.

Motivation comes from working on things we care about. It also comes from working with people we care about.” Sheryl Sandberg To you, your work may seem like second nature. However, what comes natural to you may seem impossible to others. Autonomy support happens when employees are given meaningful choices while doing their work, clear explanations for why their jobs are important, and are shown empathy by their peers and leaders. Employees in this ideal work environment approach their daily tasks with interest, enjoyment, and encouragement. Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Final Thoughts on Motivational Quotes to Help You Feel Pride in Your Accomplishments

We don’t all have to be doctors, teachers or cancer researchers – we can all make a difference and do solid, meaningful work when we love what we do.