50 Workplace Wellness Quotes


When we apply for a position in a company, one of the things we usually and must consider is whether our health and well-being will be taken care of. It is a significant factor given we spend the majority of our time at the workplace. On the other hand, do you think companies’ corporate wellness programs and health benefits are enough to keep you sane?

It is indeed a plus for a company when it lets its employees engage with, motivate, and support each other through their health and wellness programs. How will these effectively work for you? The answer lies in yourself. Your employer can help take care of your well-being at work, but you will need to prepare yourself first and be your motivation.

In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Opens in a new tab. revealed in its Make Wellness Your Business seriesOpens in a new tab. that an estimated 50% of all Americans have mental illnesses or disorders in their lifetime. CDC asserted having a support system in your workplace can be advantageous in identifying and treating mental illness and improving your quality of life as an employee.

You experience and feel everything at your workplace – fulfillment, failures, pride, embarrassment, eagerness, exhaustion, and many other challenges along the way. It is vital to have a network of people you can rely on, but things would work out better if you could stand on your own.

In line with this, we are listing 50 quotes from employee wellness bloggers, book authors, businesspeople, company CEOs, philosophers, scientists, and many more well-known personalities that may contribute to your workplace wellness care. This way, you will be an anchor of encouragement not only for yourself but also for your colleagues.

1. “Hire character. Train skill.”

Let us start with company bosses. Most people tend to think they are having the hardest time at work while their boss is just sipping tea or coffee, waiting for profits and recognition to come. What we all should remember is all those who are currently at the top of the ladder climbed it from down under. We all start from the bottom, and not everyone is born to have the particular skills a job requires.

It is where this statement from former Porsche CEO Peter SchutzOpens in a new tab. best applies. A healthy working environment will be on sight if good character tops the list of qualifications rather than skills.

We can perfect everything through practice and training. We might also help you monitor how well your employees are doing and how you can assist them through our articleOpens in a new tab. entitled, “How Can Corporate Leaders and Business Owners Enhance Employee Productivity”. There is no doubt knowledge and skills can be gained over time, but a great personality is something rare that helps maintain harmonious workplace relationships.

2. “If you hire people just because they can do a job, they’ll work for your money. But if you hire people who believe what you believe, they’ll work for you with blood and sweat and tears.”

This quote from British-American motivational speaker and organizational consultant Simon SinekOpens in a new tab. much supports the statement above about prioritizing good character over skills in selecting employees. Ensuring you surround yourself with people who share the same vision, goals, and values with you somehow is an excellent start to a healthy working relationship and environment.

You know you are safe physically and emotionally at your workplace if you choose your people not just to be your workers, but to be the members that make up your one dream team as well.

3. “We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

These words from French-Polish physicist and two-time Nobel Prize winner Marie CurieOpens in a new tab. imply that your knowledge and skills should always come with hard work. As always, you need to work well and double if you want something you could call your own – may it be material things, training experience, or special recognition.

4. “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and again and bring their friend.”

One of the world-renowned entrepreneurs to date, Walt DisneyOpens in a new tab., made this statement based on the success of his company. It may or may not be in a literary context. It is applicable not only in attracting customers to your business but also in producing quality output when you are in the workforce industry.

Your hard work becomes evident through the quality of your output. You grow in demand and a good influence on your colleagues along the way. Identify what you do best and keep up the excellent work. It is vital in improving your skills as well as your self-esteem and stress level.

5. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

Believe in yourself and your capabilities. Not because you have the lowest-paying job does not mean you cannot be considered a leader or innovator. The sixth president of the United States, John Quincy AdamsOpens in a new tab., believed you could be more than anything when you become an inspiration to others. If you have this mindset at work, things become lighter and more relaxed while you are on your journey to reaching your career goals.

6. “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth.”

American Nobel-Prize writer William FaulknerOpens in a new tab. may have stated this in general, but it still can be employed in maintaining workplace harmony. Excellent communication does not necessarily involve positive topics and inside jokes. Always be honest when you talk to your colleagues, especially about their performance if it is for the good of the company.

To make sure you deliver your feedback without prejudice, (we have written a related here articleOpens in a new tab. on “What Is Workplace Feedback? (How to Effectively Give Workplace Feedback)” which details the importance of helping your colleagues learn more and improve in an honest yet most beautiful way possible.

7. “You can’t change how people treat you or what they say about you. All you can do is change how you react to it.”

In every workplace, internal conflicts are inevitable. There are times when we feel like being subtly picked on by our colleagues, and there are issues we might be involved in. There are people whom we do not get along.

These words from Mahatma GandhiOpens in a new tab. imply you must always remember all your goals. Do not get distracted by the people who do not know the whole truth about you. Also, communication is critical. If you get the courage or chance to have a good talk with them, you might be able to resolve your issues and make your workplace more peaceful and healthier than ever.

8. As long as they are well-intentioned, mistakes are not a matter for shame, but for learning.

We believe young adults, specifically those who are newbies at work, are the ones who are most likely to benefit from this motivational quote from entrepreneur and business CEO Margaret HeffernanOpens in a new tab..

As fresh graduates and being new to the ‘real world,’ you tend to become more energetic and competitive than others. At the same time, you start to find working as complex and tiring. CDC identified anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health issue and revealed it was most common among young adults.

Mistakes are usual; even the old employees have them. They are not bound to embarrass you but to make your work experience more meaningful. There is always room for improvement. Embrace your mistakes and try to avoid them next time.

9. “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”

As written by American novelist Truman CapoteOpens in a new tab., failure is an essential ingredient to success. All of us in our lifetime have failed at least once in various areas. It makes succeeding extra special because all the hardships and struggles you put yourself through have paid off. It gives you a sense of fulfillment when you know you have achieved something through hard work, patience, and dedication.

10. Once you’ve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.

You might have heard this on almost everyone’s favorite series “Game of Thrones” by American novelist and television producer George R.R. MartinOpens in a new tab.. It is only having an agreement with yourself that you need to love yourself and everything that life entails. It is not an act of seeking acceptance from your colleagues, but a way of knowing what you can do and up to what extent you can do it.

11. “If something is wrong, fix it now, but train yourself not to worry. Worry fixes nothing.”

All of us have gone or go through the phase where we worry too much, to the point where it takes our whole working day just thinking about possible adverse outcomes more than potential solutions.

This quote by American journalist and Pulitzer-Prize winner Ernest HemingwayOpens in a new tab. already went straight to the point. Overthinking never resolves issues and in fact, makes things worse. Try blocking unwanted thoughts and focus on taking actions that will fix the problems you encounter in your workplace instead.

12. “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”

Using this pearl of wisdom from philosophers and religious leader BuddhaOpens in a new tab., we would like to remind you how important it is for both your physical and mental health to live by the day. You can take Mistakes in the past as lessons learned, but you can no longer go back to try and make them right. Worrying about tomorrow is neglecting what you have today.

We have established worry fixes nothing. If you keep bugging yourself with what you did yesterday and what you can do tomorrow, what you do today can be at risk, which may affect the quality of your work. Do not exhaust your mind and body with regrets and fears. Current time is a good chance to make it up from yesterday and make sure everything will be lighter tomorrow. Thus, be productive today.

13. “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourselves.”

Indian teacher and philosopher ChanakyaOpens in a new tab. acknowledged everyone makes mistakes that we all need to learn from. We must look at the errors of others not to mock them but to avoid doing them. It comes after realizing our mistakes are what make up our success, and what helps us learn more, therefore should be embraced. Make all mistakes, may it be your own or others’, a collection of knowledge for future reference.

14. “Learning never exhausts the mind.”

Italian artist Leonardo da VinciOpens in a new tab. is just among those who became a massive success because of this firm belief. Even after you graduate and land on a job, you should never stop learning. When you welcome new ideas, knowledge, and information, you sharpen your cognitive and reasoning skills, which you can be beneficial in the long term. Constant learning also means improving your memory and maintaining a healthy mind.

15. “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and snap, the job’s a game!”

This excerpt from the 1964 American musical film, “Mary PoppinsOpens in a new tab.”, helps us realize there is always something to enjoy in our jobs. Not because you want to take your responsibility seriously does not mean you cannot have fun. Most companies conduct little games and programs to make work more exciting and get people more involved. Participate and stay active. Just the act of engaging with your colleagues is already a start.

16. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.”

It is an excellent metaphor by Scottish novelist Robert Louis StevensonOpens in a new tab. that workers should contemplate on. Sometimes we overlook the struggles we go through and bravely face when the output turns out to be not as good as we want it to be. We always set the best result as a definition of success not because we are perfectionists, but because we are quality workers

On the other hand, we must not disregard how well and hard we work for the day just because of abrupt endings. You still deserve a pat on the back for taking your work seriously and genuinely wanting to accomplish well. 

17. Don’t be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don’t let others discourage you or tell you that you can’t do it.

It was one of the morals we learned from American Biochemist and Nobel Prize Winner Gertrude B. ElionOpens in a new tab.. She once told a story about people telling her women did not go into chemistry, whereas she found no reason why they could not.

No matter how hard a job looks like and how long you take in working through it, do not mind the others as long as you are doing things correctly. Always focus on your and your company’s goals. Make sure to be open for feedback, not unsolicited, and unnecessary opinions.

18. “There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: we find comfort somewhere.”

This excerpt from English novelist Jane AustenOpens in a new tab.’s Mansfield Park says it all regarding taking challenges at work well. We will always make mistakes and errors, little or huge, that will affect the whole company. What matters most is we avoid repeating them, and instead, we figure out what went wrong and learn to make things right the next time. 

19. How many times do I have to teach you? Just because something works does not mean it can’t be improved.

We have heard this from female fictional character Shuri on blockbuster hit Black PantherOpens in a new tab..

We tend to overthink, feel anxious, and get frustrated when we think everything we do fails or is wrong. It will then affect our work performance, productivity, as well as mental health. Of course, it is natural to be worried, which can be an indication you take your work seriously. However, remember it becomes unhealthy not only for you but also for the people you work with when all your thoughts emit negative energy.

Keep in mind that you cannot do everything overnight. Get inspired by V from BTSOpens in a new tab., a global boyband under Big Hit EntertainmentOpens in a new tab. which is currently a corporate giant in the foreign music industry. He once said, “It is okay to go a little slower than others. What is more important is reaching the finish line.”

20. “Do or do not. There is no try.”

You may have heard this on a completely different context from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back movie. Nonetheless, it still hits hard for us in the labor market. It is a short yet direct expression of encouraging us, employees, to be decisive about the tasks we are assigned to do. Do not let the fear of error overcome your hard work’s result.

21. “The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.”

Charles Kingsleigh said it, a character from Alice in Wonderland played by actor Marton Csokas. To put this into perspective in the simplest way, we want to ask one of the most clichés yet motivating questions: who would believe in you if you could not?

Most of the time, negative thoughts and fear of making mistakes consume us. These take a toll on how we work and how we present ourselves. It is a domino effect where you and your colleagues start to share the same negative mindset, risking an opportunity to work and improve. There is no harm in believing you can do it. Keep in mind that the moment you start working, whatever you do is not only for your benefit but also for your company’s.

22. “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

Brazilian novelist Paulo CoelhoOpens in a new tab., who is known for writing the bestseller, The Alchemist, stated this inspiring quote. It is another example of the domino effect in the workplace. Everything starts from within us. It somehow relates to Mahatma Gandhi’s “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Your workplace environment, your colleagues, and the quality of your work are greatly affected by how you take care of your health and well-being. Being a better version of yourself leads to better work output, which is most likely to inspire more workers. It is not the reward that should motivate you, but the sense of fulfillment knowing you are making a massive difference for yourself and others.

23. Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

Many companies’ ideal employees are those who are willing to work in a rapidly changing environment. For instance, BPOOpens in a new tab. company workers usually do not have a specific work schedule. Since most of their clients or managers live and work in different time zones, they have to adjust and meet their needs no matter what time it is.

We understand this is a very challenging task that also affects your sleep patterns and day-to-day lifestyle. It is why your ability to adapt to change is a gift, according to English theoretical physicist Stephen HawkingOpens in a new tab., who is also known as the former Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge.

It is not bizarre to get bored or tired of complex work conditions. To discover or improve your adaptability skills, (we did a book reviewOpens in a new tab. on The Joy of Work – 30 Ways to Fix Your Work Culture and Fall in Love with Your Job Again by Bruce Daisley), who is the European Vice President for Twitter and podcast host for Eat Sleep Work Repeat. The article is a helpful summary guide for those who feel like struggling to make their jobs more interesting and enjoyable.

24. “Very often, a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.”

We agree with English academic A.C. BensonOpens in a new tab. because we all know things do not always happen according to our plans. If you cannot change the situation, evaluate yourself, and figure out whether there is something you lack or tend to overlook that needs replacement.

Do not get stuck with the things you know you cannot control. There is nothing wrong with realizing your own mistakes and owning up to it. Functional changes at work may be from a change within oneself.

Choosing more appropriate working clothes, attending to work a little bit ahead of the start of your shift, listening more than speaking, eating healthier foods at the right time, and doing other things a little bit different the next time can help. Being adaptable to change never hurt anyone.

25. “Tough times never last, but tough people do.”

These words from American author and motivational speaker Dr. Robert SchullerOpens in a new tab. support that of A.C. Benson. It is not always a bad day at work, just as it is not still a bright one. Keep in mind you have the power over how things are going to work. They may not go as you wish, but if you stay active and do not give up on working it, you know you will win.

26. “Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost, and you see a path then by all means, you should follow that.”

American host and producer Ellen DeGeneresOpens in a new tab. hit the nail on the head with this one. It is okay to have someone you emulate serving as your inspiration to do better at work. However, since we have established the fact that you are your own person, know the direction you want to head to or to go. Everyone has working styles that may be effective for them but not for you. Take your journey and find where you are comfortable.

27. “The sun himself is weak when he first rises and gathers strength and courage as the day gets on.”

This quote from English writer and social critic Charles DickensOpens in a new tab. from his book The Old Curiosity Shop is an excellent motivator for uninspired workers. There will always be days when we do not feel like getting up from the bed and attending to work. It is usually because we are either mentally or physically tired to deal with work-related matters and be productive.

You are free to acknowledge your weariness but consider the objectives and goals you set with and for the company as well. Try and push yourself every morning and see where the day takes you. You will never know what you may accomplish and how huge your work attendance will impact your and your team’s workday.

It is why we have been stressing the significance of having an adequate amount of sleep, especially for workers. We recommend learning from Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab Director Matthew Walker, Ph.D. by reading our article “Why We Sleep – Matthew Walker, Ph.D.Opens in a new tab.” We detailed how important sleep is to our overall health and work productivity. 

28. “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. You are the one who’ll decide where to go.”

American children’s book “Oh the Places You’ll Go” author Dr. SeussOpens in a new tab. may have specialized in children’s literature, yet this excerpt still strikes working individuals. The workplace wellness programs and health cards are made available to you by your employer to express their support and care for you as its employee.

When you are struggling at work, you might think of options to get away with it. Some of them could be fixing the problem, which is the smartest move, asking for help, passing the problem on, or ignoring it altogether. You are your person, and you get to decide what your next steps should be.

29. “Don’t stay with your company if you’re not having fun.”

This advice from Dutch physicist and software company owner Wolter Smit, which he stated on his TED talk entitled “The Secret to Building a Healthy & Happy Workplace,” might sound more carefree in our heads than in action. In the end, we can only take so much, and it is ourselves who can decide when to leave.

Some reasons why we quit our jobs include the exasperating amount of time it takes to get to work and go home and the lack of compensation and benefits. Most of all, if you believe your job is causing your physical and mental health to deteriorate and you no longer have it in you to look at the positive side, you may go.

Do not be afraid to know and choose what you need and want. After all, doing things half heartedly compromises the quality of your work, the company’s goals, and your health.

We are leaving the following motivational quotes for you to contemplate on as they are since they were already asserted directly to the point:

30. Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.

31. Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won’t have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren’t even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you and have a lot more fun while they’re doing it.

  • Excerpt from Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by American nonfiction writer Anne LamottOpens in a new tab.

32. If you know you are on the right track, if you have this inner knowledge, then nobody can turn you off no matter what they say.

33. Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.

  • Excerpt from The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt by former United States First Lady Eleanor RooseveltOpens in a new tab.

34. I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.

35. We can’t take any credit for our talents. It’s how we use them that counts.

36. Your potential, the absolute best you’re capable of – that’s the metric to measure yourself against. Your standards are. Winning is not enough. People can get lucky and win. People can be assholes and win. Anyone can win but not everyone is the best possible version of themselves.

  • Excerpt from The Ego Is The Enemy by American marketer and entrepreneur Ryan HolidayOpens in a new tab.

There are some more inspirational words to boost your self-esteem and strengthen your desire to keep your job and work harder written by workplace wellness blogger Becky SquiersOpens in a new tab.:

37. Self-love is the greatest medicine.

38. Your life only gets better when you do. Work on yourself and the rest will follow.

39. Believe you can and you’re halfway there.

40. Be patient with yourself. Nothing in nature blooms all year.

41. You are your only limit.

42. Don’t let your mind bully your body.

43. It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.

44. Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take toward reaching that goal.

45. The body achieves what the mind believes.

46. You don’t get what you wish for. You get what you work for.

47. Push harder than yesterday if you want a different tomorrow.

48. A year from now, you’ll wish you had started today.

49. The fact that you aren’t where you want to be should be enough motivation.

50. Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t do.

All these words of encouragement, along with the financial and social support provided by your company, are aimed at helping you realize the importance of taking care of yourself while working. It is always a good time to work hard and live well.

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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