Select Page

As we enter a new year, many of us are looking for ways to spark creativity and bring fresh ideas to our lives and work.

Quotes can keep us motivated, remind us of what’s important, and inspire us to take action.

Starting this year, I’ll share 10 of my favorite quotes from the previous year to help us get on the right track.

This quote from Patrick Rothfuss’ “The Wise Man’s Fear” is fitting to begin a new year.

"“It’s the questions we can’t answer that teach us the most. They teach us how to think. If you give a man an answer, all he gains is a little fact. But give him a question and he’ll look for his own answers.”" (Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear)
The Wise Man’s Fear

Ask the questions, my friends. And ask them of others. Even if they can’t answer, they’ll begin the hunt.

Here are nine more of my favorite quotes to kick off 2023:

Hard Days

"“To defend against failure, every day must be hard. Every day must strengthen you. For it’s in the crucible of hard days that potential becomes power.”" (Evan Winter, The Rage of Dragons)
The Rage of Dragons

The Next Step

"The most important step a man can take. It’s not the first one, is it? It’s the next one. Always the next step, Dalinar." (Brandon Sanderson , Oathbringer)
Oathbringer

Our Calling

"Rule of thumb: The more important a call or action is to our soul's evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it." (Steven Pressfield, The War of Art)
The War of Art

Hard Work

"The research proves what gamers already know: within the limits of our own endurance, we would rather work hard than be entertained." (Jane McGonigal, Reality Is Broken)
Reality is Broken

How to Change School Practice

"In reality, it is community, not technology, that offers the best chance of changing practice in schools." (Justin Reich, Failure to Disrupt)
Failure to Disrupt

Sticking Power

"“It’s not that I’m so smart,” said Einstein, who was a consummate introvert. “It’s that I stay with problems longer.”" (Susan Cain, Quiet)
Quiet

On Greatness

"But the mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital ones.”" (Brandon Sanderson, The Alloy of Law)
The Alloy of Law

Heading the Right Way

"Some people charged toward the goal, running for all they had. Others stumbled. But it wasn’t the speed that mattered. It was the direction they were going." (Brandon Sanderson, Rhythm of War)
Rhythm of War

How to Really Know Yourself

"“When things are easy a person doesn’t really learn about himself. It’s what a person does at the moment of his greatest struggle that shows him who he really is." (Robert Kurson, Shadow Divers)
Shadow Divers


The Eclectic Educator is a free resource for everyone passionate about education and creativity. If you enjoy the content and want to support the newsletter, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps keep the insights and inspiration coming!