50 inspirational quotes to help you take on 2019 with renewed hope, determination and energy

Inspirational quotes to help you ring in 2019 with positivity, hope, energy and a new determination to make it your very own year. 

India saw some landmark judgements this year from the Supreme Court, from a death sentence for the convicts in Nirbhaya’s case to the entry of women in Sabarimala. The government of India also extended maternity benefits, while women in various walks of media spearheaded the #MeToo movement that shed light on the need for a larger conversation around sexual harassment, women safety, and safer workplaces.

Women in different industries and sectors scaled new heights, be it sports, entrepreneurship, politics, art, music or science. Nadia Murad became the first Iraqi and Yazidi to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and Hima Das became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track event at the IAAF World U20 Championships. The team at HerStory cheered for every win, every landmark and milestone that was crucial to changing the status quo for women. As we bid adieu to 2018, here are some quotes that will not only inspire but arm you with enough positivity to take on the new year with more energy, joy and determination to transform. Let’s march on!

Intersectionality is approaching everything in life with the basic understanding that there are many layers to one's identity. - Ardra, artist

The answer to becoming a more inclusive society starts with the actual ‘do-ing’, which requires more than awareness. Empathy must be turned into accountability. - Zafer Elcik, Otsimo

Diversity initiatives at Indian corporations have yet to show significant impact on the ground. - Priyanka Aggarwal, BCG

Only a woman can prevent a tech-dominated world from becoming robot-like. - Pria Randolph, Bitgram

Mentors are meant to give clarity to the inner voice rather than dictate it. - Meena Ganesh, Portea Medical

If the life of one girl changes through education, she changes three families – one, her own, second the in which she gets married into, and third the one she builds. - Vinod Gupta, Hillary Rodham Clinton Nursing School

Women comprise only 3 percent of aviation CEOs and 6 percent pilots are female. Even though the front line and lower-level female staff account for 50 percent of the total strength, the pipeline starts tapering towards the top. - ElsaMarie D’Silva, Red Dot Foundation

Whatever change will happen is going to be with everyone’s involvement. But it will take time. - Aditi Gupta, Menstrupedia

In the word entrepreneurship - E is for empathy. - Shikha Uberoi, Indi.com

Being an entrepreneur isn’t an easy task. You need to work every single day and minute, and it isn’t for everyone. - Mona Ataya, Mumzworld

If you are a woman connected to the venture capital world, then this is the time and opportunity for you to do your bit and make things better for a new generation of women entrepreneurs. - Madhurima Agarwal, NetApp

It’s wise to build parallel networks, one a more close-knit peer-driven, and another, a more open-group which you keep expanding by meeting industry leaders and domain experts. - Manisha Raisinghani, LogiNext

When starting a new venture, it is just as important to keep the momentum going once the initial phase of excitement has passed. - Jacqueline Fernandez, Just*F

A strong woman will not only build her family but also build a nation, provided she is supported and praised. - Hansa Sinha, Genesys Consulting

As you move up the organisation, requirements for leading that organisation don’t grow vertically, they grow exponentially. – Indra Nooyi, Pepsico

If you believe in your idea, keep the flame burning and looking for ways to make it work. - Sunita Maheshwari, Teleradiology Solutions

Nothing pushes you forward like the voice that comes from within. - Upasana Taku, MobiKwik

Life is about more than your career, it's about you and how you grow and that will have an effect on the people around you. Create your legacy. - Jamie Graham, Who Knows Wins

Remember you can have it all, but not at the same time. - Barbara Novick, BlackRock

It’s all about the people you meet in life – they can either motivate you or break you. You need to keep going in the right direction and meet people who are good for you. - Rashael Kanwal, skiing champion

Focus on solving just one problem with such precision that you become the best in the world to solve it! – Neha Jain, Z Nation Lab

I don't think the ceiling has been completely cracked, but it is not hanging by very much. - Melanne Verveer, Georgetown University

With capabilities and good performance, you can make the glass ceilings disappear. - Shefali Saxena, Louis Berger

If we stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by what we are, we can all be freer. – Emma Watson

Everyone is born to achieve something in their lives. - Sneha Mehta, Kukoon The Label

Within you lies the immense potential to reverse negativity, optimise your future, focus on your plans and achieve the success that you were meant to have. - Reeta Gupta, ‘Rescript Your Life'

To deal with the war outside, you have to deal with the war inside. - Rajesh Bhat, Iron Lady

It only takes one voice, at the right pitch, to start an avalanche. - Dianna Hardy

Go for it – if it’s an obstacle it means you’re nearly there! - Vanitaa Bhatia, DIVAlicious

Learn about the world, the ways of life, introspection and retrospection. - Medha Joseph, Embarq

You have got to want to be the best before you can even begin to reach that goal. - Billie Jean King

You need to hustle every day of your life. You aren't half the person you can be if you aren’t doing five things. – Neha Dhupia

History has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own. – Michelle Obama

Investing in oneself is to nurture both your mind and body, and it allows you to have more ideas, more knowledge, more compassion, greater strength and mental endurance. - Shalini Prakash, 500 Startups

Experience is always the best teacher. - Anukeerthy Vas, Miss India 2018

Only by listening to your soul will you be able to move forward. - Natasha Diddee

If you do something that’s extremely sincere and put in your best effort, you will not fail. - Swapna Dutt, 'Mahanati'

Passion comes from action. It comes from trying out a zillion things. - Geetika Saigal, 'Finding Your G Spot in Life'

Winning a war doesn’t mean killing the enemy, but winning the enemy. - Nihari Mandli, Burn Survivor Mission Saviour Trust

From adversity comes success. When you are faced with insurmountable challenges, know that you are being honed for something great. - Sangita Desai, Raw Nature Company

One gets bruised but if there is a strong faith in one’s abilities and the cause, then one starts loving these scars and struggles. That love for scars and struggles is what ensures success. - Shipra Dawar, ePsyClinic

There is so much capability in each of us, and tech provides the opportunity for us to claim that visibility. - Anubha Verma, RentSher

Resist perfectionism. When you set unrealistic goals for yourself, you’re setting yourself up to fall short. - Dr Rachna Singh, CK Birla Hospital

Every day starts with a new challenge. Every sunset gives new achievement. - Ranjana Bansal, Ashok Auto

Make every moment a work of art. Make every moment move you one step forward towards your dream and purpose. - Sara Blakely, Spanx

What’s your favourite one? Tell us in the comments section below.