Who better to offer guidance and wisdom to help you navigate your twenties than some of the world’s most accomplished professionals? These industry leaders have made waves in their respective fields, and their insights can serve as invaluable lessons for personal and professional growth. Check out these 15 pieces of career advice and inspirational quotes from successful people who truly know what’s up.
1. Oprah Winfrey on Success.
“What I know for sure is if you want success, you can’t make success your goal. The key is not to worry about being successful, but to instead work towards being significant, and the success will naturally follow.”
Success is a by-product of meaningful work. Focus on making an impact, and the rewards will come.
2. Steve Jobs on Embracing Failure.
“The penalty for failing here, for going and trying to start a company in this Valley, is non-existent... You’ve gained all this valuable experience, in many disciplines.”
Don’t fear failure—embrace it as a learning experience. Every setback provides an opportunity for growth and innovation.
3. Barbara Walters on Hard Work.
“Work harder than everybody. You’re not going to get it by whining… You’re going to get it by being there.”
Success requires relentless effort. Show up, stay committed, and outwork the competition.
4. Adele on Following Your Path.
“We all feel like we were in this weird sort of limbo phase… You need to decide which road you want to go down.”
Your journey is unique—don’t be afraid to take risks and choose the path that feels right for you.
5. Barack Obama on Progress.
“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.”
Consistency is key. Small steps taken daily lead to significant achievements over time.
6. Anthony Bourdain on Punctuality.
“Always be on time. It is a simple demonstration of discipline, good work habits, and most importantly, respect for other people.”
Respect others by valuing their time. Being punctual speaks volumes about your character.
7. Lin-Manuel Miranda on Overcoming Pain.
“You’re trying to avoid going through pain, or causing pain. I’m here to tell you that you’ll have to survive it if you want to be any kind of artist.”
Growth often comes from struggle. Use challenges as fuel for creativity and innovation.
8. Sheryl Sandberg on Passion.
“Find work you love… Keep trying and you will find what you love to do… and once you do, you will crush it.”
Pursue what excites you. Passion-driven work leads to fulfilment and success.
9. Tina Fey on Competition.
“You’re not in competition with other women. You’re in competition with everyone.”
Focus on being the best version of yourself rather than comparing yourself to others.
10. Warren Buffett on Surrounding Yourself with Greatness.
“It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.”
Surround yourself with ambitious, driven individuals who inspire you to grow.
11. Mark Zuckerberg on Teamwork.
“No person knows how to deal with everything… find people who share your passion… and that’s what’s really going to get you through.”
Collaboration and support from a strong network are essential to success.
12. Ivanka Trump on Hiring Smart
“Make certain the people around you have good values, good judgment, and are loyal… Most important, hire people smarter than you!”
The right team can make or break your success. Choose wisely.
13. Theodore Roosevelt on People Skills.
“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”
Strong relationships are a cornerstone of success—invest in your interpersonal skills.
14. Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Making a Difference.
“If you don’t do something outside yourself… that will make life a little better for other people, you’re not really a true professional.”
True success comes from using your talents to create positive change.
15. Phil Knight on Managing Chaos.
“There is an immutable conflict at work in life and in business, a constant battle between peace and chaos… How you go about that is the key to success.”
Balance is essential. Learn to navigate uncertainty while staying focused on your goals.