Oprah Winfrey overcame poverty, an unstable home life and abuse to become a successful talk show host, producer and philanthropist.
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” was one of the highest-rated talk shows and ran for 25 consecutive years. Oprah’s words have a lot to teach us about how to deal with hardship, stay true to who you are and create the life you always wanted.
“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe.”
Oprah never let her struggles define her or limit the potential for her life in any way. Our thoughts are powerful forces and can either help you achieve the success you want, or keep you trapped in your current circumstances.
“You are responsible for your life. You can’t keep blaming somebody else for your dysfunction. Life is really about moving on.”
Difficult things are going to happen to you, but you get to decide what you make them mean. Blaming other people and using them as an excuse for your problems will only keep you stuck. If you want to be successful, you have to find a way to move on from past hurts.
“The reason I've been able to be so financially successful is my focus has never, ever for one minute been money.”
Money is created by finding a way to bring more value to other people. Oprah has helped improve the lives of millions of people, so she was able to create considerable wealth in the process.
“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”
When you become successful, a lot of people will want to jump on the bandwagon with you. But your true friends are the ones who are there for you even when things aren’t going well.
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.”
In our culture, failure is often seen as a bad thing, and too many people give up at the first sign of failure. But Oprah understood that if you want to be successful, you have to be willing to fail over and over again.
“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe.”
Oprah Winfrey
“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint — and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you. ”
You have a unique contribution to offer the world, and it’s your responsibility to find out what that is. Don’t be afraid to embrace your gifts and the things that make you unique.
“The thing you fear most has no power. Your fear of it is what has the power. Facing the truth really will set you free.”
Anything you resist will persist. The best way to overcome fear and doubt is by facing them head-on.
“One of the hardest things in life to learn is which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn.”
Everything and everyone in your life are there for a season. Don’t try to hold on to the past or resist change. Learn how to let things go and move forward.
“Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.”
Too many people waste their time and energy trying to fight reality. Don’t resist painful circumstances because they are likely there to teach you something and help you grow.
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
Whatever you’re focusing on, you’re going to create more of. So, if you focus on fear and scarcity, you’re going to create more of that in your life. The best way to live a full and abundant life is by being thankful for what you have.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
Want to read more? Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn!
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
Join us for our Small Business Day event!
Join us at our next event on Wednesday, May 1, at 12:00 p.m., where we’ll be kicking off Small Business Month alongside business experts and entrepreneurs. Register to attend in person at our Washington, D.C., headquarters, or join us virtually!
