Never limit yourself because of others' limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.
Mae JemisonRead
I've gotten this advice at different times, and it distills down to one word: purpose. Why are you here? When you start to get distracted by thoughts such as 'Do I fit in? Does this person like me?' - remember why you're there and what you want to accomplish.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of understanding your purpose in life to navigate distractions.
Mae Jemison's quote highlights that life often presents distractions and doubts related to acceptance and fitting in. However, it encourages individuals to refocus on their core purpose and goals to maintain clarity and motivation in their endeavors. This reminder serves as a guide to stay aligned with one’s true intentions and aspirations, regardless of external pressures.
Themes
PurposeDistractionMotivationGoalsIntention
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech, you can use this quote to inspire the audience to focus on their purpose.
More from Mae Jemison
All quotes →Greatness can be captured in one word: lifestyle. Life is God's gift to you, style is what you make of it.
Mae JemisonRead
To survive as a species on this planet, we're going to have to see ourselves as Earthlings.
Mae JemisonRead
We look at science as something very elite, which only a few people can learn. That's just not true. You just have to start early and give kids a foundation. Kids live up, or down, to expectations.
Mae JemisonRead
Intuitive versus analytical? That's a foolish choice. It's foolish, just like trying to choose between being realistic or idealistic. You need both in life.
Mae JemisonRead
The reality is the majority of us will not get off this planet. So the long run is, some kind of space exploration has to benefit us here on Earth.
Mae JemisonRead
Similar quotes
Speak only that which will bring you honor.
Guru NanakRead
What matters are not the truths other people tell us or the practices that we are able to mimic, but the spiritual discoveries we make through personal investigation.
AdyashantiRead
Every man must have the right fearlessly to think independently and express his opinion about what he knows, what he has personally thought about and experienced, and not merely to express with slightly different variations the opinion which has been inculcated in him.
Mstislav RostropovichRead
An exchange of empathy provides an entry point for a lot of people to see what healing feels like.
Tarana BurkeRead
The experienced writer says to the anguished novice: 'Just do it; get something, anything, on to the screen or page, just establish a flow of words, and criticise them later.' You give this advice but can't always take it.
Hilary MantelRead
I have cried even when the laugh did choke me. But no more think that I am all sorry when I cry, for the laugh he come just the same. Keep it always with you that laughter who knock at your door and say, ‘May I come in?’ is not true laughter. No! He is a king, and he come when and how he like. He ask no person, he choose no time of suitability. He say, ‘I am here.
Bram StokerRead