Everyone knows Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of United States, the one who signed the Emancipation Proclamation which freed the slaves within the Confederacy in 1863 and also according to Hollywood, a vampire hunter.

Over the years, his stories have been used in several best-selling books including “How to win friends and influence people” by Dale Carnegie and “Give and Take” by Adam Grant.

There are a lot of life lessons we can learn from Abraham Lincoln’s stories. But today, we are going to learn some lessons just from his notable quotes.

1. Develop a positive mindset

“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” -Abraham Lincoln

If you have read Stephen R. Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, you will understand the lesson within this quote.

Most of the time, the problem itself is not the real problem. The way you perceive the problem is the real problem.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can hurt you without your consent.”

To put it simply, you are the one who decides how you respond to the circumstances you face.

If you make up your mind to be positive, you will see positives in the negative events.

“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” -Buddha

Your mindset influences how you perceive a problem. A positive mindset brings positive outcomes and vice versa.

Be proactive.

Don’t blame anything on circumstances. You will be happy if you make up your mind to be happy.

“And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln

2. Prepare yourself

“I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” – Abraham Lincoln

If you want to succeed one day, preparations are what you need to do right now. When an opportunity comes, it won’t last long.

If you’re not fully prepared to grab it, you will miss the opportunity. But if you’ve done your part and are prepared, you can seize the opportunity and make a difference in your life.

If you prepare, your chance will come eventually. Remember, chances come and go in life, the difference is whether one is ready to seize it.

When it comes, seize it and prove yourself. If you fail to prepare, there may be chances for you, but will you be able to grab it?

Let’s take a look at what Benjamin Franklin has to say: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” -Benjamin Franklin

Apparently, he agrees. As the quote says, if you fail to prepare, then you will certainly be facing failure in your near future. So, start preparing right now, as long as you’re not preparing to fail!

3. It is okay to be slow, just keep moving forward

“I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back.” – Abraham Lincoln

Being fast doesn’t mean anything.

Was the Great Pyramid built in a short time? No! According to the ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, it took 20 years to build the pyramid.

Success never happens overnight.

When we are faced with hardship, we often choose the easiest way which is giving up. It is easy to quit.

It’s probably the easiest thing to do, but it won’t get you elsewhere.

Instead of giving up, we should move forward. Never do anything that will drag your progress backwards.

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” -Confucius

It is okay to be slow in your progress as long as you don’t stop. Move forward step by step, and one day you will be shocked by how far you have come.

4. Don’t wait for your dreams to happen, make it happen

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” -Abraham Lincoln

Your future is created by what you do today. Start doing what is necessary to achieve your dreams today.

You want to be a healthy person in the future? Start exercising today and eat a healthy diet. It is just that simple.

Create your future, don’t wait for it.

You want to be successful in your career? Stop dreaming and start taking action.

Success won’t just come and look for you. You have to go out there, work hard, and chase after it.

Amelia Earhart once said, “The most effective way to do it is to do it”.

The best way to create your desired future is to do what is necessary right now.

What you desire for your future will always come true if you create it yourself. Know, that you are the one who is in charge of your future.

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” – Abraham Lincoln

5. Be a generous person

“Whatever you are, be a good one.”- Abraham Lincoln

No matter who you are, always strive to be a kind person. Be a giver, not a taker. Be generous.

Helping others will lead you towards success. In the process of helping others, you will be learning yourself.

You will become better in that field, and more importantly, you will build up positive relationships with others.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston S. Churchill

Have you ever felt bad after helping others? Of course not!

If you help people genuinely, it will make you feel better while also boosting your self-esteem.

Scientific studies have proven that helping others, leads to a higher level of happiness in a person.

Never request anything in return when you help others, instead tell them to pay it forward to some other person who needs help.  Also, have faith in karma!

Abraham Lincoln is a very admirable human being. If there are any quotes by Abraham Lincoln, that have helped you at a certain time in your life, please feel free to share them below!