Vince Lombardi could be considered the godfather of all coaches. His focus, determination and ability to inspire was second to none.

The quotes that Lombardi provided over the years are as legendary as the man himself.

Though his profession was as a football coach, his leadership, and these 7 quotes provided by him, were ultimately more than just about a game, they were about life. These quotes inspire me and I hope that they inspire you too.

Here are my 7 favorite motivational quotes by Vince Lombardi:

Quote #1:

“The spirit, the will to win, and the will to endure are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.”

This quote to me reaches far beyond football and is a great description of the individuals both near to us and afar that create influence and motivation in our lives. The best of mankind can be summed up in this quote and speaks all the way from world leaders to those less fortunate.

Where there is a strong will, and great determination, we become capable of continuing to move forward. Life is about progress and not perfection.

Quote #2:

“Coaches who can outline plays on a blackboard are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate.”

I’ve played a wide variety of sports my whole life and definitely found this to be true. This insight from Lombardi reaches beyond the playing field as the best leaders I have ever worked for, or have had as mentors, have found a way to dig deeper into your true essence. This is where real motivation happens which cannot be replicated on a drawing board or a memo.

Quote #3:

“To achieve success, whatever the job we have, we must pay the price.”

I look at this in my life the same as the idea that anything that is given to us must be earned. Nothing comes for free and success will never just be handed to us. The idea of achieving anything whether it be in a career, relationships or personal goals will not come without heartache and strife. The challenges that are presented on the road to success is what makes it that much sweeter.

Quote #4:

“Success is based upon a spiritual quality, a power to inspire others.”

The best man I’ve ever worked for could inspire us in more ways than I even think we realized. When the spirit is strong and and the ability to inspire comes naturally, true leadership is able to shine.

You however might be the one who has the ability to inspire others and this gift should not be taken lightly. To me there is no greater person than the man or woman that can bring the best out of others.

Quote #5:

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”

Believe it or not one of the most passionate people I had ever met was a man who sold potatoes at a large farmers market in London, England. In his mind he could have been selling Rolls Royces as his devotion and passion to something so simple translated into an enthusiasm that many found addicting.

He was so dedicated and committed to his chosen field that you couldn’t help but envy the passion he had for his work and ultimately his own life. Again, even though it was potatoes, you knew this man woke up each day knowing he was living his passion and serving his purpose.

Quote #6:

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.”

This quote has really applied to me as I’ve noticed how true, and dangerous, it really is. Quitting is like a cheap drug that provides some relief but hurts you in the long run. The problem with quitting is that it has a domino effect that leads to a long running pattern.

When feelings of quitting rear their ugly head it becomes the time when you really need to put your head down and push through. If you can make this reaction to it a new habit, the urge to quit WILL pass.

Quote #7:

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”

To me this is the ultimate Vince Lombardi quote, so simple yet so profound. Even though this has a direct connection to football, or any other sport, it is so much more about life. To pretend you are not going to get taken down a peg or two over the course of your life is to be pretty blind to reality.

We know we are going to get knocked down, that’s not the issue, the issue is our response to this adversity. In the response you find true perseverance and, at its core, your true character.

What is your favorite Vince Lombardi quote? Which Vince Lombardi quote would you add to this list?