--- title: 40 Inspiring Motivational Quotes About Gratitude description: Sometimes, a totally different perspective can be found in a few simple words canonical: https://time.com/3449533/gratitude-quotes/ author: TIME article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2014-09-30T14:28:54.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-02-21T10:29:22.341Z article:section: World og:title: 40 Inspiring Motivational Quotes About Gratitude og:description: Sometimes, a totally different perspective can be found in a few simple words og:url: https://time.com/3449533/gratitude-quotes/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt75607f53ab10710e/6986845c169ab066d5278218/oprah-1280x720.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Oprah 1280X720 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 40 Inspiring Motivational Quotes About Gratitude twitter:description: Sometimes, a totally different perspective can be found in a few simple words twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt75607f53ab10710e/6986845c169ab066d5278218/oprah-1280x720.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 40 Inspiring Motivational Quotes About Gratitude > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=4a2556ed-3e46-4fb8-b85b-c6f5a269e6e8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=4a2556ed-3e46-4fb8-b85b-c6f5a269e6e8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=4a2556ed-3e46-4fb8-b85b-c6f5a269e6e8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=4a2556ed-3e46-4fb8-b85b-c6f5a269e6e8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=4a2556ed-3e46-4fb8-b85b-c6f5a269e6e8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=4a2556ed-3e46-4fb8-b85b-c6f5a269e6e8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=4a2556ed-3e46-4fb8-b85b-c6f5a269e6e8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=4a2556ed-3e46-4fb8-b85b-c6f5a269e6e8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) by [Inc.](https://time.com/author/inc/) ## Inc. Sep 30, 2014 2:28 PM UTC  by [Inc.](https://time.com/author/inc/) ## Inc. Sep 30, 2014 2:28 PM UTC _This post is in partnership with Inc., which offers useful advice, resources and insights to entrepreneurs and business owners. The article below was originally published at_ [_Inc.com_](http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/40-inspiring-motivational-quotes-about-gratitude.html)_._ _By Jeff Haden_ Whatever your definition of success ([everyone’s definition of success is and should be different](http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/the-only-definition-of-success-that-matters.html)), we all want more. That desire for more can blind us to what we already have–and should be grateful for. Here are 40 quotes about gratitude that will not only remind you that what you have is pretty awesome, but will also, I hope, spur you to express that [gratitude](http://www.inc.com/jay-steinfeld/recover-lost-business-art-of-gratitude.html) to the people who deserve it most. 1. “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”_William Arthur Ward_ 2. “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” _G.K. Chesterton_ 3. “‘Enough’ is a feast. _Buddhist proverb_ 4. “If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.” _Robert Quillen_ 5. “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” _Robert Brault_ 6. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” _John F. Kennedy_ 7. “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” _Charles Dickens_ 8. “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” _Eckhart Tolle_ 9. “If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.” _Frank A. Clark_ 10. “If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily.” _Gerald Good_ 11. “Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” _Melody Beattie_ 12. “The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.” _Michael Josephson_ 13. “Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” _Fred De Witt Van Amburgh_ 14. “The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.” _Charles Schwab_ 15. “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” _Epictetus_ 16. “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” _Albert Schweitzer_ 17. “The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.” _William James_ 18. “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.” _Oprah Winfrey_ 19. “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.” _Buddha_ 20. “Silent gratitude isn’t very much to anyone.” _Gertrude Stein_ 21. “Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” _Henri Frederic Amiel_ 22. “You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” _Ralph Waldo Emerson_ 23. “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” _Willie Nelson_ 24. “It is impossible to feel grateful and depressed in the same moment.” _Naomi Williams_ 25. “One can never pay in gratitude; one can only pay ‘in kind’ somewhere else in life.”_Anne Morrow Lindbergh_ 26. “Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.” _John Wooden_ 27. “No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” _Alfred North Whitehead_ 28. “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” _A.A. Milne_ 29. “Forget yesterday–it has already forgotten you. Don’t sweat tomorrow–you haven’t even met. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift–today.”_Steve Maraboli_ 30. “We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.” _Neal A. Maxwell_ 31. “In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” _Dietrich Bonhoeffer_ 32. “The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.” _John E. Southard_ 33. “I truly believe we can either see the connections, celebrate them, and express gratitude for our blessings, or we can see life as a string of coincidences that have no meaning or connection. For me, I’m going to believe in miracles, celebrate life, rejoice in the views of eternity, and hope my choices will create a positive ripple effect in the lives of others. This is my choice.” _Mike Ericksen_ 34. “Gratitude also opens your eyes to the limitless potential of the universe, while dissatisfaction closes your eyes to it.” _Stephen Richards_ 35. “Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.” _Robert Braathe_ 36. “They both seemed to understand that describing it was beyond their powers, the gratitude that spreads through your body when a burden gets lifted, and the sense of homecoming that follows, when you suddenly remember what it feels like to be yourself.” _Tom Perrotta_ 37. “Gratitude is more of a compliment to yourself than someone else.” _Raheel Farooq_ 38. “Keep your eyes open and try to catch people in your company doing something right, then praise them for it.” _Tom Hopkins_ 39. “In life, one has a choice to take one of two paths: to wait for some special day–or to celebrate each special day.” _Rasheed Ogunlaru_ 40. “This a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” _Maya Angelou_ ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3449533/gratitude-quotes/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3449533/gratitude-quotes/"},"headline":"40 Inspiring Motivational Quotes About Gratitude","datePublished":"2014-09-30T14:28:54.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-21T10:29:22.341Z","description":"Sometimes, a totally different perspective can be found in a few simple words","url":"https://time.com/3449533/gratitude-quotes/","keywords":["Careers & Workplace","Careers","Self-Improvement","Leadership","inspiration"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt75607f53ab10710e/6986845c169ab066d5278218/oprah-1280x720.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Inc.","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/inc/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt75607f53ab10710e/6986845c169ab066d5278218/oprah-1280x720.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Oprah 1280X720","caption":"","creditText":"","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/careers-workplace/","name":"Careers & Workplace"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3449533/gratitude-quotes/","name":"40 Inspiring Motivational Quotes About Gratitude"}}]}] ```