Ten Inspirational Quotes for the Overly Ambitious is a collection of quotes I have discovered over the years. These quotes come from a variety of backgrounds including some of my favorite actors, opera singers, CEOs and writers. They all have had a significant impact on me, in my personal and professional life. I hope you enjoy them and are able to apply what speaks the most to you, in your life.

"The thing about me is, I'm not afraid to die on the treadmill. You may have more talent than me, you may be smarter than me, but if we get on the treadmill together, there are two things that will happen; You are going to get off first or I am going to die on the treadmill." - Will Smith

"There's a redemptive power that making a choice has, rather than feeling like you're at effect to all the things that are happening. Make a choice. Decide what it's gonna be, who you're gonna be—you just decide. And then from that point, the universe is going to get out your way." - Will Smith (Quote inspired by Paulo Coelho from my favorite all time book, "The Alchemist.")

You are the five people you spend the most time with. I think this is an incredible quote that is often overlooked when applied to our personal lives. You must be so incredibly picky about whom you spend your personal time with whether that is friendships or even relationships. I mean, especially, relationships. Who you end up marrying contributes a large portion to your overall happiness in life. Choose your partner and your friends wisely. Surround yourself with people who have dreams and ambition. They will lift you higher.

If you wait until you are ready, you may end up waiting your entire life.

Being realistic is the most common traveled road to mediocrity. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. Be the friend you want to meet. "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people do that, but the really great can make you feel that you too can be great." - Mark Twain

"I'd rather choke on greatness than nibble on mediocrity.

I'm always astounded about how many people are afraid to ask for something. The worse thing that can ever happen is you receive a no! Ah, but what if you get a yes? That could change your life.

This is kind of my chance to be a little snarky. I'm always inspired by people who have a massive workload and continue to maintain a positive attitude. That's inspiring. We all know people who have a large workload and consistently complain about it. That's not really loving what you do. It's important to realize that great things often do not come easily. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Being great takes work and sacrifice. It's important you come to terms with that when beginning your journey. Challenge yourself instead of complaining to mention something positive about all the energy and work you are putting into accomplishing your dreams. While times can get hard, even unbearable, it's not the load, but how you carry it. People will take note of that.

The world isn't actually against you. The only thing that can possibly be against you is yourself. Your biggest challenge is not someone else. It's the ache in your lungs, the burning in your legs, and the voice inside that says "I can't." You cannot listen. You must press onward and you must push harder. Then one day, you will be able to hear the voice whisper, "I can." And you discover that the person you thought you were, is really no match for the person you are.

I'm going to end this article with a quote from one of my favorite opera singers, Renee Flemming. It comes directly from her book, "The Inner Voice," which by the way is a must-read for anyone. I came across the book during my time teaching opera at a local music school in the Tampa Bay area. It remains today as one of my all time favorite quotes that can not only be applied to the opera world, but for anyone who has a dream and believes in themselves under all odds.

"The story of my singing has a plot not unlike those of the horse novel I loved in my youth: A child finds a wild horse, whose true potential only she can see. She loves it and cares for it, trains it tirelessly. The girl and the horse have a commitment to each other that no one else can get in the way of. She sticks by the horse through injury and doesn’t believe anyone who says 'the horse is all washed up.' When the horse is thriving, she turns down all offers to sell it off. In the end, the horse proves to be a winner, and in return for her work and devotion, it takes her to victories she had never dreamed possible. This is the story of how I found my voice, of how I work to shape it, and of how it, in turn, shaped me."