Chris Gardner is an American businessman, investor, stockbroker, motivational speaker, author, and philanthropist who, during the early 1980s, struggled with homelessness while raising his toddler son, Christopher Gardner Jr. Gardner’s book of memoirs, The Pursuit of Happyness, was published in May 2006. The 2006 motion picture The Pursuit of Happyness, directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith is based on the book. He was CEO of his own stock brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co, which he founded in 1987, based in Chicago, Illinois until he sold his share in 2006 to found Christopher Gardner International Holdings. Then in 2012, just before his wife’s death, she challenged him to find true happiness and fulfillment in the remainder of his life. He now travels all over the world 200 days a year as a motivational speaker. Gardner has spoken in over 50 countries. May his quotes inspire you to take action so that you may live your dreams.
1. “I was homeless but I wasn’t hopeless. I knew a better day was coming.” Chris Gardner
2. “Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me.” Chris Gardner
3. “You got a dream you got to protect it.” Chris Gardner
4. “People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it.” Chris Gardner
5. “The secret to success: find something you love to do so much, you can’t wait for the sun to rise to do it all over again.” Chris Gardner
6. “The world is your oyster. It’s up to you to find the pearls.” Chris Gardner
7. “It can be done but you have to make it happen.” Chris Gardner
8. “If you believe you can do it, you will.” Chris Gardner
9. “Do something that makes you happy and makes you feel good about yourself.” Chris Gardner
10. “You want something, go get it. Period.” Chris Gardner
11. “There is no plan B for passion.” Chris Gardner
12. “Baby steps count, as long as you are going forward. You add them all up, and one day you look back and you’ll be surprised.” Chris Gardner
13. “Start where you are.” Chris Gardner
14. “It’s okay to fail; it’s not okay to quit.” Chris Gardner
15. “Others may question your credentials, your papers, your degrees. Others may look for all kinds of ways to diminish your worth. But what is inside you no one can take from you or tarnish.” Chris Gardner
16. “Claim ownership of your dreams.” Chris Gardner
17. “If you don’t take the necessary steps to make them happen, dreams are just mirages that mess with your head.” Chris Gardner
18. “I am strong because I’ve been weak. I am fearless because I’ve been afraid. I am wise because I’ve been foolish.” Chris Gardner
19. “Walk the walk and go forward all the time.” Chris Gardner
20. “You can only depend on yourself. The cavalry ain’t coming.” Chris Gardner
21. “You have to be bold.” Chris Gardner
22. “Every finish line is the beginning of a new race.” Chris Gardner
23. “The most inspiring leaders are not those who do their job but those who pursue a calling.” Chris Gardner
24. “I hold one thing dearer than all else: my commitment to my son” Chris Gardner
25. “Ready or not, tell yourself to jump.” Chris Gardner
26. “Strong people stand up for themselves, the strongest people stand up for others.” Chris Gardner
27. “This part of my life, this little part is called happiness.” Chris Gardner
28. “Do something that you love.” Chris Gardner
29. “The future was uncertain, absolutely, and there were many hurdles, twists, and turns to come, but as long as I kept moving forward, one foot in front of the other, the voices of fear and shame, the messages from those who wanted me to believe that I wasn’t good enough, would be stilled.” Chris Gardner
30. “Your struggle is not an excuse, it’s your ammunition.” Chris Gardner
31. “Always, always pursue happiness.” Chris Gardner
32. “One of the things young people always ask me about is what is the secret to success. The secret is there is no secret. It’s the basics. Blocking and tackling.” Chris Gardner
33. “(The movie) is the story of my life, but it’s not about me. It’s about anybody who ever dreamed big and had someone tell them, ‘No, you can’t do it.’ You can.” Chris Gardner
34. “You know how mountains get moved? Everyone who can move a couple, move a couple. Those who can move rocks, move rocks. Those who can move boulders, move boulders. That’s how mountains get moved. If every one of us did everything we could, I believe we would be in a different world.” Chris Gardner
35. “Make your vision larger than yourself.” Chris Gardner
36. “Then again, what seems like nothing in the eyes of the world, when properly valued and put to use, can be among the greatest riches.” Chris Gardner
37. “The balance in your life is more important than the balance in your checking account.” Chris Gardner
38. “Without that sense of self, no amount of paper, no pedigree, and no credentials can make you legit. No matter what, you have to feel legit inside first.” Chris Gardner
39. “As busy as I am wherever I am, I try to get out and walk the streets, to remember how far I’ve come and appreciate every baby step of the way.” Chris Gardner
40. “It’s your responsibility to pursue what matters.” Chris Gardner
41. “Still a dreamer, yet more of a realist than ever before, I knew this was my time to sail. On the horizon I saw the shining future, as before. The difference now was that I felt the wind at my back. I was ready.” Chris Gardner
42. “Though my mom had too many of her own dreams denied, deferred and destroyed, she instilled in me that I could have dreams. And not just have dreams but had a responsibility to make them a reality. My mom taught me from a very early age that I could do anything I wanted to do.” Chris Gardner
43. “Do something that makes you feel your work is significant and meaningful. ” Chris Gardner
44. “No matter how much money is involved or no matter how easy it is for you to do, if you’re not happy, you are nothing more than a slave to your talent and money.” Chris Gardner
