The modern-day Wonder Woman has been taking the world by storm since she reprised the iconic role in 2017. In fact, just one year later in 2018, Gadot was included on Time’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. 

A quick glimpse at her Instagram feed alone will inspire you to think just a little deeper, care just a little more and smile just a little wider. Here are just a few of Gadot’s quotes to inspire, encourage, and motivate you to take action so that you may live out your dreams.

“I wanted to show that women are empowered and strong, and don’t have to be saved by some male hero, but they can take care of themselves using their intelligence and their power.”

The celebration of women has been front and centre over the last several years. From the rise of the #metoo movement to the observance of International Women’s Day, women empowerment has been encouraging girls of all ages to break out and pursue their dreams. Whether it’s starting your own small business, pursuing a prestigious promotion in a male-dominated office, or learning a new skill, the opportunities are endless with the offer of boundless support. 

“I think women are amazing for being able to show what they feel. I admire women who do. I think it’s a mistake when women cover their emotions to look tough. I say let’s own who we are and use it as a strength.”

As women have begun to pursue a more vast array of occupations and pursuits, we have been taught that it’s necessary to hold back “emotional tendencies” in order to portray a strong and professional demeanour. The reality is, however, our emotions and feelings are not only an intricate facet of who we are but can also be a beneficial tool in helping us navigate both professional and personal situations. Again, we need to embrace who we are and be truly comfortable in our own skin. 

“In real life, I’m the type of girl who doesn’t take herself too seriously. I’m very serious when it comes to work, but I like to make jokes and have a good laugh and make fun of myself.” 

Life can be hard. From taking care of a family, navigating your professional aspirations, and juggling the numerous ups and downs that come your way on a daily basis often leaves all of us stressed, exhausted, and overwhelmed. It’s in those times that it’s so important to find joy and contentment in the little things that help you breathe a little easier and offer up a fresh perspective. 

“Love and generosity and affection. We need all those things more than ever today.” 

Surround yourself with relationships that build you up and fulfil you. It’s amazing how just a couple of hours with good friends or a night out with your partner can give you a whole new outlook on the issues and circumstances you may be experiencing. 

Advice for those suffering from insecurity, “Just breathe first of all, take everything in proportion, count your blessings, enjoy the here and now and don’t worry too much about tomorrow. The past is in the past.”

Failure and imperfection are part of life’s journey. Although it’s not fun, failure often leads to greater success and fulfilment for those who refuse to give up and forge ahead. Be proactive about quieting the negative voices in your head and resolving to pursue your goals uninhibited. This is another reason it’s so important to surround yourselves with positive influences who help build you up and encourage you to carry on when you feel like you have nothing left. 

“You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right,” Gadot states in reference to Rosa Parks. “An incredible message from an incredible woman. May Rosa Parks’ legacy be a reminder to us all of how a simple act of courage can change the course of history. It should encourage us to be brave, stand up for ourselves because each one of us has a part in a much larger story, the story of humankind – be it a comma, a word, or a whole chapter. Everyone can have an impact.”

This, to put it simply, needs no expounding upon. 

“I feel that I’ve got the opportunity to set a great role model for girls to look up to a strong, active, compassionate, loving, positive woman and I think it’s so important. It’s about time that somebody will do that and I’m very privileged and honoured to be the one.”

As women, we have the opportunity to lift one another up instead of constantly criticising and judging each other’s failures or even accomplishments. Insecurity seems to be a natural tendency in a lot of women. We are hard enough on ourselves without needing the help of others’ input. Make the decision to look for other women or girls whom you can mentor and help build up to realise their own dreams. Whether it’s in business, friendships, or even outreach opportunities, there’s someone out there who can benefit from your example. 

“Life is too short to blend in.”

It’s time to break the mould and embrace our differences. In this world dominated by social media, the cancer of comparison threatens to hold us back from reaching our full potential. We need to stop looking around us and start cultivating the strength within ourselves to break the mould and realise our full potential.

Thank you Ms. Gadot for setting such an empowering example for both women and men everywhere of what a real-life Wonder Woman truly encompasses.