From having a tough day at the office, to dipping sales or losing a valuable client – business owners face new challenges, disappointments and frustrations every day. Rising above the day-to-day pressures of running a business is difficult, and in the face of all of these pressures it can be difficult to stay motivated – especially if you’re feeling worn down and tired out by the daily grind.

However, staying positive in the face of disappointments and defeats can help SME owners to keep driving forward.

So how have some of the best and the brightest kept going? We’ve all been sucked into an inspiring Ted talk or two, but for SME owners who don’t have time to watch a 40 minute lecture, an inspiring quote is be the perfect business pick-me-up.

Inspirational quotes may have become known for being the domain of clichés, but there are nuggets of wisdom to be found when you’re looking in the right place.

This infographic by Opus Energy lists some of the most noteworthy quotes from entrepreneurs, sports personalities and media moguls to help inspire entrepreneurs and innovators on the importance of never giving up. These born winners and never-say-die’rs have been there, done that – and you can learn a lot from these words of wisdom, just as much as the failures and successes of other entrepreneurs.

It’s clear that possessing a never-say-die attitude can take a business further than anyone would predict. Take Lord Alan Sugar – worth an estimated £1.4 billion, but he wasn’t born into that wealth. Starting from humble beginnings, Lord Sugar relied on his entrepreneurial attitude in his younger days, which has helped him to build towards his status today as a business magnate.

And sometimes, the foundations of success are built on failure – just ask Michael Jordan, who used his failings as the motivation to drive him to perfect his art. Wayne Gretzky, considered the greatest hockey player of all time, could also tell you about the importance of persistence, self-belief and confidence in the face of adversity.

After all, in the words of Bill Gates – “Patience is a key element of success.”