New Beginnings Quotes From MasterClass Instructors

A new beginning is an opportunity to transition into a new chapter of life. A new start might involve a career change, a relationship shift, or a big move. The new year is a temporal landmark and a popular time for people to take stock of their life, let go of things that do not serve them, and have a fresh start. It can feel challenging to embark on a new journey; a fresh start requires courage and openness to experience.

If you want to start fresh, consider the following inspirational quotes about approaching a new beginning from MasterClass instructors:

1. 1. Elaine Welteroth: TV host Elaine Welteroth believes in manifesting change. “When you say, ‘This is what I want,’ I believe that you then create this powerful invitation, by which you attract experiences and opportunities that you might feel you're not even ready for,” Elaine says. “Sometimes it can happen quickly, [and] sometimes it takes a really long time for anything to start happening.”
2. 2. Hillary Rodham Clinton: The former secretary of state, first lady, and US senator knows the importance of putting yourself out there. “A lot of people, and I would say a lot of women in particular, talk themselves out of trying things because they're afraid they'll fail,” Hillary says. “There's a concept that I refer to often, the perfectionist gene: ‘Well, I know I can't do it perfectly, so I'm not gonna try.’ It's one of the major barriers for many people, particularly women, to get out there and compete or try new things. If you hear it and you know it's not just your problem, maybe I can…get you to focus on taking a risk, taking a chance, [and] being willing to try. Most people don't succeed, certainly the first, second, or third, whatever time they try. But you will never know whether you could or not if you don't try.”
3. 3. Joan Benoit Samuelson: Record-setting marathon champion Joan Benoit Samuelson won the gold medal at the 1984 US Olympics and continues to shape the sport of running. For her part, Joan advises people to set goals to find new opportunities. “I would try anything to get to where I wanted to go, and it just kept going,” Joan says. “New opportunities arose, and new goals to go after kept popping in my face. I just kept following the road.”
4. 4. John Douglas: Former FBI specialist John Douglas is an expert in criminal profiling and knows the importance of taking risks. “In critical decision-making, you have to take calculated risks,” John says. “If you're afraid of failure and do nothing, then groundbreaking work will never happen. If you don't take chances, you'll never make a mistake. By taking a chance, [I] may be taking a risk. But if I'm wrong, I'm going to learn from that experience—and I'm not going to make the same mistake twice.”
5. 5. Misty Copeland: American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland strives to constantly improve and learn new techniques. “Always striving to be better has allowed me to constantly be open to starting over,” Misty says. For her part, Misty began to unlearn muscle memory and approach ballet in a new way to regain strength and correct hyper flexibility. She adds, “I've started to develop muscle around my knees, making my glutes stronger in my lower back and my hips. . . . I do have the ability to strengthen my body and get it to do whatever it is I want it to.”
6. 6. Robin Arzón: Fitness expert Robin Arzón knows all about fresh beginnings—the Peloton instructor came to the fitness industry after a career in law as a corporate litigator. “If somebody were to ask me, ‘Why should I reinvent myself?’ I would say, ‘Why not?’ Because we need to dream a little bigger,” Robin says. “People reinvent themselves at any age—they start families, they find their loved ones, they start new careers. . . . As long as you're stepping into your power, there's no age limit on that.”

Figuring out what you want to do next and how to get there? Learn how to embrace your passions with a MasterClass Annual Membership and find the grit to take control of your life with exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Robin Arzón, Elaine Welteroth, Hillary Rodham Clinton, RuPaul, and more.