One of the keys to success is learning from the inspiring and successful people around us. And great lessons can come from anywhere. Whether you’re coming up against a major career challenge or you’ve started to doubt yourself, whatever the situation you’re facing, here are 15 empowering quotes to learn and live by from strong female characters we love. 

On self-love 

1. I love you, but I love me more, I’ve been in a relationship with myself for 49 years and that’s the one I’ve got to work on – Samantha Jones, SATC

2. “I am not apologizing for who I am.” – Donna Paulsen, Suits

3. “I am who I am. If you don’t like it, I don’t care.” – Annalise Keating, How To Get Away With Murder

4. Oh, screw beautiful, I’m brilliant! You wanna appease me, compliment my brain! – Cristina Yang, Greys anatomy

5. Hello, my name is fabulous – Samantha Jones, SATC

On self-care 

6. “I’m choosing me. I’m choosing Olivia. And right now, Olivia is dancing. Now you can dance with me, or you can get off my dance floor. I’m fine dancing alone.”, Olivia Pope, Scandal

7. You won’t feel like it. But put on nice clothing. Force yourself, too. Not for the public. For you. — Alicia Florrick, The good wife

On knowing your worth

8. “I want what I’m worth.” – Diane Lockhart, The good wife 

On grabbing opportunities and taking action

9. When the door you’ve been knocking at finally swings open, you don’t ask why. You run through.” – Diane Lockhart

10. “I’m fully prepared to live with the consequences of my actions. What I couldn’t live with were the consequences of my inactions.” —Elizabeth McCord, Madam Secretary

On being confident in your abilities 

11. “I can because I do.” – Jessica Pearson, Suits

12. “I am very good at what I do. I am better at it than anyone else. And that is not arrogance, that is a fact.” – Olivia Pope, Scandal 

13. “I was made for this job. This job was made for me”-Miranda Bailey, Greys Anatomy 

On fighting for your dreams

14. “I’m not one to back away from a fight.” – Rachel Zane, Suits

15. If there’s just one piece of advice I can give you, it’s this – when there’s something you really want, fight for it. Don’t give up. No matter how hopeless it seems. And when you’ve lost hope, ask yourself if ten years from now, you’re going to wish you gave it one more shot, because the best things in life, they don’t come free.-Meredith Grey, Greys anatomy

Now go kick some ass!