20 Carl Jung Quotes That Apply to Business
Carl Jung was a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who was born in Switzerland in 1875. He is best known as the founder of analytical psychology. His work has influenced many fields of study, including psychiatry, archeology, philosophy, anthropology, religious studies, and literature. This influential man said many things that are inspiring or motivational in many situations. People still use his quotes after he died in Switzerland in 1961. Here are 20 Carl Jung quotes that apply to business.
20. On the Satisfaction of Overcoming Problems
“The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their configuration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results.”
Almost everyone in business will encounter a range of problems, varying from minor problems to bigger issues. While it is likely that these issues will make you suffer at the time, how you overcome them will give you a sense of satisfaction and achievement. You can take great pride in working your way through a problem and coming out the other side to become successful. If you have not faced and overcome problems, then there is less satisfaction in your achievements. In this sense, facing a few problems along the way is worthwhile.
19. On Choosing Your Own Path
“The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.”
Each person should take their own path in life, and the path you choose if your decision. There are no two paths the same for individuals. What is right for someone else is not necessarily the right choice for you. When you are running a business, many people will want to interfere and give their opinions about the way that you should do things. However, the route you take is your choice, not theirs. Therefore, you should set aside the opinions of others and focus on achieving your goals.
18. On Learning from Experience
“Who has fully realized that history is not contained in thick books but lives in our very blood?”
There is more than one way of learning, and academic learning from books is just one of the options. Another way of learning is from your past experiences. Without even knowing it, you will have learned many things along the way, and you can use these experiences to help you in the future.
17. On using Your Instincts
“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.”
Sometimes, you must base your decisions on facts, knowledge, and experience. Other times, the decision is not clear, and knowledge will not help. On these occasions, you must rely on your instincts. The reliability of your instincts may depend on your experience. Going with your gut is sometimes the only option.
16. On Having Passion
“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.”
Listed by Brainy Quote, this Carl Jung quote is all about finding something about which you are passionate. Everyone has a passion inside, but something this is left inside like an unkindled fire. Igniting your passion is a step towards achieving your dreams. It is important to have a career that revolves around something about which you are passionate so that you can take enjoyment from your work and remain motivated.
15. On Implementing Change
“As any change must begin somewhere, it is the single individual who will experience it and carry it through. The change must indeed begin with an individual; it might be any one of us.”
When things are going well, there is no need to make changes. However, if your systems and processes aren’t working or you think they need improvement, then you must implement changes. Sometimes, people find it hard to accept change, but change is inevitable in all aspects of life. Do your research properly to find the best solution to the problem and then embrace the changes.
14. On Accepting Your Weaknesses
“I regret many follies that sprang from my obstinacy; but without that trait, I would not have reached my goal.”
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and it is important to identify these. If you know your strengths, you can use them to benefit your business. Likewise, identifying your weaknesses can help you to make improvements. Sometimes, even your weaknesses can contribute to your success as they are an integral part of your personality. For example, you may have an obsessive streak, or you may be a stubborn person. In your personal life, you may consider these a weakness. However, in business, they may work to your advantage.
13. On the Importance of a Work-Life Balance
“A special ability means a heavy expenditure in a particular direction, with a consequent drain from some other side of life.”
This Carl Jung quote listed by Motivation Grid is about the importance of not focusing too much of your energy on just one aspect of your life. You can apply this quote to having the right work-life balance. If you focus too much of your energy on your work life, then your personal life may suffer. Getting some time away from work to spend time with your family, relax, or enjoy your hobbies can also benefit your professional life. It will refresh you and give you greater focus during your time at work.
12. On Overcoming Problems
“The greatest and most important problems of life are all fundamentally insoluble. They can never be solved but only outgrown.”
Sometimes, the solution to a problem is immediately obvious. On other occasions, you may find it impossible to find a solution. There are even occasions when there is nothing you can do but wait. Over time, a problem may resolve itself.
11. On the Importance of Questioning
“To ask the right question is already half the solution of a problem.”
Finding solutions to problems often requires you to ask questions. According to this Carl Jung quote, asking questions is the first step to finding a solution. Analyze the situation and question the causes of the problem. Next, compare the pros and cons of any potential solutions. This should help you to decide how to proceed.
10. On Looking at Things from a Different Perspective
“It all depends on how we look at things, and not how they are in themselves.”
When you face an issue, you may find it tricky to work out what you should do next to overcome a problem. On these occasions, you may need to look at the problem from a different perspective. If you find it difficult, then it makes sense to ask someone else for their thoughts and ideas about potential solutions. Everyone looks at things from a different perspective, and they may take a different approach.
9. On Using Your Imagination
“The debt we owe to the play of imagination is incalculable.”
Following the same path as other people is the easy route to take in life. If you want to stand out and achieve greater things, then you should use your imagination. Find your niche in the market and try to do things differently to your competitors to make yourself stand out.
8. On Getting Through the Low Points
“There is no coming to consciousness without pain.”
In both life and business, there are highs and lows. According to this Carl Jung quote, getting through difficult times can give you greater clarity and understanding of life. This will make you stronger as a person and more effective in business. While the low points are challenging at the time you are experiencing them, there are some positives you can draw from these experiences that will help you in the future.
7. On Taking a Hands-On Approach
“Often, the hands will solve the mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.”
Having knowledge about your industry is important, and this can take you a long way towards your goals. However, there are some things you will never learn from books, as you need hands-on experience. Get stuck into all aspects of your business so that you can learn and gain a full understanding. Your experiences will make a significant difference in the level of success you achieve.
6. On Learning from Mistakes
“Knowledge rests not upon the truth alone, but upon error also.”
Listed by Addicted 2 Success, this Carl Jung quote is all about learning from your mistakes. When you make a mistake, you will probably classify this as a negative experience. However, you can use what you learn from your mistakes in the future. Therefore, mistakes can often have a positive outcome in the long-term. When you make mistakes, don’t think too badly of yourself, just pick yourself up and use it as a learning experience.
5. On Experiencing the Highs and Lows
“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word ‘happy’ would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.”
Experiencing both the highs and the lows is important as you cannot appreciate one without the other. When you look back at your time in business, you will realize that the bad times were never as bad as you thought because you were able to overcome the issues, and you will have the chance to appreciate the happy times you have had throughout the journey. You can take pride in the things you have overcome and your achievements.
4. On Accepting Change
“We cannot change anything unless we accept it.”
Even if you don’t want things to change, this is something that is often inevitable. Change is something that occurs naturally over time, and you need to accept that change will happen. Instead of fighting change, embrace it openly, and use the changes to your advantage. Change is often positive as it could improve your business or make your working life easier. If you are finding it difficult to adapt to change, then give yourself time.
3. On Self-Awareness
“Your visions will become clear only when you look into your own heart. Who looks outside dreams, who looks inside awakes.”
An important step towards becoming successful in business is being aware of yourself. This involves having an awareness of your strengths and weaknesses. By identifying your strengths and weaknesses, you can decide which of your skills, personality traits, and knowledge you can use to the advantage of your business. It will also help you to identify the aspects of your personality, skills, or knowledge that need some work for you to become successful.
2. On Taking Action
“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.”
Having an idea is one thing, put your ideas into action is another. You can only make your ideas successful if you are willing to take action to make your dreams a reality. Often, people fear to take that first step as they are worried that they will fail. However, you will never know unless you try. You should have the courage to try and put your ideas into action.
1. On Deciding Your Own Future
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
According to Goalcast, this is one of the best Carl Jung quotes that apply to business. It is about taking control of your own future and being responsible for your destiny. Sometimes, people allow the things that happen to them to distract them from achieving their goals and from reaching their full potential. If you want to become a success, then it is down to you to do something about it and to enjoy the life you desire.
