50 Positive Attitude Funny Motivational Quotes for Work

1. “The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.” – Oscar Wilde

Wilde said this in The Importance of Being Earnest while poking fun at life’s ironies. It’s a reminder that even a tough workday beats no paycheck—just laugh and keep going.

2. “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” – Douglas Adams

Adams wrote this in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy during his sci-fi days. It’s about not sweating missed work deadlines—find the humor and move on.

3. “Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?” – Edgar Bergen

Bergen shared this through his puppet, Charlie, in his radio career. He’s joking that overworking isn’t worth it—take it easy and enjoy the day.

4. “If you think your boss is stupid, remember: you wouldn’t have a job if he was any smarter.” – John Gotti

Gotti, the mobster, said this with a smirk in his prime. It’s a funny way to say your job exists because of your boss’s quirks—be grateful.

5. “The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up and does not stop until you get into the office.” – Robert Frost

Frost quipped this in casual talks as a poet. He means your mind blanks at work sometimes—just chuckle and push through.

6. “I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” – Lily Tomlin

Tomlin said this in her comedy sketches in the ‘70s. It’s a light jab at vague work goals—laugh and pick something clear to aim for.

7. “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

Ziglar used this in his motivational speeches for salespeople. He’s saying work energy fades fast, so boost it every day with a smile.

8. “The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs… one step at a time.” – Joe Girard

Girard, a record-breaking car salesman, shared this in his books. It’s a funny take on slow work progress—keep climbing, no rush.

9. “I choose a lazy person to do a hard job because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” – Bill Gates

Gates said this during his Microsoft years in an interview. He’s joking that laziness at work can lead to smart shortcuts—pretty clever.

10. “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison

Edison said this while inventing the lightbulb after tons of tries. He means good things at work take effort—don’t skip them, just grin.

11. “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vidal Sassoon

Sassoon shared this while building his hair empire in the ‘60s. It’s a reminder that work comes first—laugh at the dictionary’s trick.

12. “I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.” – Jerome K. Jerome

Jerome wrote this in Three Men in a Boat in 1889. He’s poking fun at procrastination—staring at work is step one, so smile.

13. “Many people quit looking for work when they find a job.” – Steven Wright

Wright said this in his dry stand-up routines in the ‘80s. It’s about not settling—keep pushing at work with a chuckle.

14. “If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.” – Steven Wright

Another Wright classic from his comedy career. He’s saying work failures are fine—just don’t give up and laugh it off.

15. “Confidence is 10% hard work and 90% delusion.” – Tina Fey

Fey wrote this in Bossypants about her TV days. She means faking it at work helps—believe in yourself and giggle at the act.

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16. “The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” – Lily Tomlin

Tomlin said this in her one-woman shows. It’s a funny nudge that work’s a grind—win or lose, stay lighthearted.

17. “I have a lot of growing up to do. I realized that the other day inside my fort.” – Zach Galifianakis

Galifianakis quipped this in his stand-up in the 2000s. He’s joking that work stress needs a break—hide out and laugh.

18. “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill

Churchill said this in his WWII speeches to rally troops. It’s about tough workdays—push forward and find the humor in it.

19. “Some people see the glass half full. Others see it as half empty. I see a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be.” – George Carlin

Carlin said this in his ‘90s stand-up specials. He’s laughing at work problems—things aren’t so bad, just oversized.

20. “Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood.” – Bill Murray

Murray said this in a casual interview in the ‘80s. It’s a funny tip—work hard, but save some energy for yourself.

21. “I’m not arguing, I’m just explaining why I’m right.” – Whoopi Goldberg

Goldberg said this on The View during a debate. It’s a playful way to handle work disagreements—stand firm and smile.

22. “The key to success is to start before you’re ready.” – Marie Forleo

Forleo shared this in her business coaching videos. She means jump into work fast, laugh at the mess, and learn as you go.

23. “I don’t have a bad attitude; I have a creative approach to problem-solving.” – Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen said this on her talk show in the 2000s. She’s flipping work grumpiness into a positive—grin at your own spin.

24. “If Plan A fails, remember there are 25 more letters.” – Chris Guillebeau

Guillebeau wrote this in The Art of Non-Conformity in 2010. It’s a fun take—work plans flop, but you’ve got backups.

25. “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.” – Mark Twain

Twain wrote this in his humorous essays in the 1800s. He’s joking about work delays—push it off with a laugh.

26. “I’m not lazy, I’m just very relaxed.” – Will Ferrell

Ferrell said this in an SNL skit in the ‘90s. He’s saying slow work vibes are cool—chill out and enjoy it.

27. “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” – Jack London

London wrote this while crafting Call of the Wild. He means work ideas don’t come easy—chase them and laugh.

28. “A day without laughter is like a day without Wi-Fi.” – Robin Williams

Williams said this in his improv sessions in the ‘80s. He’s pointing out that work needs humor—no laughs, no connection.

29. “I didn’t fail the test. I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.” – Benjamin Franklin

Franklin said this during his kite-flying experiments. It’s about work mistakes—they’re progress, so smile at them.

30. “Be happy—it drives people crazy.” – Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen shared this on her show in the 2010s. She means a good mood at work annoys the grumps—keep shining.

31. “I’m not a morning person or a night person. I’m a coffee person.” – Mindy Kaling

Kaling wrote this in Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? in 2011. She’s saying coffee fuels work—sip and grin.

32. “The early bird gets the worm, but the night owl gets to binge Netflix.” – Amy Poehler

Poehler wrote this in Yes Please in 2014. She’s joking that late work hours have perks—enjoy the tradeoff.

33. “My therapist told me the way to achieve inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I’ve finished two bags of M&Ms and a cake” – Dave Barry

Barry wrote this in his humor columns in the ‘90s. He’s laughing at work distractions—snacks count too.

34. “I’m not saying I’m Wonder Woman; I’m just saying no one has ever seen me and Wonder Woman in the same room.” – Amy Schumer

Schumer said this in her 2010 stand-up. She’s boosting work confidence—act heroic and laugh.

35. “If you let your head get too big, it’ll break your neck.” – Elvis Presley

Elvis said this during his ‘50s rise to fame. He means to stay humble at work—big heads fall hard.

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36. “I’m not short-tempered, I just have a quick reaction to nonsense.” – Betty White

White said this on Golden Girls in the ‘80s. She’s flipping work frustration into a fast, funny fix.

37. “People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” – Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)

Milne wrote this in Winnie the Pooh in 1926. It’s a silly take—doing nothing at work is a talent.

38. “I’m not overworked; I’m under-vacationed.” – Lucille Ball

Ball said this while filming I Love Lucy in the ‘50s. She’s joking that work feels long without breaks.

39. “The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off due to budget cuts.” – Garry Shandling

Shandling said this in his ‘90s comedy specials. He means work hope fades—laugh at the absurdity.

40. “I put the ‘fun’ in dysfunctional.” – Tina Fey

Fey wrote this in 30 Rock scripts in the 2000s. She’s saying work chaos is her playground—join in.

41. “I’m not bossy, I just have better ideas.” – Reese Witherspoon

Witherspoon said this in a Legally Blonde interview. She’s joking that leading at work is just smart.

42. “Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda (George Lucas)

Lucas wrote this for The Empire Strikes Back in 1980. It’s a push to finish work strong—halfway’s no fun.

43. “I’m not clumsy, the floor just loves me too much.” – Jennifer Lawrence

Lawrence said this after tripping at the 2013 Oscars. She means work slips happen—blame the floor.

44. “I don’t trip; I do random gravity checks.” – Dwayne Johnson

Johnson said this in a gym video in the 2010s. He’s laughing at work stumbles—test the ground.

45. “I’m not saying I hate my job, but if a genie offered me three wishes, I’d use one to never see a Monday again.” – Kevin Hart

Hart said this in his 2010 stand-up. He’s joking about work dread—wish it away with a smile.

46. “My favorite exercise is a cross between a lunge and a crunch. I call it lunch.” – Roseanne Barr

Barr said this about Roseanne in the ‘90s. She means work breaks are the real workout—enjoy them.

47. “I know worrying works, because none of the stuff I worried about ever happened.” – Will Rogers

Rogers wrote this in his 1920s columns. He’s saying work stress is useless—laugh it away.

48. “I’m not ignoring you; I’m just prioritizing my coffee.” – Sarah Jessica Parker

Parker said this in a 2000s interview. She means coffee trumps work chatter—focus on what matters.

49. “Sometimes the best part of my job is that the chair swivels.” – Phyllis Diller

Diller said this in her ‘60s stand-up. She’s joking that small work joys keep you sane—spin on.

50. “I’ve been on a calendar, but I’ve never been on time.” – Marilyn Monroe

Monroe said this in her ‘50s Hollywood days. She’s laughing at your tardiness—you’re still a star.

Conclusion

As we wrap up, I hope these positive attitude funny motivational quotes for work have brightened your day and sparked a little extra motivation for your work. Remember, a dash of humor can transform even the toughest challenges into opportunities for growth. Carry this positive energy with you as you navigate your daily tasks, and don’t forget to smile along the way. Here’s to finding laughter and inspiration in every corner of your workday and to making each moment a step toward success.