10 Motivational Figures To Follow On Instagram For The New Year

The holidays have come and gone, which means that it's time once again to reflect on the pitfalls of the last year while looking forward to the bright, promising horizon of 2019. Across the globe, millions have taken pause from nursing their extended New Year's celebration hangovers to make resolutions for the coming year in an attempt to turn their 2018 Ls into lessons. For those looking to better themselves, however-- it takes much more than the desire for change to produce any noticeable, lasting results. In order to enjoy the blessings of becoming a better, more successful individual, you must have a plan of action, and what's more, actually implement it.

Whether you're looking to ditch the love handles before beach season rolls around, secure the bag, or bring peace to your relationships, body and soul, we've got you covered. Peep this collection of 10 motivational Instagram figures from all walks of life,  to find the inspiration you need to make 2019 your best year yet. 

At just 25 years old, Steven Bartlett is a living, breathing example of the success that follows hard work and a steady grind. As the CEO and co-founder of Social Chain Group, Europe's largest social media and digital publishing house, Bartlett heads up not one, but two companies-- Social Chain and Media Chain. Through his work developing campaigns for some of the world's biggest brands, Bartlett has reached hundreds of millions of individuals by spotting and harnessing the consumer potential of social media. With offices in Manchester, London, Berlin, Munich and New York, it's clear that Bartlett's digital empire is built to last. 

A college dropout with a message, Bartlett repeatedly conveys his non-conventional path to success on his personal Instagram account. Clearly eager to inspire future entrepreneurs with his unique passion for consistency and self-reflection, this wunderkind's profile is definitely worth a follow.

As Bartlett says, "focus on self-development over overnight success."  

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With a net worth totaling over $150 million, Gary Vaynerchuk clearly knows what it takes to be a successful businessman. A multi-hyphenate with companies spanning across several industries, Vaynerchuk is best known for his work in digital marketing and heading up the media companies VaynerMedia and VaynerX. Disarmingly down to earth and ready to share his knowledge with his 4.8 million Instagram followers, this angel investor has also made a name for himself as a bonafide public figure by hosting The GaryVee Audio Experience podcast and #AskGaryVee, a business Q&A show airing on YouTube and Facebook.  

His Instagram feed is chock-full of sound bites designed to help his followers not only secure the bag, but to make the most out of the one life we are given. 

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While self-made millionaire Andy Frisella frequently refers to himself as a "regular dude," his bank account is far more padded than your average entrepreneur. Along with heading up one of the world's largest nutritional supplement companies, 1st Phorm International, Frisella founded and runs five other companies that together generate over $200 million in annual revenue. Consistently reminding his followers of the importance of hard work, following Frisella will ensure that don't fall into the same patterns that kept you from success in 2018.

As Frisella says, "Success is about NOW resolutions...it ain't about New Year's Resolutions." 

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Triple-hyphenate Jada Pinkett Smith has made a name for herself well beyond the scope of simply being "Will Smith's wife." As a singer-songwriter, actress and businesswoman, Smith has crafted an empire within the entertainment industry as a published author, respected artist, and even co-owns the production company Overbrook Entertainment. In her new series Red Table Talk, Smith opens up about difficult, intimate aspects of her personal life to further inspire and empower the millions who look to her as a source of inspiration. Fully committed to living her best, healthiest life, Smith's Instagram is brimming with positive affirmations that will make your 2019 brighter than you imagined. 

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Lewis Howes' unconventional rags to riches story is a shining example of how dedication and hard work can raise anyone out of even the lowest of slumps. As an insecure, academically challenged child with a history of abuse, Howes could never have comprehended the level of success that he would one day reach as an adult. A former professional football player, Howes set his sights on business after a career-shattering injury left him searching for a new direction. After building a multi-million dollar online media company from nothing, Howes has gone on to become a New York Times bestselling author and sought-after motivational speaker. 

While Howes' feed will no doubt inspire you to triumph over your doubts, he is also committed to reminding his followers just how important it is to stay humble once you reach the top.  

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If you’re thinking of giving 2019 anything less than 100 percent, David Goggins is here to remind you to think again. The champion of the 40 percent rule, Goggins routinely reminds his followers that at any given time, most people utilize less than half of their total capabilities. Rising above the burdens of poverty, prejudice and repeated physical abuse that he suffered as a child, Goggins transformed himself from an overweight, directionless young man into a celebrated member of the U.S. Armed Forces. A retired Navy SEAL and the only former service member in history to complete SEAL training, U.S. Army Ranger School and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training, Goggins is currently hailed as one of the world’s top endurance athletes and now uses his social media platforms to inspire millions on their fitness journeys. Looking to get your body right in 2019? Then Goggins is definitely worth the follow.

If you're looking for someone to sugarcoat the reasons why your life isn't going as planned, digital nomad, self-help author, blogger and CEO Mark Manson is NOT your guy. Rejecting the wishy-washy, "soft" mantra of the self-help industry, Manson instead chooses to inject blunt honesty and tough love into the minds of his fans and followers. If you're searching for a hard line on why being an asshole isn't always terrible and why "not giving a fuck" translates into success, Manson's Instagram feed is the place to go. 

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Angel investor, entrepreneur, best-selling author and podcaster Tim Ferriss isn't content with just being "ordinary." In his books  The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titans, and Tribe of Mentors, Ferriss promises his readers the secrets to fat loss, incredible sex, becoming "superhuman" and joining the new generation of those who are wealthy, non-stressed and well

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Jordan Harbinger's origin point as a successful businessman is worlds away from the other early tech-investors on this list. Instead of getting in on the ground floor at massive companies like Facebook and Twitter, Harbinger instead got his start as a pickup artist aimed at giving men the confidence they needed to hit the market and find the woman of their dreams. After founding the company "The Art of Charm," Harbinger's interests later evolved into the domain of general self-help, meshing with the theme of his current eponymous podcast. "The word “authentic” has lost a lot of its meaning these days, in part thanks to so-called “influencers” and internet-marketers," says Harbinger, always intent on impressing upon his followers the importance of staying true to their own aspirations. "The way to combat this phenomenon is to ACTUALLY be authentic, showcase your vulnerability and let others know that not only is it okay not to be perfect all the time, but it’s part of what makes us all able to create things of value to others in the first place."

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What collection of motivational figures is complete without the effortless grace, authenticity, work ethic and disarming intelligence of former First Lady Michelle Obama? While Obama is by no means a newcomer to the public eye, her recently-released book, Becoming sheds new light on just how intensely she carries the honor of serving as a beacon of inspiration to the millions who look up to her. "Your story is the most powerful part of who you are -- the struggles, failures, successes and everything in between," says Obama in a recent Instagram post aimed at building up her followers. "Remember to always stay open to new experiences and never let the doubters get in the way. You all are so beautiful." If you're in desperate need of feeling better about yourself and your purpose in this world, Obama's Instagram feed is the place to go.

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