10 Kevin Hart Quotes To Live By
Back in 2008, Kevin Hart had released his first ever stand up special ‘I’m A Grown Little Man’ (which is currently streaming on Netflix). I remember getting a bootleg copy from a barbershop and being instantly hooked. Hart’s comedy felt lighthearted, yet witty, and even fun and insightful. He has never been one to talk about politics or heavy social issues, instead talking a lot about his family, his love for being a dad and even a bit of self deprecation thrown in from time to time. You could tell instantly from his first special that he was someone destined for greatness, but does he have what it takes to get there?
Born and raised in Philly, Kevin Hart didn’t have an easy upbringing – he grew up with his mother in a single-parent household, while his father was in and out of jail and also struggling with cocaine addiction. After he graduated high school, he eventually dropped out of community college and moved to New York City with the ambition to do comedy. But even his early days of comedy were rough, as he was constantly heckled and booed off stage. But as he pushed forward, working to find his own style and rhythm, he would eventually enter and win comedy competitions that would help propel his career aspirations further.
Fast forward to today, where Kevin Hart has become one of the most successful and highest paid comedian and actors in the game. With a ton of great stand up specials, comedy films and television credits under his belt, Hart has shown no sign of slowing down, even venturing into modeling and the creation of his own media and production company Laugh Out Loud Productions.
His success has had many road bumps along the way, some of which has come close to tanking his career, such as when he stepped down from hosting the 2019 Oscars because of tweets from his past that were brought to light that some argued were homophobic. He’s also had a bit of legal issues, problems that have rocked his marriage and even survived a car accident in late 2019.
But despite these set backs, and even the pandemic of 2020 that negatively impacted the careers of other comedians and artists, Kevin Hart has always had one of the best work ethics in the industry. He is always pushing out new projects and breaking new ground, such as with his 2020 stand up special that he filmed in his home.
Hart has also dived into the world of motivational speaking, most notably with his audiobook ‘The Decision: Overcoming Today’s BS for Tomorrow’s Success‘ where he breakdowns tips on everything from parenting to personal development. He has become adamant on sharing his perspectives on what has made him so successful in his career, and I’ve gathered 10 quotes from him over the years that I believe anyone can learn to live by. So let’s dive right in.
The best tip I could tell you is to be active. So many people talk about what they want to do and they just love words. Put actions behind your words. Don’t be a talker, be a doer.
Now I know Kevin Hart isn’t the first (or last) person to push a “don’t just talk about it, be about it” mindset, but if ever there was someone that truly embodied it, it would be him. Every year it seems as though Hart is releasing a long list of new films and projects, and despite any setbacks, he always seems to come through. There is something truly admirable about his level of determination and ambition.
No matter what, people grow. If you chose not to grow, you’re staying in a small box with a small mindset. People who win go outside of that box. It’s very simple when you look at it.
I believe being open minded is everything. Having a close mind to the infinite possibilities life can present to you only restricts you to a small place, devoid of any room for growth and chance. It seems Hart agrees, so much that he sees stepping outside that small mindset is what makes all the difference between winners and losers. Always be willing to step out of your comfort zone, try and learn new things, and be open to change.
Success isn’t supposed to happen, no matter how hard you work. There’s no guarantee you’re going to succeed. There’s nothing set in stone.
While I don’t believe failure should ever be an option, we have to be logical in realizing that success is not owed or guaranteed to anyone. Being realistic about the reality that sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned makes dealing with it when it doesn’t that much easier. In his early years he has recanted tales of being heckled and bombing shows, but it never stopped him from continuing to put in the work.
Be loyal to those who help you grow. You got a team, you keep your team together, you run as a unit. You got a team of people, it means they believed in you, they bought into your dream. That means they invested into you, they invested time, energy and effort. In return, you gotta invest your vision and promise them that we’re all going to win together.
In many of his works Hart has brought on and employed family members and friends in his inner circle. It seems he has a strong sense of loyalty that helps him never forget where he came from and the people that helped get him to where he is. No one is above asking others for a helping hand, especially when your career choice or dreams might demand you socializing and networking with others to get ahead. Having a loyal mindset like this can always help propel you closer to your goals while doing the same for others. It’s a win-win.
A reputation as a hard worker is a good reputation to have.
It seems that Kevin Hart is well aware that many people see him as a hard worker and sees it as something to be proud of. Having that reputation can sometimes feel a bit alienating, because those that don’t put in as much work can get jealous or see you as a threat, when at the end of the day you’re just trying to better your situation. But that should never deter you from living up to being someone known to get shit done.
Laughter heals all wounds, and that’s one thing that everybody shares. No matter what you’re going through, it makes you forget about your problems. I think the world should keep laughing.
While it isn’t directly the point of this quote, my first impression from it was that Hart is speaking from the perspective of someone that truly loves what they do. As a comedian he seems to hold his ability to make others laugh on a very high pedestal. I find it incredibly admirable that he has found that one thing he considers most precious and made a very successful career out of it. The point is – find what you love to do and TRULY love it, and learn to live by and feel confident in what you do.
EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE FAMOUS, BUT NOBODY WANTS TO DO THE WORK. I LIVE BY THAT. YOU GRIND HARD. AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU PUT ALL THE WORKIN , AND EVENTUALLY, IT’LL PAY OFF. IT COULD BE IN A YEAR, IT COULD BE IN 30 YEARS. EVENTUALLY, YOUR HARD WORK WILL PAY OFF.
Hart’s push for a hard work mentality can’t be repeated enough, and I would believe from quotes like this, he probably believes it is the sole reason he has become so successful. This particular quote seems to highlight why being consistent and dedicated is important. You must always be ready to grind like there’s no tomorrow, which is something the vast majority of people aren’t willing or able to do, and you will absolutely reap benefits from the fruits of your labor. But, once again, it is not owed to you and high expectations will probably leave you disappointed. Always be confident that you are doing your best and it will pay off.
WHEN YOU’RE COMING UP WITH NEW MATERIAL, IT’S NOT ALWAYS GONNA BE GOOD. THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN IS FOR IT NOT TO GET A LAUGH, SO YOU CAN ADJUST IT AND COME BACK THE NEXT DAY TO SEE IF IT’S WORKING RIGHT. NEXT TIME, YOU MIGHT GET A DIFFERENT LAUGH. YOU’RE CONSTANTLY REBUILDING.
For a moment, let’s remove the context of being a comedian from this quote and focus on the core message – no matter what it is you do, you should always be trying and open to getting better, even reinventing yourself. It’s hard when your efforts fall short, and many of us use those shortcomings as an excuse to give up. But instead, you should see it as a learning experience and come back with something potentially better. This process can go on for quite a bit but it’s essential at developing any kind of craft or discipline.
TREAT YOUR BODY LIKE A GROWING BANK ACCOUNT AND MAKE DAILY DEPOSITS…I’M GETTING BETTER EVERY DAY.
I dig this quote so much because many of us, myself included, take our mind, body and general well-being for granted. I believe these things work in tandem, and when one is being neglected, the rest suffer. For example, when you don’t get enough sleep, you feel weak and tired, and your mind doesn’t function at full capacity. So if you are going to build a mindset geared for success, you definitely have to get your body on point too. Doing so also demands discipline, dedication and commitment that you can translate over to your career ambitions.
And finally, I’d like to leave you with this final quote, one that I feel truly encapsulates the positive mindset and lifestyle that Kevin Hart embodies. It’s words that pretty much speak for themselves and can become something of a mantra for us all, if you’re open to it.
I’M NOT TRYING TO GET BACK TO WHERE I WAS…I’M TRYING TO REACH NEW LEVELS OF GREATNESS…NOT FOR YOU GUYS THO..I’M TRYING TO REACH THESE NEW LEVELS FOR MYSELF. I WANT TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO CHALLENGE THEMSELVES TO BE GREAT. WE ALL HAVE GREATNESS WITHIN…IT’S UP TO US TO TAP INTO IT. NOBODY KNOWS WHAT YOU’RE CAPABLE OF MORE THAN YOU. I CAN’T WAIT TO SHOW ME THE NEW LEVELS THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO REACH!!!! A POSITIVE MINDSET AND POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE ARE ALL YOU NEED…YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT. IT’S A LIFESTYLE.
