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Do you want to be a better man? Then you need a good mottos to live by!

Most men will answer hell yes... because most men are passionate about setting goals, actively challenging themselves, and generally trying to be the best man they can.

So… it’s not uncommon to desire to be a better man… but here’s the problem:

It can be incredibly hard to maintain the motivation, inspiration, and vision of that man you want to be.

Work, girls, friendships, discouragement and laziness can get in the way of your desire to become a better man. They distract you… and sometimes even cause you to stop trying.

But look:

If you constantly remind yourself to try to be better, aren’t you less likely to get trapped by all those distractions?

Well, personal mottos can be that reminder. They’re simple phrases that help you define that man you want to be, then remember it, and even make a plan to get there.

...And the best part?

Choosing a personal motto is easy. I’ve laid out this simple guide to choosing your life mottos, and even crafted a list of 75 incredibly good mottos to live by.

Contents

What is it - #What-is-it

What is Motto?

Why needed - #Why-needed

Why It's Needed

Four vital steps - #Four-vital-steps

Four Vital Steps

Best and powerful - #Best-and-powerful

Best and Powerful

How to create - #How-to-create

How to Create

What Exactly is a Motto?

The concept of a personal motto is pretty simple:

It’s a short, powerful phrase that helps you describe the man you want to be (i.e., “seize the day” is a motto for man who wants to describe himself as “a man who’s open to opportunity”, an “adventurer”, or even a “risk-taker”).

...And then the motto helps you set the goals and make the decisions to get there (that same man will set a goal to take every good opportunity, and he’ll consistently make the decisions to take those opportunities).

In short:

Your life motto is a tool you use to define who you are, set goals, and to make decisions… and ultimately it's a phrase you’ll begin to live your life around.

Now… I want to make a quick disclaimer about choosing a personal motto.

Even one really powerful personal motto can’t always cover every single aspect of your life.

Think about it:

Can the cool motto “seize the day” help you decide whether or not to go on a diet?

You could easily seize the day by eating only delicious-but-unhealthy foods… or you could seize the day by immediately starting a healthy lifestyle. Really, it could go either way.

That’s why it’s best to adopt several life mottos… they can cover more situations that just one motto can.

Why Every Man Needs Personal Mottos

Good mottos are incredibly powerful tools for all men... for three reasons.

1. They help you to remember the man you want to be

To demonstrate this point, I’ll share my personal motto: “Have courage and be kind.”

Now:

There are times when I don’t feel courageous, and/or don’t want to be kind. It happens to everyone, right? But here’s the thing:

In those times (of fear or unkindness), I repeat my personal motto and remember who I want to be: someone courageous and kind. I remind myself I’ve never regretted being courageous or kind… and I won’t regret it now.

In short: my motto reminds me to be the best, most courageous, kindest person I can be.

And bonus: self-affirmation (like repeating a positive motto) has been proven to actually increase calmness and performance under pressure. source

2. They help you set long-term goals for your life, which can lead to success

Remember: a motto is a tool that helps you become the man you want to be.

...So think about the goals you must set to become that man. Then use your motto as a powerful summary of why those goals are so important to you.

For example:

Is your goal to provide for a family? Then a good motto to repeat to yourself would be “Family first.”

Is your goal to finally get in shape? Then a good motto would be “Never quit."

Is your goal to grow your own business? A good motto for you would be "Chase your passion.”

Here’s the bottom line:

A life motto sums up the direction you want your life to take... and by repeating your motto, you can remember/focus on that direction (which means you’re more apt to reach your goals). source

3. They can help you make difficult decisions

You might be facing a difficult question… like should you admit feelings for a friend? Should you switch careers? Should you confront someone who's wronged you?

The problem is, in all of those situations, there are multiple answers that could be correct, right?

But check this out:

If you’ve taken the time to choose a motto that really captures the man you want to be, making that tough decision becomes almost easy.

Need proof?

Let’s say a friend has wronged you. If your personal motto is “Forgive and forget”, then you should forgive him… and if your motto is “Honesty is the best policy”, then you’ll be better off saying how you feel.

See how having a personal motto can make decision-making hugely easier?

The Four Vital Steps to Implement Mottos into Your Life

So now you know what, exactly, a motto is and why they’re so powerful… now it’s time to choose your personal mottos to live by (by following these 4 steps).

Remember: Don’t rush choosing your motto… it’s an important choice, and important things often take time and careful consideration.

1. Understand why you want/need a cool motto

This is the most important question to consider when you choose a motto:

Why do you even want one?

Because if you’re not sure why you’re searching for a motto, how are you ever going to pick the right one?

So what’s driving the search for a motto to live your life by:

  • A turning point (marriage, graduation, moving) that will require you to change who you are?
  • A difficult decision that doesn’t seem to have a right answer?
  • A change happening around you that you don’t want, but can’t control?

Think about what’s intimidating you (any of the things listed above). Then repeat your motto a few times... if it makes you feel stronger, more capable, and less afraid of the intimidation, it’s the right motto for you right now.

2. Choose your mottos to live by

It may be easier to choose a motto than you think… remember, mottos are just a reflection of the man you want to be.

...And the man you want to be is often strongly related to what you value (because if you value honesty, you want to be honest… if you value patience, you want to be patient, etc.)

So the best way to choose a powerfully inspirational motto is to inspect your values. If you know what you value, choosing a motto to represent that will be dramatically easier.

Don’t know what your values are? Here’s 5 steps to discover yours.

3. Write your motto somewhere you’ll see it

The motto you've worked so hard to choose isn’t any good if you don’t remember it.

Write it somewhere you’ll see it, like:

  • Your mirror
  • A reminder in your phone/calendar
  • Your sun visor in your car
  • Your desk at work

...And each time you see your motto written down, think about it for a second:

Remember why it’s your personal motto… what goal it will help you achieve, and how it will make you become a better man.

Reflecting on your motto like that can make it sink deep into your memory… so you can use it when you need it.

4. Train your brain to remember it by repeating it

Imagine you’re at a bar/party, and you see a gorgeous woman. Your new personal motto is “He who hesitates is lost”, so you’re supposed to remember to not hesitate to take a good opportunity (which would be asking this woman out).

But here’s what happens:

Your nerves are so wrecked by the idea of approaching her that you completely forget your motto… and lose the opportunity.

At that exact moment, you needed your motto to be drilled into your head, where you can’t forget it.

So… what can you do to remember?

The easiest way is to repeat your motto to yourself every morning. The more times you read/hear something, the more likely you are to accept it as the truth. source

That means that when a gorgeous woman is waiting, you’ll remember/believe that you shouldn’t hesitate to act.

75 Best and Powerful, Good Mottos to Live by

PS: After the list, there’s a short formula for how to build your own motto.

75. I am strong enough

“I am” is an incredibly powerful start to any motto. By consistently using this motto to remind yourself who you are (or who you aspire to be), you’ll make yourself more likely to believe it. source

You can say I am strong, I am confident, I am courageous, etc. You can say I am anything that makes you excited to go out and achieve your dreams.

I Am Strong Enough

74. Carpe Diem

Carpe diem means “seize the day” in Latin.

...And as I mentioned above, seize the day is the motto for someone who wants to make the most out of his life.

If you don’t let good opportunities pass by, you’ll be able say your life was the best that you could have made it.

73. Faster, higher, stronger – Olympic Games

You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to adopt their motto (although this motto is an awesome one for an athlete).

The words faster, higher and stronger remind you to work harder than your competition to meet your goals (no matter what they are).

72. Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else - Judy Garland

You should learn from other, successful men… but don’t try to be just like them.

Use your unique strengths to become completely successful (first-rate success)… as yourself.

71. “Good enough” isn’t good enough

Don’t let “passable” or “ok” be your standard... no matter what you do, do it the best.

Live by this motto instead… because you are better than simply “good enough”.

70. Have courage and be kind

Like I mentioned above, this is my personal motto.

I chose the two values most important to me, and built this motto around those important ideas.

If courage and kindness inspire you to be a better man, I highly recommend you adopt this as one of your mottos.

69. Successful people do things when they don’t want to – Dr. Phil

Sometimes, you just don’t want to go work out, head to work, or have a difficult conversation with someone.

But here’s the thing:

Won’t you immediately fail (with your workouts, at your job, in your relationship) if you don’t try at all?

To be successful, you have to do those things, even when you don’t want to.

68. Breathe in courage, breathe out fear

This motto is a personal favorite of mine, because it provides a powerful action for when you’re pressured or afraid.

Try it:

As you inhale, imagine that you’re going to succeed. You’re a powerful man and nothing can stop you.

As you exhale, imagine that fear is being pushed away from you. Fear doesn’t affect you, because you are a courageous, successful man.

67. Rome was not built in a day

The great city of Rome took years to build…

…so remember that the best things take time to build (personal strength, careers, relationships).

This is a motto for a man who values patience… or a man who isn’t patient, but wants to be.

66. Be the one to light a fire

Do you want to be the man who acts first? The kind of man who doesn't wait for others to take the initiative, but does it himself?

This motto inspires you to act like that man (by having the initiative and courage to light a fire). No matter what your goal is, act on it.

65. Throw me to the wolves and I will return leading the pack

Here’s a powerful, vivid motto for a man who values leadership.

If you want to be a great leader, adopt a motto like this and repeat it to yourself when you’re up against adversity. Then lead the pack.

Throw me to the wolves and I will return leading the pack

64. It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness - Chinese proverb

Instead of constantly complaining about what’s wrong with your life … wouldn’t you rather do something about it?

Don’t be upset that everything isn’t perfect (cursing the darkness)… but create a spark of hope, happiness or contentment in yourself (light a candle).

63. We must become the change we wish to see in the world - Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi

Don’t wait around for things around you (bad relationships, dead-end jobs) to change… because things usually don’t change quickly by themselves.

If you want a change, you have to start it.

62. Liberty, equality, fraternity – the motto of the nation of France

Some powerful mottos are just several impactful words, instead of a phrase.

This motto is for men who value liberty (freedom for all men), equality, and fraternity (brotherly love).

…And you don’t have to choose France’s motto in particular... there are plenty of other national mottos to choose from.

61. I will survive

This motto is a powerful tool when you’re facing hard times.

In those times, simply tell yourself I will survive. Remind yourself:

"I’ve overcome hard times before, and I’ve survived." You may even be a stronger man because of it.

60. Every wall is a door

All men have dreams… but it can definitely feel like something prevents you from reaching them (like you’ve been locked in a room with no door).

Use this motto to remember that you’re not in a room without doors.

There’s always an opportunity to get out, and reach your dreams, if you look hard enough (the room is really open… just find the door).

59. Vision without action is a daydream - Japanese proverb

This motto is for a man who values action.

Will you reach your goals by doing nothing… or by acting?

Your vision of success will never be real (it will stay a daydream) unless you do something about it.

58. Act or accept

This motto can help when something unfortunate happens (a job loss, a breakup, even unfair treatment).

It reminds you that in any of those circumstances, you have two options: try to change what happened (act), or be okay with the change (accept).

If you do one of those, instead of sitting in misery, you’ll be able to move on.

57. You are what you think about all day long – Dr. Robert Schuller

This motto reminds you to keep your focus on your goal.

If you’re trying to reach your goal (and become a better man)… but all you think about is the past, or your worries, or how jealous you are of other men’s success… how are you going to meet your goal?

You’ll only become a better man with intense focus… so think about that goal all day long.

56. Wisdom knows what to overlook – William James

You know the phrase “don’t sweat the small stuff?”

If you want to be a wise man, you have not focus on the “small stuff” (temporary problems, negative comments, etc.).

Instead, use this motto to remind you to focus only on your goal.

55. If you’re going through hell, keep going - Winston Churchill

Every man needs a positive outlook sometimes… especially when going through “hells” like a breakup, a tough assignment at work, or a move to a new place.

This personal motto can give you the strength you need… to keep going. The hell eventually ends.

If you’re going through hell, keep going

54. You are not your mistakes

Look: just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean everything you do is a mistake. Otherwise… every man’s life would be a complete mistake (since every man makes mistakes).

Repeat this motto to yourself if you need a reminder that it’s ok to make mistakes.

53. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others – African proverb

Many men are more likely to succeed together than one man is alone.

For example:

A group of men form a football team. A group of men form a powerful army. A group of great men built this country. A group of men landed on the moon.

Many great things men have done, they’ve done together. Remember to be cooperative, to use the talents of the people around you to achieve goals, and you’ll go far.

52. Tomorrow is another day

You don’t have to live in the past.

Start each day by forgetting what bad things happened yesterday.

Whatever mistakes or setbacks have happened, you get the entire next day (and the rest of your life) to deal with them, and continue making yourself a better man.

51. I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today – Groucho Marx

If you’re like most men, you’re often affected by events:

Maybe your boss didn’t like your proposal, your girlfriend is mad at you about something, or your workout went awfully.

But here’s the thing:

Your happiness doesn’t have to be affected by events… you can decide that your own will is stronger than the events around you. You make your day good, not the events.

50. Opportunities don’t happen. You create them – Chris Grosser

This motto is a reminder for men who tend to wait around for opportunities.

If that’s you, look: opportunities come along very rarely. Most of the time, you have to create them yourself.

So create them. Volunteer for a challenging work project. Ask that girl on a date. Start a savings account to travel.

You’re more likely to succeed if you have more opportunities… so create more.

49. Progress, not perfection

Here’s a short reminder of a powerful truth:

Any progress is better than no progress.

Look: you won’t always be able to achieve perfection (no man is perfect!). But making any progress is incredibly better than doing nothing at all.

Don’t sit around because you’re scared of not being perfect. Make progress instead.

48. He who hesitates is lost

Look:

You don’t get anywhere without moving, right?

If you don’t move, you’ll end up watching success pass you by, (or worse) go to someone else. Don’t hesitate and risk losing the chance to accomplish what you want.

47. Do no harm – Hippocratic oath

For me, this is one of the best mottos to live by because it applies to so many situations.

Don’t harm anyone. Emotionally or physically.

Before you take any action, consider who you might be harming, and don’t act if it will cause anyone harm.

46. Greatness is measured by courage and heart

“Courage” and “heart” (kindness) are two traits that make up greatness.

A man who believes this is bound to be great… he will always have a courage that comforts him, and a kindness that makes others want to support him… and it’s really hard to fail with those two things backing him up.

45. You’re never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream – CS Lewis

Look:

It doesn’t matter if you already have a career, or a family, or even great failures in your past. You can still work toward another dream.

Don’t use age as an excuse. Get up and meet a new goal.

You’re never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream

44. Your actions should always agree with each other

This life motto is actually about honesty. An honest man won’t say one thing and do something completely different…

…and he won’t say one thing to one friend and another thing to another friend.

All his actions (and words) will agree with each other… to the point that no one can doubt his honesty.

43. Honesty is the best policy

Though it may not seem like it, this motto is a powerful call to action.

It reminds you to tell the truth, no matter what… even when it’s difficult (for example: when you or someone else might get in trouble because of the truth).

42. All may have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

This motto was taken from the Constitution of the United States.

If you value everyone’s right to life, liberty and happiness, this is a perfect motto for you to live by.

41. A mind is like a parachute: it doesn’t work if it isn’t open – Frank Zappa

Look:

If you’re not open to new ideas, you’re assuming that your own ideas are the best in the universe, and no other ideas could be right. Isn’t that a little… narrow-minded?

Your mind works best when it’s connected to other great minds. Let new ideas roll in, and you’ll have more chances of succeeding.

40. United we stand

What’s more effective:

Doing an entire project by yourself, or with hardworking others?

Lifting a barbell alone, or having a strong spotter?

Protesting unfair treatment alone, or with a passionate team?

A united group of men will always be able to accomplish more than one man alone (more manpower = better results). If you adopt this as your motto, you remind yourself that collaboration with others is the most powerful way to get things done.

39. We are all a work in progress

This motto can be interpreted two ways:

“I am a work in progress” reminds you that you aren’t a finished person yet. You still have time to make the most of your life.

“Others are a work in progress” reminds you that others aren’t finished growing either, so you have to be patient with them.

38. Helping people + your talent = life’s purpose

Check this out: a motto can just be a formula you believe in. This formula can help you find the purpose for your life.

Any talent can help people: an artist can bring people joy, a salesman can bring people life-changing products, and anyone with a technical skill (cooking, car maintenance, beekeeping) can teach it to others… to make their lives better.

Bottom line: a life of helping is a life filled with purpose.

37. Simplify

If this is your motto, you don’t need trinkets/gadgets to be happy… you’re happy with the values, relationships and blessings you have.

In short: simplifying means cutting out the unnecessary things in your life.

36. Attitudes are contagious. Make yours worth catching

Sometimes, you’re just in a bad mood. It happens to everyone.

But here’s what this motto reminds you:

If you want others around you to be in a positive mood, you have to be the one to start being happy. The chances are, if you have that positive attitude, others will catch on…

…and everyone will be happier because of something you started.

35. Know your value

This is a powerful motto for men who struggle with self-confidence (and honestly, all men can benefit from this motto).

Repeat your value (which is a gift that you give the world) to yourself when you need a confidence boost.

The best part?

Your value is different than everyone else’s… you’re good at different things and have accomplished different things. Know and show the world your value today.

Know your value

34. Be intentional

“Being intentional” means not doing things that waste time (things with no real intention behind them).

Now: with pointless media surrounding us, it’s hard to do only things that serve a purpose… but if you think about it, wouldn’t you rather build, create, or accomplish something than just ingest information?

33. Take another step

Look: I know achieving your goals is hard sometimes.

Just take another step… even if it’s a tiny one.

If you truly adopt this motto, you’ll already be more apt to succeed:

You’ll feel more accomplished (making you want to accomplish more), and you’ll be a tiny bit closer to doing what you want.

32. Whatever you are, be a good one

This motto is powerful because it is simple:

Do your best. That’s it.

Even if you’re not where you want to be (in your career, relationship, or in the gym), just do your best.

31. He who has a why to live can bear almost any how – Fredrick Nietzsche

Whatever your journey is, remember why you started it.

If you continuously spark that passion in yourself (by remembering why you are passionate), you’ll find how to make your dream happen.

30. You either evolve or disappear – Tupac Shakur

What happens to things that don’t grow? They die.

Plants, animals, people, and even careers and dreams will die if they don’t grow.

This motto reminds you to beware of not growing/evolving. If your dreams stay stagnant, they’ll completely disappear. Keep growing.

29. One thing at a time

When you feel overwhelmed, just remind yourself: one thing at a time.

Don’t worry about the things that bother/stress/pressure you… pick one important thing that you can fix today and do just that. Then tomorrow, choose another to fix.

Eventually, you will get it all done.

28. Know who you want to be, and take steps that point in that direction

Good news:

If you’re reading this list and choosing a motto, you’re already doing this…

…you’ve determined who you want to be and are taking steps to help you become that man. Don’t stop… keep trying to become better!

27. Appreciate what you have

It’s very easy to forget what you have to be thankful for.

When that happens, remind yourself to appreciate what you do have, and not focus on what you don’t have yet (for example: you have a computer/phone to read this, the education to understand the words, etc).

Don’t know what your blessings are? Check out this list of blessings to be thankful for.

26. Eyes on the prize

If you’re searching for motivation to reach your goal… this is a powerful motto for you.

It reminds you to not lose focus. Don’t get distracted by anything in your motivation for your goal.

25. Go to bed with dreams, wake up with a purpose

Go to bed with dreams means take time to reflect on the man you want to be. Let the passion for becoming a great man fill you with energy and good feelings.

Wake up with a purpose means do something about your dreams! Have a plan in place for the day, and use every minute you can to become that better man.

Go to bed with dreams, wake up with a purpose

24. Renew your passions daily – Terri Guillemets

There will be times that you can’t put all your focus on achieving the man you want to be… you’ll have to focus on obligations (family, paying bills, work) instead, and that’s fine.

But that doesn’t mean that you should ever forget about your passions. Renew your passion for being a better man every day. Don’t forget why you started this journey to self-improvement, and don’t give up on it.

23. If you can’t stop thinking about it… do it

Look, I get it:

It can be incredibly hard to start something new (a new job, new relationship, new hobby, etc.). The fear of failing with something new is very real for most men.

But many men could tell you, from experience, that they regret not doing that thing they couldn’t stop thinking about. Learn from them… just do it.

22. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take – Wayne Gretzsky

How do you become a better man? You might say learning, trying, building, working, practicing.

Did you notice that all of those things are actions?

You can’t become a better man if you’re inactive. You have to take a shot to be better.

21. Count your blessings

Look: you won’t always get exactly what you want (success, money, a girl) exactly when you want it.

But don’t forget that you do have a lot to be thankful for anyway.

Remember what you’ve been blessed with, and your happiness won’t depend on getting exactly what you want… your happiness will come from your blessings.

20. It will come to you

Look… a lot of men have trouble being patient (they want to get things done now).

But here’s the thing: you can be hugely happier if you practice patience.

Why? You won’t be exhausting yourself, searching for what you want constantly… and you won’t end up settling for something less that perfection.

Wait for the right thing (job, woman, or decision) to come to you.

19. Your pain today will be your strength tomorrow

Look:

Whatever you’re going through, it won’t always be painful.

When you get past it, you’ll know what made you succeed… and you’ll be strong enough to get through it again.

You’ll become stronger and stronger with practice, and more and more able to handle anything.

18. Beyond fear lives freedom

Fear is a hugely powerful force. It can hold back even incredibly capable men from doing what they want to do.

Once you leave fear behind, you get a huge freedom: freedom to pursue what you want unburdened.

It can be difficult, but remind yourself that you don’t need to be afraid to pursue being a better man: you’re strong and free, and can do it.

17. Courage is willingness to be afraid and act anyway – Dr. Robert Anthony

Courage doesn’t mean being afraid. Every man is afraid of failure, or rejection, or wasting time.

But courage does mean acting anyway. It’s looking at your fear straight in the face and saying, “I’m strong enough to do this”, and then doing it.

16. Don’t let little things break you

If you spend all your time worrying about little details, or getting upset by tiny setbacks, or quitting because of minuscule problems, you’ll never have time to actually reach your goals.

One tiny setback won’t destroy you. When they do happen, fix them and move on.

15. By endurance we conquer

Sometimes raw power or strength isn’t the reason a man is able to succeed.

In many circumstances (in a long career, a marriage, or a new healthy lifestyle), the man with the most endurance will be the one to succeed.

Endurance means not giving up, and not giving less than your best. If you want to be a better man, endure through the hard times and you’ll succeed.

By endurance we conquer

14. You can’t start a new chapter if you re-read the last one

If you’re focused on the past (either missing the glory days, or using a bad past as an excuse for a bad present), you can’t succeed today.

The next chapter of your life can’t be written if all you care about is the previous chapter.

Here’s the bottom line: focus on what’s happening right now, and what you can achieve today.

13. Do all the good you can

If you want your actions to make others happy, not just yourself, then this is a perfect motto for you.

… And you’ll probably find that you’re happier when you’re not focused on yourself.

Help others (to be successful, be fed, be happy) in any way you can.

12. He who has begun is half done – Horace

Have you noticed… sometimes just starting a project is the hardest part?

It’s incredibly hard to overcome the fears, doubts, and general reluctance to start something new (mostly because you don’t want it to fail).

But: if you imagine starting the project as the halfway point, and that starting is so important that it’s half the battle… your battles will begin to look incredibly smaller.

11. Action cures fear

This motto is ideal for men who experience a lot of self-doubt (and many men do).

When you do doubt yourself… for example, thinking that the girl you like will never agree to go out with you… remind yourself of your motto: that just acting will defeat your fear.

You can’t be scared of something you’ve already done, right?

10. Remember why you started

If you’re feeling discouraged in the middle of a project, this is a motto for you to live by.

Take a few minutes and really remember why you started this journey. Feel your passion for it, and visualize what succeeding will look like.

If you do this often, it can make it easier to persevere through the hard times.

9. Start chasing the passion – Tony Hsieh

Here’s a powerful call to action: chase your passion.

The success you want will only come to you if you start chasing it, right?

Don’t plan for it, worry about it, or dream about it. Do it.

8. Obstacles are stepping stones – Prescott

You probably haven’t ever achieved success without facing obstacles. Doubt. Fear. Adversity from others.

But think about this:

Did those obstacles make you stronger? Did they make you hunger for success even more?

See all obstacles as stepping stones to success, not impossible hurdles. Remind yourself that you can overcome them.

7. I am confident. I never give up – Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

“I am” statements are powerful.

Self-affirmation is highly likely to lead to success… which means that repeating “I am (a word describing the man you want to be)” will make you more likely to act like that man. source

6. We are what we repeatedly do – Aristotle

Do your best, because that makes you your best. Think about it:

You can’t be a better man if you’re don’t try harder than you have, right?

To be the best man you can, repeatedly do the things that will make you better.

5. Life is tough, but you are tougher

This is powerful self-affirmation:

Repeat to yourself that you are tougher than what you’re facing, and you’ll be more likely to act tougher!

Life is tough, but you are tougher

4. Don’t be the same. Be better

You can’t become a better man if you don’t change.

Staying the same, doing the same things, thinking the same things, and never pushing yourself will lead you to a sad, inevitable result:

You’ll be exactly the same man, never better, that you have always been.

So… grow, learn and change. Be better.

3. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

Your ‘comfort zone’ means the behaviors, people and places that you’re used to (that make you feel the most comfortable).

Now:

Living outside your comfort zone means being courageous and adventurous enough to leave what makes you comfortable, and finding what makes you a better man outside of it.

The man who chooses this as his motto thinks the best parts of living are the adventures and experiences (that make him a better man) that happen as soon as he’s brave enough to leave his comfort zone.

2. Fortune favors the bold

Think about this:

Have great men (Neil Armstrong, Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Einstein) accomplished everything they did by being cowardly/fearful?

Or course not. They were bold.

Their boldness, not blind luck, gave them great fortune. If you adopt this as your motto, remember to be like these great men: always bold.

1. Maximum effort

No matter what you do… work out, write a thesis, save money, etc. … do it your best.

Put the maximum effort into becoming a better man, and you’re that much more likely to do it!

How to Create a Personal Life Motto

If none of the mottos above seemed like the perfect fit for you, don’t worry:

Your personal motto should be highly relevant to your life, so you may not have found the perfect one for you yet.

But check this out:

You can very easily build your own motto by following the guidelines below.

Two Essential Rules of Good Mottos

1. Keep it short

Good mottos (unlike quotes) are usually very short… around 5 words (or less).

Why? Short mottos are easy to remember. This is a phrase that you want to repeat to yourself often… and won’t you remember a powerful 5-word phrase hugely more than a long 5-sentence quote?

2. Remember… the right motto makes you want to act

Your motto should be positive, uplifting, and most importantly: a call to action.

Its main purpose is to help drive your life in the direction that you want… and your life isn’t driving anywhere without some action. That means your motto (your driving force) should tell you how, actionably, to live.

For example… my motto tells me exactly what actions to take: have courage and be kind.

Two Strategies to Create a Highly Personal Motto

1. Combine three words that are powerful to you

A good motto doesn’t have to be about only one concept.

For example:

"Liberty, equality, fraternity” (the motto of the nation of France), covers three topics that the founders of France thought were vitally important.

Your motto can do the same thing. Choose words that inspire you, comfort you, and make you want to act.

2. Take a longer quote and shorten it

You can even take away the key words from a longer quote to form your own motto.

For example:

Turn this long quote from Helen Keller into a short, powerful motto:

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

INTO

 “Suffering strengthens me”, or “I turn suffering into success.”

In Conclusion

Choosing good mottos to live by is a powerful way to become a better man.

You’ll have a better idea of the man you want to be... know what decisions you make to help you become that man… and even be able to pass your mottos on to your family.

Live your life by good mottos, and you’ll be able to stay true to the man you want to be.