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Luis Javier López Arredondo

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What is the most motivational phrase you can come up with?

Rules:

- Universal, it has to be shared by everybody logically, so it cannot be based in faith, superstition or magic.
- Self explanatory, so it cannot be just an harangue, such as 'Yes, you can".
- The sorter the better.

I have been thinking myself but it is not easy. It should be something like 'I think therefore I exist', but more motivational than existential.

What can you come up with?

Topics: motivation quotes
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  • ethan langer

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    Jan 12 2012: Conceive it, believe it, achieve it.
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    Thomas Jones 100+

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    Jan 11 2012: Enjoy Life.

  • andreas westberg

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    Jan 2 2012: My favorite one: Dream as you will live forever, live as if you will die today. By James Dean
    Makes me get motivated to do things that iam uncertain about and it is allways good to keep in mind :)

  • Myles Horton

    • +1
    Jan 2 2012: My favourite of all phrases is MartinLuther King's "I have a dream!"
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    Robert Winner 50+

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    Jan 2 2012: Luis, Many years ago I present a speech to a graduating class and I offer its title to you for motivation.

    You really gotta wanta.

    I refered to inventors that state, "invention is 10% inspiration and 90% prespiration." Self motivation, work ethics, and the desire to succeed are some of the keys in accomplishment. Thus the hard work - You really gotta wanta.

    Good luck.
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      Luis Javier López Arredondo

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      Jan 2 2012: Thank you. I am really glad to have reached the same conclusión with the rule of the ONE, 'YOU really gotta wanta', with capital YOU.

  • Mary M. 100+

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    Jan 2 2012: "Let's Go!!!"
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    Jim Moonan 30+

    • +2
    Jan 1 2012: I didn't come up with this phrase, but it has served me well over the years as I do my best to teach:

    "It's not, 'How smart is the child/" It's, 'How is the child smart?"" -Jim Greenman, author, educator

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    Tuomas Kamppila

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    Jan 1 2012: That is a really good question and I don't know how to answer it. But let's answer it anyway. What would motivate me? I guess it has to do with how tiny we actually are compared to everything else in the universe. But it's a really hard question because I don't know how a mere sentence/phrase could motivate; it has a lot to do with the context.

    "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?"
    Steve Jobs, 2005
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    Julija L. 30+

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    TED Translator
    Jan 1 2012: Motivational phrase simply to be good for others, a reminder!
    People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
    Audrey Hepburn

  • ethan langer

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    Jan 1 2012: To think is to live

    CICERO, Tusc. Quast. v.38
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    Nicholas Lukowiak 50+

    • +1
    Jan 1 2012: Heaven isn't a physical place nor was the idea of heaven ever meant to be considered as one.

    • ethan langer

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      Jan 1 2012: So motivational!
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        Jim Moonan 30+

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        Jan 1 2012: Yes, it is. Here's another one: "God is a concept by which we measure our pain."

        • ethan langer

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          Jan 7 2012: That's not motivational. It's preaching.

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    natasha nikulina 50+

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    TED Translator
    Jan 1 2012: "Develop interest in life as you see it, in people, things, literature, music -
    the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people.
    Forget yourself !
    Maybe "the shorter the better" version you are searching for is " Forget yourself !"
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    Jamie Lee Mcfadden

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    Jan 1 2012: I am my own worst enemy....
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      Luis Javier López Arredondo

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      Jan 1 2012: Motivational? Then you'll kill yourself.

      Wouldn't be better: 'I am my best ally'

      Or change a bit yours: 'I am my own limitation', something like that.
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    Krisztián Pintér 200+

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    TED Translator
    Jan 1 2012: do it, or i pull the trigger

    works all the time
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      Luis Javier López Arredondo

      • +1
      Jan 1 2012: 'I prefer to die stood up to live on my knees'
      (just literally translated from Spanish, I don't know the exact saying in English)

      You will find someone who follow it, and its death will encourage others to rebel.
      FREEDOM!!! (William Wallace) :)
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      Jim Moonan 30+

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      Jan 1 2012: Krisztian, when have the words, "do it, or i pull the trigger" ever motivated you???
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    Luis Javier López Arredondo

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    Jan 1 2012: ¡HAPPY REBOOT!

    The name of my last article that concludes:
    'live each day like it was the first of the year with the same energy and enthusiasm'

    Perhaps it is not so self explanatory, but it has its logic, like I like it.

    • ethan langer

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      Jan 1 2012: Logic is boring.
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        Luis Javier López Arredondo

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        Jan 1 2012: An universal, but faith.
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        Jim Moonan 30+

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        Jan 1 2012: Ethan - What do you mean, "boring"? I have many very young students who claim a topic, subject, issue, etc. as "that's boring" when what they really mean is something quite different. So what do you mean by "Logic is boring."?
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    Theodore Koutmos

    • +1
    TED Translator
    Jan 1 2012: ''Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards''

    (Søren Aabye Kierkegaard)
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    Colleen Steen 500+

    • 0
    Jan 1 2012: "The winds of Grace are blowing all the time.
    It is up to us to raise our sails"
    (Ramakrishna)

    May our sails be full, and taking us in a good direction in 2012:>)
    Happy New Year:>)
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    Gerald O'brian 50+

    • +1
    Jan 1 2012: the universe may not collapse in 10 billion years after all.
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    Rebecca Purcell

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    Dec 31 2011: The one I felt I came up with (but could have heard someone else say) is an alteration of an harangue:
    "Things will work out, it just may not be the way you want."

    My second came from a close friend, who says, "When you're depressed, 'Clean your house and then take a shower!"
    Now, we all know depression can't necessarily be 'taken care of' like that, but I've tried it and it sure does make you feel a lot better! Plus, you'll have a clean house.

    • ethan langer

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      Jan 1 2012: The state of a persons house reflects their state of mind. Cleaning house is very theraputic, but only if you do it yourself.
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    Claudette Cohen

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    Dec 31 2011: Own your own mind; then refuse to let it own you.
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    edward long 100+

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    Dec 31 2011: Luis, if you are asking for the "most motivating phrase" I offer this: "Do it or you're fired!"However, if you are asking for the "best motivational phrase" I prefer, " the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans Chapter 6, verse 23-- the Holy Bible)
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      Phillip McKay

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      Jan 1 2012: Hope you dont use that gun then Ed.

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        edward long 100+

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        Jan 1 2012: Change your question to". . . SELF-MOTIVATING PHRASE. . . " that is important! You might consider the thought behind the following quote: "People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after." (Oliver Goldsmith).
        Thanks Luis.

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    • Mary M. 100+

      • +1
      Jan 1 2012: Edward, What do you think of this one?

      "If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm. Vince Lombardi
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        edward long 100+

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        Jan 2 2012: Mr. Lombardi was a brilliant motivator! I like the way he phrased it better than my way (above). Thanks, Mary.

      • ethan langer

        • +1
        Jan 4 2012: Great quote Mary!
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    Luis Javier López Arredondo

    • 0
    Dec 31 2011: Both from Kun Fu Panda 2, but great:

    "Your story may not have a happy beginning,
    but that does not take you to be who you are,
    who does that is the rest of your story, who you decide to be"

    "The only time that matters is present"
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    Colleen Steen 500+

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    Dec 31 2011: "Follow your heart" is a GREAT one Haley!

    OK...my contribution....."What we focus on expands".
    It's one of my favorites because it reminds me that we have choices:>)
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      Luis Javier López Arredondo

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      Dec 31 2011: Very good.

      You gave me other one: "Do not just repeat, always improve"

      Thank you.
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        Colleen Steen 500+

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        Dec 31 2011: Good one...you remind me...

        "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain"
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    Haley Florio

    • +2
    Dec 31 2011: Follow your heart. I don't know if that is just an harangue, but it helped me get to where I was today. Even though I'm only 13, it changed my life a lot.
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      Luis Javier López Arredondo

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      Dec 31 2011: Wow! Really young for having such a revelation :)

      I would add something: "Follow your heart and do not complain"

      You will find many people who followed their heart, but when something goes wrong, they only blame everybody but themselves, forgeting that they were who decided.

      Thank you Haley.
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