50 Best Mottos to Live By

Some days, you feel ready for whatever comes your way. Other days, one disappointing grade or awkward conversation can leave you second-guessing everything. Having a few mottos to live by can give you something encouraging to remember in those moments. Whether you’re working toward a goal, navigating friendships, or figuring out what matters to you, a simple phrase can remind you how you want to handle whatever happens next.

Life mottos are typically phrases that you develop over time. When you hear one that you like, you stick to it. That being said, if we’ve put this list together for people who are looking for mottos to live by, or simply want to see some examples.

What Is a Motto?

A motto is a short phrase that expresses a belief, value, or guiding principle. Think of it as a reminder of what matters to you and how you want to live. Your motto might encourage you to try something new, treat people kindly, or keep going when things get difficult.

You don’t have to choose one motto and stick with it forever. Different sayings might speak to you at different times. You could write a favorite on your notebook, use it as your phone wallpaper, or simply keep it in mind when you need a little encouragement.

Mottos to Live By

Whether you’re looking for a new motto, or just want to see some examples, we’ve put together this list of 50 of the best mottos to live by!

1. Aim for progress, not perfection.
2. Let yourself be a beginner.
3. Move at your own pace.
4. Do the next doable thing.
5. Practice before you judge yourself.
6. Make room for curiosity.
7. Let your actions match your values.
8. Choose kindness, including toward yourself.
9. Listen to understand.
10. Leave room at the table.
11. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
12. Own your mistakes and your next steps.
13. You can be kind and say no.
14. Choose friends you can be yourself around.
15. Let people earn your trust.
16. Someone else’s success isn’t your failure.
17. Your interests don’t need everyone’s approval.
18. Speak up for what matters.
19. Pause before you post.
20. You don’t have to attend every argument.
21. Ask for help before you have all the words.
22. Rest belongs in the plan.
23. Your worth is bigger than a number.
24. A hard day doesn’t define your whole life.
25. Change your mind when you learn something new.
26. You can outgrow an old goal.
27. Be brave enough to care.
28. Focus on what you can control.
29. Make mistakes worth learning from.
30. Celebrate the effort nobody saw.
31. Spend your attention on purpose.
32. Enjoy things without turning them into achievements.
33. Notice the ordinary good.
34. Appreciate what you have while working toward what you want.
35. Check the facts before believing the story.
36. Give your future self a little help.
37. Build a life you enjoy participating in.
38. Keep getting to know yourself.
39. Honesty is the best policy.
40. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
41. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
42. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
43. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
44. Waste not, want not.
45. Health is wealth.
46. Laughter is the best medicine.
47. Strike while the iron is hot.
48. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
49. Work smarter, not harder.
50. Leave it better than you found it.

Benefits of Having a Life Motto

Life mottos are simple reminders of what matters to you the most. You likely already have ideas and feelings about what is important to you, and having a motto helps put those thoughts into words. When you’re facing a tough decision, feeling discouraged, or getting caught up in what other people think, a few familiar words can help you choose your next steps. A motto like “Aim for progress, not perfection” can take some pressure off, while “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” can encourage you to try something new.

Take some time and think about which life mottos resonate the most. Mottos are great because they are easily shared, and you can have multiple of them as well!

How to Put Your Motto Into Practice

Life mottos are most useful when you find ways to apply it to everyday situations. For example, you choose “let yourself be a beginner” as a life motto, you might become more open to trying new activities. If your motto is “leave room at the table”, you could become more welcoming to new friends at lunch. Small changes like these can help you turn your motto into a habit.

You can also use your motto to help you set a goal. For example, “give your future self a little help” might encourage you to study more and get better grades. Think about one thing you could do this week that puts your favorite motto into action.