Life can be a rollercoaster. One minute you’re on top of the world, and the next, you’re stuck in a rut wondering, What’s even the point? And sometimes, we all need a little boost to keep going. That’s where life mottos come into play—like a pocket-sized cheerleader reminding you to stay hopeful, aim high, and break through boundaries (or at least most of them!). They’re the pick-me-up we need—a little reminder to keep moving forward when the going gets tough.
So, whether you’re after a dose of motivation, a gentle nudge, or something to help you stay grounded, this list of life mottos is here to inspire and guide you. Let’s dive in and find the words that speak to you!
What are life mottos, and why do they matter?
A life motto is a simple, memorable phrase that captures a core belief or guiding principle. Think of it as your personal compass, keeping you on track through life’s ups and downs. Life mottos are beneficial because they:
- Motivate: they push you forward when the going gets tough.
- Clarify your goals: they remind you of what matters most.
- Build resilience: they help you bounce back from setbacks.
- Focus your energy: they guide your daily decisions and long-term priorities.
Whether you’re seeking wisdom, courage, or a little positivity, this list of 160 life mottos to live by will inspire and empower you daily. Pick the ones that resonate, and let them guide your journey.
Inspiring Life mottos to live by
1. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
2. “Live for today, plan for tomorrow, and learn from yesterday.”
3. “Progress, not perfection.”
4. “Happiness is a choice, not a result.”
5. “Bloom where you’re planted.”
6. “Do what you love, love what you do.”
7. “Every day is a second chance.”
8. “Go to bed with dreams; wake up with purpose.”
9. “Some of the best things in life are mistakes.”
10. “Stop trying to fit into places you’ve outgrown.”
11. “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”
12. “Dream big, work hard, stay humble.”
13. “Focus on the journey, not the destination.”
14. “Let your faith be bigger than your fear.”
15. “Treat people the way you’d like to be treated.”
16. “If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.”
17. “Find what you’d die for, and then live for it.”
18. “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.”
19. “As long as your breathing, it’s not too late to change your story.”
20. “Live simply, dream big, give more, expect less.”
21. “Today was good. Tomorrow will be better.”
22. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
23. “Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.”
24. “Don’t count the days, make the days count.”
25. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
26. “Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
27. “Inhale courage, exhale fear.”
28. “Do what you can with what you have, where you are.”
29. “Stay curious and keep exploring.”
30. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans.”
31. “Your vibe attracts your tribe.”
32. “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
33. “Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.”
34. “If you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain.”
35. “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.”
36. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
37. “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.”
38. “Do good, and good will come to you.”
39. “Turn your can’ts into cans and your dreams into plans.”
40. “Hustle until your haters ask if you’re hiring.”
41. “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
42. “Leave people better than you found them.”
43. “Say yes to new adventures.”
44. “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.”
45. “One small positive thought can change your whole day.”
46. “Be the energy you want to attract.”
47. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
48. “Chase the vision, not the money.”
49. “Be so good they can’t ignore you.”
50. “If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.”
51. “Don’t wait for opportunity; create it.”
52. “Be grateful for every step of the journey.”
53. “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”
54. “The only limit is the one you set yourself.”
55. “Turn obstacles into opportunities.”
56. “Let go of what you can’t control.”
57. “Live in the moment, but don’t lose sight of the future.”
58. “Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.”
59. “Adventure is out there—go find it!”
60. “Celebrate every victory, no matter how small.”
61. “Don’t overthink it—just begin.”
62. “Discipline equals freedom.”
63. “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
64. “Be grateful for every step of the journey.”
65. “Work hard in silence, let success be your noise.”
66. “Feed your focus, starve your distractions.”
67. “You can do hard things.”
68. “Life is tough, but so are you.”
69. “Find beauty in the chaos.”
70. “The comeback is always stronger than the setback.”
71. “Rise by lifting others.”
72. “Speak your truth, even if your voice shakes.”
73. “Your only limit is your mind.”
Powerful life mottos to live by
74. “Be a warrior, not a worrier.”
75. “Embrace the suck, but don’t stay there.”
76. “Great things never come from comfort zones.”
77. “Take the risk or lose the chance.”
78. “Every storm runs out of rain.”
79. “The best view comes after the hardest climb.”
80. “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.”
81. “Start each day with a grateful heart.”
82. “Own your story.”
83. “Make your mark on the world.”
84. “Small steps every day lead to big results.”
85. “Forgive others, not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace.”
86. “The best time to start was yesterday; the next best time is now.”
87. “Success is liking yourself, what you do, and how you do it.”
88. “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”
89. “Do more things that make you forget to check your phone.”
90. “Work hard in silence, let success be your noise.”
91. “Your attitude determines your direction.”
92. “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
93. “You’re one decision away from a completely different life.”
94. “Celebrate progress, not just perfection.”
95. “Hustle, but don’t lose your heart.”
96. “Life isn’t about finding yourself—it’s about creating yourself.”
97. “Stay patient, and trust your journey.”
98. “Live life with no regrets, only lessons.”
99. “Success is a journey, not a destination.”
100. “Have more than you show, speak less than you know.”
101. “If you’re tired of starting over, stop giving up.”
102. “Be happy for what you have while working for what you want.”
103. “The grass is greener where you water it.”
104. “Great things never come from comfort zones.”
105. “The best view comes after the hardest climb.”
106. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
107. “You didn’t come this far to only come this far. Keep going.”
108. “Vision without action is a daydream.”
109. “It doesn’t get easier. You just get stronger.”
110. “It’s not about having the best of everything, it’s about making the most out of what you have.”
111. “If your dreams don’t scare you, they are too small.”
112. “A year from now, you will wish you started today.”
113. “Grow through what you go through.”
114. “If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, not the goal.”
115. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
116. “Life is too short to spend it at war with yourself.”
117. “Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.”
118. “Everything happens for a reason.”
119. “Slowly is the fastest way to where you want to be.”
120. “Nothing worth having comes easy.”
Short life mottos that are just as powerful
121. “Kindness costs nothing.”
122. “Keep moving forward.”
123. “What you think, you become.”
124. “Strive for progress, not perfection.”
125. “Enjoy the little things in life.”
126. “This too shall pass.”
127. “Do it with passion or not at all.”
128. “One day at a time.”
129. “Live each day as if it’s your last'”
130. “Keep moving forward.”
131. “Less is more.”
132. “When you know better, do better.”
133. “Keep calm and carry on.”
134. “You are stronger than you think.”
135. “Success is not final; failure is not fatal.”
136. “Choose happiness every day.”
137. “Learn to rest, not to quit.”
138. “Run your own race.”
139. “Make today count.”
140. “Dreams don’t work unless you do.”
141. “I bend, but I do not break.”
142. “Laughter is the best medicine.”
143. “Tomorrow is another day.”
144. “Smile more, worry less.”
145. “Turn your pain into power.”
146. “Trust the timing of your life.”
147. “Better an “oops” than a “what if.””
148. “No pain, no gain.”
149. “Stop and smell the roses.”
150. “One thing at a time.”
151. “Have courage and be kind.”
152. “Endings are also beginnings.”
153. “Old ways don’t open new doors.”
154. “Expect the unexpected.”
155. “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
156. “Walk a mile, see a mile.”
157. “Count your blessings.”
158. “Work hard, play hard.”
159. “We are what we repeatedly do.”
160. “Live life on your terms.”
How to use these life mottos
- Write them down: keep them visible—on your mirror, phone, wall or journal.
- Use them as affirmations: repeat them to yourself when you need encouragement.
- Inspire others: share your favorites to uplift someone else.
Final thoughts
And there you have it—160 life mottos to spark your inspiration, lift your spirits, and remind you just how capable you are. Life’s not always easy, but with the right words guiding you, it’s a whole lot more manageable—and even exciting!
