Better living through wisdom of the ages
August 27, 2008 12:44 PM   Subscribe

Plaque above the kitchen sink filter: "Action precedes motivation" is a succinct statement on how to bypass mental hurdles and move toward a better life. What's your most useful aphorism for creating a happier, more productive life?
posted by bbranden1 to Society & Culture (27 answers total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: This is pretty much chatfilter. -- cortex

 
"Never post chatfilter"
posted by desjardins at 12:45 PM on August 27, 2008 [2 favorites]


"The perfect is the enemy of the good" is probably the one I use the most in my life. And as I tell my fiancee all the time, "Not having fun is for suckers and chumps."
posted by vito90 at 12:47 PM on August 27, 2008


hang in there.
posted by doublesix at 12:50 PM on August 27, 2008


"Cooperate with the inevitable."
posted by Oriole Adams at 12:52 PM on August 27, 2008


"Give 'em enough rope..."
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 12:52 PM on August 27, 2008 [1 favorite]


"Superstition causes bad luck"
posted by Floydd at 12:54 PM on August 27, 2008


"Difficult things are often the hardest to do."
posted by lpsguy at 12:55 PM on August 27, 2008


Focus on the left side

Temporary <>
Isolated <>
External <-------- Personal
posted by any major dude at 12:58 PM on August 27, 2008


Ugh that didn't come out right, let's try again.


Focus on the left side

Temporary Permanent

Isolated Pervasive

External Personal
posted by any major dude at 1:00 PM on August 27, 2008


Be thankful.

Find joy in the small things.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 1:02 PM on August 27, 2008


Illegitimi non carborundum.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:06 PM on August 27, 2008


Chance favors the prepared.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 1:08 PM on August 27, 2008


Don't over think it.

You can sleep when you're dead.
posted by MsMolly at 1:08 PM on August 27, 2008


Do not confuse temptation with opportunity.

From a fortune cookie, no less. But it really helped my navigate some sticky personal situation.
posted by kimdog at 1:12 PM on August 27, 2008


"Shut up and ride."
posted by fixedgear at 1:13 PM on August 27, 2008


"Always read the rules before asking a question on Ask MetaFilter."

"Open-ended chatty questions that don't offer a problem to be solved are detrimental to the long term usefulness of the site."
posted by delfuego at 1:18 PM on August 27, 2008


"Rules are made to be broken"
posted by gyusan at 1:19 PM on August 27, 2008


"Tea revives you"
"Fortune Favors the Bold"
posted by gofargogo at 1:21 PM on August 27, 2008


"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" - HST
posted by stubby phillips at 1:27 PM on August 27, 2008


"Aphorisms don't make your life happier or more productive."

Oh come on, like he wasn't asking for it.
posted by JaredSeth at 1:32 PM on August 27, 2008


It is what it is.

Stay positive.

Hold steady.

Be more awesome.
posted by tigerbelly at 1:32 PM on August 27, 2008


Avoid the dull and ignorant
posted by midwestguy at 1:37 PM on August 27, 2008


every day above ground is a good day
posted by Redhush at 1:45 PM on August 27, 2008


Best answer: "You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do" - Henry Ford

Good judgement comed from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.
posted by rocket88 at 1:58 PM on August 27, 2008


Vast projects require more than half-vast efforts.

Can't never could.

As one vulture said to the other, "Fuck waiting, I'm gonna kill something."
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:04 PM on August 27, 2008


Always assume positive intent.
posted by dpx.mfx at 2:05 PM on August 27, 2008


Boredom is way underrated.
posted by Bruce H. at 2:06 PM on August 27, 2008


« Older Getting the Group out of Group Project   |   The Swedish Chef Would Answer This In Two Shakes Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.