How a motto can help you glow | Elle Evanter | TEDxSaintAndrewsSchool

Key Concepts

• Family motto
• "If you don't try, you don't get" (Naughty Nog)
• Motivation, perseverance, and hard work
• Personal vision and success
• Models/Mottos for self-improvement and guidance

The Origin and Meaning of "Naughty Nog"

The speaker introduces "Naughty Nog," a family motto passed down through four generations, originating with his great-grandfather, Larry Goodman. The full phrase is "If you don't try, you don't get," emphasizing the importance of effort and hard work to achieve goals. The speaker's grandfather, John Goodman, abbreviated it to "Naughty Nog" for his license plate due to character limits. He embraced the motto wholeheartedly, displaying it on his belongings and even tattooing it on himself.

Generational Examples of Embodying "Naughty Nog"

The speaker provides examples of how different generations of his family have lived by the "Naughty Nog" motto:

• Great-Grandfather: Persistently courted his great-grandmother despite initial rejection, leading to a 60-year marriage.
• Grandfather: Expanded his company nationally despite skepticism, acquiring over 10 companies in 10 years.
• Mother: Successfully took over the HR department without prior experience, learning on the job.
• Speaker: Overcame initial doubts to write and deliver the speech itself, after working on it for six months.

Call to Action: Embodying "Naughty Nog"

The speaker encourages the audience to embody "Naughty Nog" by taking initiative and stepping outside their comfort zones. Examples include raising hands in class, sitting at a new table at lunch, trying out for a sports team, or reaching out to a new friend.

The Power of Models and Mottos

The speaker emphasizes the positive impact of models and mottos on personal growth and success, citing research from Psychology Today (2015) and Forbes (2019):

• Psychology Today (2015): Models can positively influence individuals and those around them, strengthening mental health and fostering better habits.
• Forbes (2019): Having a personal vision (expressed through a motto) aligns individuals for success, preventing distractions and promoting positive thinking.

The speaker references Busy Living Better, highlighting three key functions of models:

1. Maintaining focus on desired identity (a "north star").
2. Serving as reminders to pursue goals.
3. Providing inspiration and a calming influence.

Creating Your Own Motto: Guidelines

The speaker provides guidelines for creating a personal motto, based on the Forbes article:

1. Connect to Recent Struggles: Relate the motto to current challenges to enhance its relevance and usefulness.
2. Keep it Short and Sweet: Ensure the motto is easily memorable.
3. Make it General and Reliable: Design the motto to be applicable across various situations.

The speaker reiterates the option of using "Naughty Nog" as a starting point.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by challenging the audience to reflect on their lives and create their own family motto, emphasizing the potential positive impact on their lives. The core message is that having a guiding principle, like "Naughty Nog," can drive individuals to strive for their best selves and achieve their goals through perseverance and hard work.