The Meaning
Behind the Meaning
Famous quotations come from all sorts of places, people, and
circumstances and cover all kinds of topics and issues. We use them to pick ourselves,
to motivate ourselves and others, to express our deepest feelings and best
ideas, and to prove a point. Familiar quotes often become mantras we follow for
the rest of our lives. They can be powerful and inspiring, moving and
motivating. But what is it about them that makes them so reflective of us and
our values?
Homonymic Phrases
Homonyms are words with similar pronunciation, but very
different meanings (think stalk or left, for example). A homonymic phrase then is a saying that
relies on the double-meaning of an idea or word that then elicits a strong
response (often like the punch line of a joke). For example, one of our Office
Wall Quotes designs uses this text: “The
only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary.” This phrase
inspires because it is accurate on multiple levels; success certainly does come
before work, “s” definitely occurs before “w” in the dictionary, and no one can
be truly successful at anything if they don’t put in the work first. Because these
kinds of quotes are a play on words, they stick with us. And because they also ring true to our known
values and ideas, we feel we can apply it to ourselves, creating self-efficacy,
or our belief in our own ability to succeed. This also contributes to the
quote’s “staying power” and why we continue to remember it.
The Coaching Factor
Sometimes phrases are structured as instructions with a
heavy use of verbs. This is especially the case for many of our Sports Wall Quotes
designs. When a trainer coaches a team or an individual, he issues commands over
and over to push them and to remind them of their goals and the victory that awaits
them if they’ll work hard for it. Quotes like “Work.
Sweat. Achieve.” and “Don’t
limit your challenges, challenge your limits” work because they mimic the
coaching experience with strong, imperative verbs.
Primal Instinct
Resonation
We humans are aspirational creatures. We want to be the best
at what we do and we choose role models and leaders among those who are the
best at what they do. Quotes that come from great political leaders and sports
figures hold a lot of weight because of their experience. Their accomplishments and experience have
earned them the right to offer advice. Additionally, phrases and sayings
attributed to someone with a recognizable name resonates more with us than
those that don’t. One of our Sports Wall Quotes designs, “You
miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” is pretty inspiring on its own, but
it’s even more powerful because it is Wayne Gretzky, an NHL hall of famer, who
said it.
Whether it be in a corporate boardroom, kids’ bedroom wall,
kitchen, or living room, quotes can motivate and change how we think and how we
see the world around us. Vinyl wall decals are one of the very best ways to
display those quotes that mean the most to you and your family. They’re affordable,
easy to install, and offer a big impact in any room. Choose from our well-curated collections, or design your very own quote at wallquotes.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment