Words for Encouragement
Real encouragement is specific. Generic pep-talk language (“you got this!”, “you're amazing!”) wears thin. The encouragement people remember names something they actually did and offers belief in what they're about to do.
Specific encouragement verbs
Believing in them
I believe you canI've seen you doyou're built for thisthis is your kind of problem
Recognizing effort
the work you've put inthe care you takehow hard you triedyou showed up
Reframing setbacks
this is the messy middleyou're closer than it feelsevery iteration countsthe next one is sharper
Before & after
Before
You got this!
After
I've watched you handle harder problems than this. You'll figure it out.
Before
Don't give up!
After
The work you've put in this month is exactly what gets people through this stage.
Tips
- Name the specific behavior you're encouraging.
- Avoid “but” — it undoes the encouragement (“great work, but…”).
- Encourage before they ask. Unsolicited belief is the most powerful form.