Why Just Do It Works for Nike

Nike came up with the slogan, Just Do It! several years ago. It is short but says so much. While Nike caters to sports because it sells sports-related apparel, anyone in any field can take advantage of the slogan for purposes of motivating themselves.

It’s simple. But, it conveys so much in meaning. If you have some trouble getting yourself motivated, just think to yourself, Just Do It! Or, have a friend say it. Heck, have multiple friends say it. Whatever it takes to get you going, whatever that happens to be.

Do you want a better job? Find one. Just Do It! Do you want to find a girlfriend? Just Do It! See how that works. When you tell yourself that over and over again, you realize that you’ve been holding yourself back. That is why the phrase is so powerful, and that is why Nike has been able to capitalize on it for so long.

Now, it takes more than a phrase to truly get going on motivation. You do have to take the initiative and actually do something with it. It’s one thing to be fired up about something but entirely another to take action. But, the phrase can help reinforce the message when you do get going.

Think of it as a Just Do It! moment. What is yours going to be? Maybe you want to run a marathon. It could be that you have wanted to pass the bar. Another possibility is you have wanted to take your family to Disney World. You know the drill: Just Do It!

Before you get all spontaneous and start spending money and going on trips, make sure you have the money and the time. This goes against the slogan a bit, but you don’t want to set yourself back financially or get fired from your job prematurely. Even if you are planning on leaving someday, it’s better to have something lined up than struggle to look for something and run out of money.

Also, start out small. Don’t try to take on a major project until you’re ready. The slogan works just as well for smaller projects as it does for bigger ones. Work your way up to the bigger projects.

After you get the hang of this motivational style by using the slogan to your advantage, you could start using it to help others become motivated. Show people how it can be applied to what they want to get accomplished. Have them start small and get them to Just Do It!